Burn Injury

Seeking Compensation for Burn Injury Victims Throughout Florida

If you have suffered a burn injury in Florida, you may be experiencing a variety of severe physical and emotional challenges. Burn injuries often lead to scarring — which can be disfiguring, as well as contractures that restrict range of motion. Burns can also cause chronic pain, nerve damage, and in severe cases, loss of mobility or limbs. These injuries drastically affect a victim’s daily life, and they can be financially devastating. However, you may have legal recourse. A Florida burn injury attorney at Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers can guide you through the complex legal process to seek appropriate compensation to help you cover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident if it was caused by someone else’s carelessness.

We are prepared to help gather evidence, establish the at-fault party’s negligence, and negotiate with insurance companies to seek an appropriate settlement to account for your many losses caused by the accident. Burn victims often grapple with trauma, depression, and anxiety. Simple activities you may have once enjoyed might now be difficult or impossible. Medical expenses for emergency care, surgeries, skin grafts, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment can quickly accumulate. In cases involving temporary or permanent inability to work, lost income adds to this financial strain.

Let the team at Britto & Herman handle the legal aspects of the case, reducing some of the stress associated with this traumatic event so you can focus on your recovery. Contact our experienced Florida burn injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation, where we will assess the details of your unique injury case.

Common Causes and Types of Burn Accident Injuries in Florida

Burn injuries are quite common and can occur in various scenarios, often leading to severe physical and emotional trauma. Here are some common causes of burn accident injuries:

• Fire or Flame: This is the leading cause of burn injuries, accounting for about 46% of such cases. This can occur during house and industrial fires, car accidents, or unsafe use of firecrackers and other flammable objects.
• Scalds: These are burns caused by steam, hot liquids, or foods, and they make up around 32% of burn injury cases. Scalding is particularly common at home and in the workplace.
• Thermal Burns: These burns are related to heat sources that raise the temperature of the skin and cause tissue cell death or charring. Fire or flame, scalds, and contact with hot objects usually cause thermal burns. Touching hot surfaces or objects like stoves, irons, or heated industrial equipment can cause these types of burns.
• Electrical Burns: These occur when a person comes into direct contact with electricity, which can happen due to faulty wiring or misuse of electrical devices.
• Chemical Burns: These are caused by contact with corrosive substances, such as those often found in cleaning products, industrial chemicals, or certain types of plants.
• Radiation Burns: These burns are caused by exposure to radiation, a common source being the sun. Other sources can include tanning booths or certain types of medical treatment.

Burn injuries can range in severity, and this is categorized by degrees. The different degrees of burns include the following:

• First-Degree Burns: These are the least severe type of burn, affecting only the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). Symptoms of a first-degree burn include redness and minor inflammation. Sunburn is a common example of a first-degree burn.
• Second-Degree Burns: This type of burn affects both the epidermis and the dermis (second layer of skin). They often cause blisters, and the skin may have a splotchy appearance. Pain, swelling, and red, white or splotchy skin are typical symptoms.
• Third-Degree Burns: These burns reach into the fat layer beneath the skin. Burned areas may be black, brown or white. The skin may appear leathery. Third-degree burns can destroy nerves, causing numbness.
• Fourth-Degree Burns: These are burns of the highest degree of severity, extending through every layer of skin and underlying tissues, potentially involving muscle and bone. Areas may be charred black or appear dry and white.

Due to the severity and potential complications, all burns — especially those beyond first degree — require immediate medical attention. Severe burns can be life-changing, or even deadly. If you suffer a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, consult with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney who can guide you through the process to seek compensation for your injuries through a personal injury claim.

Liability and Fault for Burn Injuries in Florida

To prove liability and establish fault in a burn injury claim under Florida law, one must demonstrate the four key elements of negligence:

1. Duty of Care: This refers to the legal obligation one party has to avoid causing harm to another. For instance, a landlord has a duty of care to ensure the premises are safe for tenants.
2. Breach of Duty: The plaintiff and their lawyer must prove that the defendant breached their duty of care by acting or failing to act in a certain way. For example, if a landlord knows about faulty wiring but does nothing to fix it, they have breached their duty of care.
3. Causation: It must be proven that the defendant’s breach of duty directly caused the plaintiff’s burn injuries. If the faulty wiring mentioned above sparked a fire that caused the tenant’s burns, causation has been established.
4. Damages: Lastly, the plaintiff (and their lawyer) must show they suffered actual damages (like medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering) due to the defendant’s negligence.

It’s important to note that Florida operates under a modified comparative negligence system. Under this system, Florida burn injury victims who are partially responsible for their injuries would have their compensation reduced by their percentage of fault. Injury victims determined to be over 50% responsible for their injuries would not be able to seek any financial compensation.

