Burn injuries can be life-altering, with recovery often being long and extremely painful. The months that follow can include lengthy hospital stays and skin grafts, on top of scarring and emotional trauma. These injuries are unlike any other and can alter nearly every aspect of a person’s life.
When a burn happens due to someone’s carelessness or even unsafe conditions, the law has ways to hold them accountable and pursue compensation. The process can be difficult, however, and can cause increased stress while simultaneously recovering from such serious harm. A Fresno burn injury lawyer can assist in making sure claims are handled properly, pursuing all possible avenues for recovery. Consult our catastrophic injury attorneys to discuss next steps.
Not all burns are the same, and are classified based on their severity and the medical care necessary to properly treat them. Here is a brief overview of the degrees doctors use when assessing these injuries:
If the injury is more severe, the medical treatment will likely be more complicated and therefore create a higher financial or emotional burden. Victims may face a variety of physical and psychological obstacles, and many times these extend to friends and family as well. Whether you suffered a first-degree or third-degree burn, a Fresno lawyer from our team can help you explore your options for compensation.
There are a variety of circumstances that can lead to burn injuries, but negligence can sometimes play a role. Some common causes include:
These hazards are usually preventable, but someone has failed to take reasonable steps to protect others from harm. In those cases, a burn injury attorney in Fresno can help you hold the responsible party accountable under state law.
Burn injuries suffered from someone’s negligence have lasting effects that reach beyond the physical toll. Depending on the circumstances, those with burn injuries have the opportunity to pursue damages against a negligent party for medical costs, home or vehicle modifications, and lost wages. Additionally, California allows damages to be awarded for the pain and suffering caused by the injury, and, when they prove fatal, wrongful death claims for family members to recover (California Code of Civil Procedure § 377.60).
California is distinct from many other states in that it does not cap damages in most personal injury cases. This allows those injured the chance to pursue the full value of their claim.
Another doctrine involved in these cases is comparative negligence. Because California follows what is referred to as pure comparative negligence, if the injured party is found to be somewhat responsible for the resulting burns, the damages will be adjusted proportionally to their responsibility (California Civil Code § 1714). For example, should a jury award $500,000 but the injured person is determined to have been 20 percent responsible, they would receive $400,000. It is important to note that even if the injured party is deemed 99 percent responsible for their burns, they can still recover the other 1 percent in damages, so consult a burn injury lawyer in Fresno before assuming that you cannot recover compensation.
We understand how uncertain life can be after a burn injury, but know that support is available. When negligence is involved, the law gives injured individuals the right to seek compensation, and legal guidance can make a world of difference in these cases.
A Fresno burn injury lawyer can gather evidence and push back against any efforts to minimize what your case is worth. Since 1975, Dunnion Law has advocated for burn injury victims and helped them pursue the resources and justice they deserve. While we cannot promise any outcome, having the right advocate on your side can offer a clearer path forward. We offer free consultations and can review and investigate your claim to help you understand your options and next steps.
