Santa Barbara Burn Injury Attorney

Written by:

Few injury types are as catastrophic as burns. Even minor or moderate burn injuries can result in intolerable pain, loss of function, and permanent scarring. And the expenses go well beyond the cost of medical treatment. If you have a serious burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, you could miss months of work as you try to reverse the damage.

Maho | Prentice, LLP is a Santa Barbara, CA personal injury law firm that represents individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries due to the negligence of others. Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that you don’t have to pay out of pocket for professional legal advice. Our law firm only collects their fees if you receive a settlement or court award. Call today for immediate representation.

Causes of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are a common occurrence in California. In fact, approximately half a million people go to the emergency room every year with burns. Here are some of the most frequent causes of burn injuries.

Vehicle Collisions

Burn injuries are rare when it comes to minor car collisions. However, when the accident is severe enough to cause the vehicle to ignite, the risk of sustaining a serious injury is much higher. In commercial trucking accidents, there is also the risk of chemical burns.

Chemical Burns

Many manufacturers employ the use of corrosive chemicals and solvents. If these come in contact with the skin, you could sustain a serious burn injury.

Hot Surfaces

Skin contact with hot surfaces can cause serious burns. An uninsulated pipe, for example, may not appear dangerous until you touch it and the damage is done.

Electrical Burns

Exposed live wires can cause burns when they come in contact with the skin. Unfortunately, this is a common accident on construction sites.

Food and Beverages

Hot food plates, cups, or bowls containing hot liquids can be a burn hazard. If you’ve sustained burns due to the improper handling of food or beverages, you may have a personal injury case.

How Burns are Ranked

Burns are categorized as first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, and fourth-degree. The following is a breakdown of how attorneys and medical providers grade burns.

First Degree

A first-degree burn is a very mild burn that only affects the outer layer of the skin. The skin may be red and irritated but not blistered. This is the equivalent of a mild sunburn. It may be painful, but it usually heals quickly.

Second Degree

These burns penetrate the epidermis to the dermis. These burns are painful and often blister. However, with medical treatment, the skin can fully recover without scarring.

Third Degree

This is the destruction of the epidermis and dermis. A third-degree burn may penetrate to the subcutaneous tissue of the skin. There will be heavy blistering, and the skin can appear white, blackened, or charred. Without skin grafts, scarring is likely.

Fourth Degree

Fourth-degree burns go below the skin to the muscle and bone. Nerve endings are destroyed, and the injuries are often permanent.

What You Should Do if You Sustain a Burn Injury

All injuries are different, but there are things you can do to mitigate the damage, speed your recovery, and protect your legal case. The following information is not intended as legal or medical advice:

Seek medical attention immediately. Take advantage of whatever first aid is available at the accident scene.
If the injury occurred at a business or on another type of premise, let the manager know you’ve been burned and ask them to complete an incident report.
If you can, take photos of your injury, the scene as it is at the time of the accident, warning signs, and anything else that you think offers evidence about what happened.
Get the names and contact information of any witnesses or employees who may have observed the incident.
Contact a burn injury attorney who is well versed in this area of tort law. In Santa Barbara, California, that’s Maho | Prentice, LLP. Our experienced attorneys can review any offer you receive from the insurance company and fight for a full and fair settlement on your behalf. Because we work on a contingency basis, you don’t have to pay out of pocket for our professional legal services. Call today!

Damages in a Case Involving Burn Injuries

If you’ve been injured in an accident, you could face medical bills, lost wages, follow-up procedures, and more. Damages that have a direct monetary cost are called economic damages. But the law also recognizes that being in an accident can be a painful and life-changing experience. General damages seek to compensate the plaintiff for these types of intangible expenses.

Because total damages are often difficult to predict, it’s essential that you retain the services of an accident attorney before accepting a settlement offer from an insurer.