Understanding the Severity Levels of Burn Injuries and Their Legal Implications

It is likely that you have burned yourself at least once in your life. Perhaps you touched a hot pan or other cooking dish, or maybe you splashed boiling water on your hand. Such burns are typically mild, but what happens when you sustain a more severe burn? If you have suffered an injury because of another party’s conduct, understanding the severity levels of burn injuries and their legal implications is important for any resulting claim you choose to pursue.

At Cava Law Firm, our seasoned personal injury lawyers can help you fight for compensation if you are struggling with losses after an accident in Massachusetts that resulted in burn injuries. With our decades of experience and our dedication to fiercely advocate for our clients, we can assist you through every step of the claims process.

Contact Cava Law Firm at (413) 737-3430 or (413) 781-CAVA (2282) to speak with a trusted personal injury attorney today. 

Understanding Burn Severity Levels

What to Expect From Each Type

Burns can require mild, over-the-counter treatment or emergency care at a burn unit. Take a closer look at the various types of burn injuries our personal injury lawyers have encountered from clients.

First-Degree Burns

First-degree burns are superficial wounds that affect only the top layer of your skin. You might notice your skin is red and swollen with a first-degree burn. If you have ever had a mild sunburn, then you have experienced a first-degree burn. Typically, these burns do not require a lot of medical care.

Aside from mild sunburns, you might get a first-degree burn if you spill a hot drink on your hand or if your water heater malfunctions and scalds you. Although these burns are not likely to send you to the hospital, they can still cause significant distress, especially to children.

Second-Degree Burns

Second-degree burns are more serious. They not only affect the top layer of your skin but also impact the layer beneath it. Blistering is common, and the pain may be greater. Coming into contact with an open flame or liquids that are past the boiling point can result in these burns. Electrical burns can also be a cause, which can occur if you touch a malfunctioning appliance.

Often, second-degree burns require that you get fast medical care to avoid scarring and to manage the pain. Recovering from these burns could take up to several weeks, which could prevent you from going to work.

Third-Degree Burns

The most serious burns are third-degree burns. They impact your top skin layers, muscles, tendons, and even organs. The skin around the area can look white. Third-degree burns can be the result of coming into prolonged contact with an extremely hot object or an open flame. Acids and other chemicals can also cause them.

Almost all the time, third-degree burns require skin grafts. As a result, there is a serious risk of permanent scarring and disfigurement with these burns. People with third-degree burns often have to spend a significant amount of time in burn units, followed by rehabilitative treatments and reconstructive surgeries. Depending on where the burn occurred, it is possible to not be able to function normally enough to continue working or lead a normal life. In the worst cases, these burns can be fatal.

Your Legal Options After a Burn Injury

If the burn injury you suffered was the result of someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim. These claims allow you to recover damages for your losses. But who is liable in such a claim? The answer will depend on what caused the burn.

If the burn occurred because of a malfunctioning boiler, for example, after you told your landlord that it was not working correctly, then they could be liable for not taking the time to fix the issue. In some instances, it could be the manufacturer who is at fault. If they built a water boiler that overheated, then you may be able to hold them responsible for your injuries.

Manufacturers can be liable for any of the products they make that cause burns. This includes chemicals. Cleaning products that do not have thorough and clear warnings can result in severe caustic burns, for example.

It is always important to consult with an attorney. They can help you pinpoint what parties you can hold liable. Your lawyer can also start gathering evidence that shows how the injury occurred, how severe it was, and how long it will take you to recover. All of this information can have an impact on the compensation you receive.

Damages Available in a Burn Injury Claim

Economic and Non-Economic Damages Available

In Massachusetts, you have the right to claim both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that compensate you for quantifiable financial losses. These include all of the medical expenses you incurred as a result of the burn. If you require ongoing or long-term medical care, that can also be covered by economic damages.

It is possible that you need to take time off from work to recover, especially if you suffered a second- or third-degree burn. This results in lost wages. Economic damages compensate you for these losses and can even cover loss of earning potential if you will not be able to work in the future because of the injuries.

On the other hand, non-economic damages compensate you for losses that do not have a price tag. These include pain and suffering, loss of consortium if you lost a loved one, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Winning Is No Accident With Cava Law Firm

Suffering injuries because of another party’s negligent conduct should not spell out disaster for you. At Cava Law Firm, our seasoned team of personal injury lawyers can provide the trusted guidance you need when filing a claim. Let us help you fight for the justice you deserve after suffering a burn injury in Massachusetts.

Call (413) 737-3430 or (413) 781-CAVA (2282) to schedule a free consultation with a skilled burn injury attorney in Springfield today.

Attorney Jennifer L. Cava-Foreman

Attorney Jennifer L. Cava-Foreman would like to take the guesswork out of choosing a lawyer by letting the facts and her winning verdicts speak for themselves. Attorney Cava-Foreman is known in the local courts and has firsthand experience with many types of cases ranging from personal injury to criminal defense. Attorney Cava-Foreman understands that every case and every client is different. Whether a client is injured or mixed up in a criminal matter, she will provide the legal advice needed and stand up for her client in court. [ Attorney Bio ]