Because proving these elements can be complex, it’s crucial for burn victims to work with an experienced Florida burn injury lawyer who can gather evidence required to effectively argue burn injury claims on your behalf.

Types of Damages and Evaluating Your Burn Injury Case

In a Florida burn injury claim, victims may be entitled to various types of damages, which can be broadly categorized into economic, noneconomic, and in some cases, punitive damages:

• Economic Damages: These are quantifiable financial losses incurred due to the injury. They include medical expenses (like hospital bills, medication costs, and future medical care), lost wages, and loss of earning capacity.
• Noneconomic Damages: These are more subjective and pertain to the emotional and psychological impact of the injury. Noneconomic damages may cover such harms and losses as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement.
• Punitive Damages: While not common, punitive damages may be awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly reckless or egregious. These are intended to punish the defendant and deter similar behavior in the future. Your attorney can assess whether punitive damages may be applicable to your case.

The valuation of a burn injury case depends on these damages, considering factors like severity of the burns, extent of medical treatment required, the victim’s age and occupation, and the degree of negligence involved.

An experienced Florida burn injury accident lawyer can assess and evaluate your burn injury claim during a free consultation to estimate the compensation you may be able to seek based on the unique details of your case.

How a Florida Burn Injury Lawyer Can Help

A Florida burn accident injury attorney at Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers can provide substantial help to a person who has suffered a burn injury in several ways:

• Case Evaluation: Your attorney can assess the merits of your case, identify potential defendants, and provide an estimate of potential compensation.
• Evidence Collection: Your injury lawyer can help gather necessary evidence such as medical records, accident reports, and witness testimonies to establish negligence and causation.
• Negotiation with Insurance Companies: Your attorney can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to seek fair compensation.
• Legal Representation: If your case goes to trial, your experienced trial attorney will represent you in court, presenting your case and arguing on your behalf.
• Understanding Complex Laws: Legal procedures can be complex and overwhelming. Our experienced Florida burn injury attorneys can guide you through the process, ensuring all legal requirements are met as we pursue justice and appropriate compensation on your behalf.

Starting with a free consultation, a Florida burn accident injury attorney can guide you in seeking financial recovery for your losses and protecting your injury claim. During this consultation, the attorney will discuss your case, explain your rights, and outline the steps involved in pursuing a claim.

Schedule a Free Case Evaluation Today with Britto & Herman Injury Lawyers to Explore Your Florida Burn Injury Case

At Britto & Herman, we help burn injury victims navigate personal injury law to to seek their financial compensation to support their recovery, financial security, and long-term well-being. If you have suffered serious burns due to someone else’s carelessness, our experienced Florida burn injury lawyers can pursue an injury claim to seek the maximum appropriate compensation for your medical treatment, expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other losses you have incurred. We serve residents in all Florida counties, and we are ready to help you strategize your next steps.

Contact us today at our Florida law firm to schedule a free case evaluation and discuss your burn accident injury claim with one of our skilled and knowledgeable personal injury lawyers by calling (561) 835-5555(561) 835-5555 or filling out our online form. Let us advocate for your rights.

We have recovered millions for Florida residents through accident claims for personal injuries. Our track record demonstrates our unwavering dedication to seeking justice for injury victims. Unlike many other Florida personal injury law firms, we are well-prepared to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in court if it is necessary. We are available 24/7 to fight for you.

The Voice for Florida Injury Victims

Frequently-Asked Questions Regarding Burn Injury Cases in Florida

What are common types of burn injuries in accidents in Florida?

Common types of burn injuries include thermal burns, chemical burns, electrical burns, and radiation burns. Burn injuries range in degree from First-Degree Burns (which are least severe and only affect the outer layer of the skin) to Fourth-Degree Burns (the highest severity, which extend through every layer of skin and tissues — potentially also involving muscle and bone). Scenarios involving fire, hot surfaces, scalding, chemicals, or electrocution can lead to burn injuries.

Who can be held liable in a burn accident in Florida?

In addition to the person or entity directly responsible, other parties such as product manufacturers or property owners could potentially be held liable for burn accident injuries — depending on the circumstances. Discuss the events surrounding your burn injury with your attorney.

How do burn injuries affect personal injury claims in Florida?

Burn injuries often lead to substantial medical expenses and long-term care, which can significantly increase the potential compensation in a personal injury claim. The severity of the burns, their impact on the burn victim’s life, medical treatment and therapy expenses, and a variety of case-specific factors can heavily influence the value of a burn injury claim. An experienced Florida burn injury attorney can assess your unique case.