Some burn injury victims may be entitled to compensation
Each year during the first full week of February, the American Burn Association sponsors Burn Awareness Week. The purpose of this event is to raise awareness of the dangers of burn injuries, share information about burn injury prevention, and raise funds for research in the field of burn injury treatment.
Burn injuries are a major cause of accidental deaths and injuries in the US. According to the American Burn Association, there were about 486,000 burn injuries between 2011 and 2015. This includes not only burn injuries from fires, but also other types of burn injuries such as scalding injuries, burns from contact with a hot object, electrical burns, and chemical burns.
Most burn injuries are treatable. From 2011, to 2015, over 90 percent of burn victims who went to the emergency room for treatment were treated and released the same day. However, even a minor burn injury can result in pain and scarring. In the case of more serious burn injuries requiring hospitalization, pain and scarring can be much more severe and there is also the possibility of life-long physical disabilities.
Do You Have a Right to Compensation for Burn Injuries?
During Burn Awareness Week, it is also important to spread awareness of the fact that some burn victims may be entitled to compensation. If the burns were sustained due to another party’s negligence, the victim (or the family of a deceased victim) can seek compensation from that party in a personal injury lawsuit. Examples of situations where it may be possible to seek compensation for burn injuries include:
- A vehicle fire after an accident caused by another driver
- A house fire caused by faulty electrical work
- A contact burn from a defective product
Burn Injuries at Work
According to the American Burn Association, most serious burn injuries requiring treatment at a burn center occur in the home, and just 8 percent occur at work. When burn injuries happen at work, workers may be entitled to compensation. This compensation may come from workers’ compensation insurance or, in the case of an injury caused by the negligence of a third party (not the employee or the employer), a personal injury claim.
Consult an Attorney Today
When seeking compensation for burn injuries, it is important to work with an experienced burn injury attorney who can help ensure all your damages are properly documented and quantified. To learn more about what your burn injury case may be worth, contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 today.
