Severe burns can be devastating. If you or a loved one sustained a burn injury in Fort Lauderdale, FL, you might be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. An experienced Fort Lauderdale burn injury lawyer at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers can make a world of difference in maximizing your financial recovery.
We’ve been committed to recovering maximum compensation for our clients for more than 28 years. We’ve already recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of injury victims like you.
We offer a free consultation, so contact our law offices in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at (954) 287-0566 to schedule yours today.
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How Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers Can Help With a Burn Injury Case in Fort Lauderdale
Navigating the legal system can be surprisingly complex–especially if you’re dealing with serious injuries. You’ll need to focus your time and energy on healing, not fighting with the insurance companies.
Instead, call our Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyers at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers With over 28 years of experience, you can trust that we know how to handle cases like yours. In fact, we’ve been recognized by the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and as an Avvo Top Attorney with a perfect “10.0” rating.
We’re tireless in our pursuit of fair compensation. Here are just a few reasons why you should trust us to handle your case:
- We have the resources to conduct a full investigation
- We’ll locate all responsible parties and demand fair compensation from each
- We hire leading experts and specialists to strengthen your claim
- We work on a contingency fee basis, so there aren’t any upfront costs to you
Our negotiating skills have been proven time and again–and you can count on us to maximize your settlement or verdict. Contact our Fort Lauderdale injury attorneys today to find out how hiring us can make a difference in your case value.
Overview of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be extremely painful. They can also have a serious impact on your quality of life–in some cases, for years to come. In other words, the damage can be much more serious than mere skin damage. They have the potential to damage the underlying muscles, tendons, bones, and organs beneath.
The severity of your burn injury will depend on a few different factors, including:
- The source of the burn
- The area of the body that was damaged
- The size and depth of the burn
Burns are assessed and categorized based on type and severity. While the source of the burn can impact severity, a longer period of exposure will generally cause more severe burns regardless of the source.
Types of Burn Injury
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, our Fort Lauderdale burn injury attorneys handle all types of burn injury cases, including those involving:
- Thermal burns caused by exposure to hot objects, hot liquids, flames, and even steam
- Electrical burns, typically caused by electrocution or exposure to live electricity
- Chemical burns caused by acids and other harmful chemicals
- Radiation burns, which can be sustained in the workplace or even by excessive exposure to radiation treatments in cancer patients
- Cold burns or frostbite caused by exposure to extreme cold
It’s important to get immediate medical attention if you’ve sustained a chemical or electrical burn. Even if the skin damage appears minor, these types of burns can damage the inside of your body.
How Common Are Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries are common across the United States. By CDC estimates, at least 1.1 million burns require medical care each year. About 50,000 of those burn victims are hospitalized because of their injuries. Around 20,000 Americans suffer burn injuries that cover at least 25% of their body–and about 4,500 people die from burn injuries and complications annually.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Burn Injuries?
Burns are classified according to degree. First-degree burns are the least serious. Fourth-degree burns can be life-threatening. These burns are generally classified according to the symptoms you experience.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns are typically mild. They can be painful and your skin may turn red. However, the damage is limited to the outer layer of skin, called the epidermis. Most first-degree burns heal on their own, without the need for medical treatment.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns extend through the epidermis to damage the interior layers of skin (the dermis).
Some symptoms of these partial-thickness burns may include:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Blisters that may pop open
- Slight thickening of the skin
- Scabs
While it’s important to keep a second-degree burn clean, most of these burns aren’t serious. They can, however, become infected and lead to scarring or more serious issues.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns are much more serious because they extend through the layers of skin. However, these burns aren’t necessarily painful. That’s only because they can damage the nerves, preventing the body from feeling pain.
Depending on the source of the burn, signs and symptoms may include:
- A raised or leathery texture
- Charred skin
- White, waxy skin
- Dark brown color
- Blisters that don’t develop
It’s important to seek medical attention immediately if you’ve sustained a third-degree burn. These burns can cause serious scarring and internal damage, especially if left untreated.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Fourth-degree burns are the most serious category of burns. They extend through the layers of skin into the muscles, tendons, and ligaments beneath. They can even cause bone and organ damage.
Typically, there won’t be any pain or feeling in the area because of damage to the nerve endings. Sometimes, exposed bone or tissue will be visible through the wound.
What are the Long-Term Consequences of Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries have a high potential for complications, especially in cases involving third or fourth-degree burns.
Some of the possible long-term consequences and complications include:
- Infection
- Blood loss
- Severe scarring and disfigurement
- Organ damage
- Shock
- Tetanus
- Hypothermia
- Hypovolemia
- Death
Burns have the potential to be catastrophic. Even with treatment and skin grafting surgeries, burn victims often suffer permanent impairments. They’re also at risk of developing severe depression and PTSD.
Were you burned in an accident? Call our lawyers in Fort Lauderdale for a free case review today. We’ll make sure you get the quality legal advice you need to understand your options.
What Causes Most Burn Injuries?
Burns can happen in any type of serious accident. Motor vehicle accidents and electrocution accidents are some of the more common causes of burn injuries.
At Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers, we can help fight for you regardless of the circumstances of your accident.
We often handle burn injury cases involving:
- Car accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber or Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Airplane accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Exposure to toxic substances
- Defective products under Florida product liability laws
If someone else’s negligent or reckless acts caused your injury, you may be entitled to compensation. We’ll help you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Just call for a free case evaluation today.
What is My Fort Lauderdale Burn Injury Case Worth?
The central factor in assessing your case value will be the severity of your injuries. The nature of your injury will impact the other factors that play a role in your personal injury case’s worth.
Some of those factors include:
- Whether you’ll experience permanent scarring or disability
- The cost of your medical treatment now and in the future
- How the injury impacts your work and quality of life
- Your emotional trauma and physical pain
Contributory fault can also play a role in the value of your case. If you were partly responsible, the insurance company will try to use your fault to reduce the value of your settlement.
What Compensation Can I Recover for My Burn Injuries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida?
Compensatory damages fall into one of two categories under Florida personal injury laws: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Examples of your economic damages include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
Non-economic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Loss of consortium
It’s also possible that punitive damages may be available. Unfortunately, the acts of some at-fault parties can be so shocking that courts will award these damages as punishment.
How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Florida?
Florida accident victims have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. This statute of limitations applies in most accident and injury cases. However, it’s possible that you could have more or less time, depending on the facts.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Burn Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Many burn victims struggle with injuries that never fully heal. If you or a loved one were injured, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Fort Lauderdale burn injury lawyer at Hollander Law Firm Accident Injury Lawyers for a free consultation today.