Burn Injury Attorney in Washington DC

There’s no question that burn injuries can change your life forever. You already know that the outcome of medical treatment comes with no guarantees, leaving you with an uncertain future and putting your future in jeopardy.

No matter what type of burn you suffered, you should know that compensation is possible if someone else is responsible for what happened. Washington, D.C. personal injury laws allow burn victims to pursue money for a wide range of losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and the pain they endure. An experienced Washington burn injury attorney can help you demand the money you deserve.

At Marks & Harrison, we take pride in helping injured people obtain justice for injuries caused by others’ negligence. For over 100 years, we have advocated for accident victims in Washington, D.C., and the surrounding areas. If you or a loved one sustained severe burns in the District of Columbia, contact us today for a free consultation with a proven burn injury lawyer.

What Are the Different Types of Burn Injuries?

No matter which type of burns you suffered, our law firm can help:

• Thermal burns – Exposure to fire or contact with a scorching surface can cause thermal burns.
• Scald burns – Scalding occurs when the body touches boiling or hot liquids and steam.
• Electrical burns – When electrical currents pass through a person’s body, burns may arise at the sites where the electricity enters and exits the body. Electrical burns can also cause internal damage in the process, such as injuries to the heart, lungs, and nervous system.
• Chemical burns – Exposure to acidic or caustic materials can lead to chemical burns. This contact can cause tissues to dissolve or generate substantial heat to burn the skin.
• Radiation burns – A radiation burn can happen during medical procedures like X-rays or radiation therapy to treat cancer, although the most well-known form is the common sunburn. More severe burns can cause radiation dermatitis, a skin condition that may emerge as long as 90 days after treatment and cause tissue cell death and ulcerations.
• Flash burns – A flash burn occurs due to exposure to intense light flashes or severe thermal radiation. A large thermobaric, non-nuclear, or nuclear explosion can cause flash burns. They more commonly occur due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from a welder’s torch, which can cause burns to the cornea, known as arc eye.

What Are the Different Levels of Burn Injuries?

Doctors classify burn injury cases by degrees based on the severity of the injury. The different levels include:

• First-degree burns – The least severe category of burn injury, first-degree burns damage only the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and can cause mild pain and redness. Treatment typically involves cold compresses, ointments, bandages, and over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Second-degree burns – Damage to the epidermis and the second layer of skin (dermis) is categorized as a second-degree burn. It can cause swelling and make the burned skin appear red, white, or splotchy. Second-degree burns can also cause blisters and extreme pain. More severe cases may leave permanent scarring. Burn treatment usually involves antibiotic ointments, frequent changes to wound dressings, and pain relievers.
• Third-degree burns – A third-degree burn penetrates the skin, damaging fat layers and other soft tissues. Injured areas may look white, brown, or black or give the skin a leathery appearance. Such severe burn injuries can also damage nerves, causing the skin to feel numb. Extensive medical treatment is necessary for these serious burns, such as skin grafts to replace tissues too damaged to heal.
• Fourth-degree burns – Some doctors recognize a fourth category of burns as the most severe form of burn injury. These deep burns damage tissues beneath the fat layer, such as muscles, tendons, and bones. Fourth-degree burns can leave victims with significant scarring, permanent impairment, or surgical amputation of damaged parts of the body.

What Are the Physical and Emotional Effects of a Burn Injury?

Burns can have many serious physical and emotional complications. Physically, burn injuries can cause extreme pain and permanent scarring that can reduce the range of motion, mainly from scarring over or around joints. Catastrophic burns that cause extensive visible scarring or disfigurement can also have considerable emotional consequences, including difficulties adjusting to life or embarrassment about changes to one’s appearance. For children with burn injuries, the physical and emotional trauma can harm both their development and emotional well-being.

Who Can Be Held At Fault for My Burn Injuries?

Depending on the circumstances, various parties could be responsible for your burn injuries. They might include:

• A driver who causes a motor vehicle accident that triggers a vehicle fire
• A property owner whose negligence causes burns due to a fire, explosion, or unaddressed hazard on the premises
• A manufacturer whose defective product leads to a burn injury
• A construction company that improperly stores flammable materials or fails to provide personal protective equipment for employees

What Compensation Can I Receive in a Burn Injury Lawsuit?

A burn injury lawsuit may allow you to recover compensation for ongoing and future losses you incur due to your injuries, including:

• Costs of medical treatment, including emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and therapy
• Rehabilitation, such as physical and occupational therapy
• Long-term disability care, including home health services, housekeeping, or disability accommodations
• Lost wages
• Reduced earning capacity
• Physical pain and emotional distress
• Loss of quality of life
• Scarring or disfigurement that interferes with your daily life or favorite activities

How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Washington DC?

In Washington, D.C., the statute of limitations on a personal injury claim is usually three years. Burn injuries fall into this category.

It’s important to know that you may have a longer or shorter deadline to file depending on the facts of the case, so it’s wise to take legal action sooner rather than later. A Washington DC burn injury lawyer from Marks & Harrison can explain the time limits that apply to your case. If you wait too long, you could lose your right to compensation.

Contact Our Washington DC Burn Injury Lawyers For Help

If you suffered a serious burn injury, recovering compensation can set you up for whatever the future holds. Contact Marks & Harrison today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced burn injury lawyer.