Honolulu Burn Injury Lawyer
Burn injuries rank among the most painful incidents that people ever experience in their lives. The physical aftermath and lengthy healing process further add to the devastating nature of these cases.
If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury in Hawaii, you might feel that the long-lasting impact of a severe burn could get you a substantial settlement, but courts and insurance companies do not always work that way. Our Honolulu burn injury lawyer at the Recovery Law Center can help fight for what you may be owed.
Frequent Causes of Burn Injuries
Fire is a common cause of burns, but this focuses on only one type. Here is a more comprehensive list of the main factors that may cause accidental burns and involve negligence.
Motor vehicle accidents
Car accidents can lead to burn injuries when the vehicles come into contact with open flames or when flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil and other hazardous chemicals ignite. Risks increase if defective or damaged vehicle parts cause a spark and fuel an explosion. If affected persons pass out or become trapped inside the vehicle, the likelihood of catastrophic injuries increases.
Work accidents
Many workplaces involve the use of combustible materials and hazardous chemicals that can cause burns. For example, welding accidents are common in engineering and construction. When sparks fly from the welding process, they could come into contact with flammable materials and ignite a fire. Other work-related burn injuries include heat stroke, flash, radiation and chemical burns.
Medical malpractice
Patients might suffer burns during procedures such as plastic surgeries and laser treatments. Our Honolulu burn injury lawyers are aware that burns can occur during skin-related treatments when a professional:
- Uses the wrong type of tool
- Does not follow the appropriate techniques
- Fails to follow safety protocols
Types of Burn Injuries
Health care professionals describe burn injuries by varying “degrees.” It refers to how deep the burn has penetrated and caused damage to the skin.
First-degree burns
The least severe types of burn injuries are first-degree burns. They mainly affect the outer layer of skin and heal within a few days with no permanent scarring. Even so, affected persons may experience severe pain, particularly if the burn occurs in a sensitive area of the body.
Second-degree burns
Second-degree burns occur when heat penetrates further into the skin and damages both the outer and inner layers. Such burns may cause blistering and discoloration, as well as intense pain. The healing process takes several weeks to months. Scarring commonly occurs.
Third-degree burns
Third-degree burns are the most severe burn injuries, affecting all skin layers and fatty tissue below the skin’s surface. They can cause permanent disfigurement and physical pain and often require reconstructive surgery. Some people suffer permanent disabilities after these burns, such as impaired hearing or restricted movement.
Burn Injury Treatments
Burn injuries can become life-threatening and typically require immediate medical attention. Treatment for burn injuries depends on the severity and location of the burn.
Treating first-degree burns
Applying ice to a first-degree burn isn’t recommended. Instead, run cool water over it. Thermal burns could require antibiotic cream and light gauze but observe for infections. Over-the-counter medication could help with the pain.
Treating second-degree burns
For second-degree burns, health care professionals may recommend the same treatments as for first-degree burns. In addition, you might need to raise the burned area to reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor may recommend a more potent antibiotic cream. You can also request stronger painkillers if necessary.
Treating third-degree burns
Third-degree burns require the most intensive treatment. Doctors may perform skin grafts using healthy skin from another area of your body. You or your doctor may place gauze with silver sulfadiazine on top to help prevent infection. Treatments provided by physical and occupational therapists help affected persons regain mobility and reduce pain.
Value of a Burn Injury Settlement
Our Honolulu burn injury lawyer acknowledges that burn injuries may carry high settlement values. The more severe the burn and the disfigurement, the more likely this becomes. These additional factors might come into play during negotiations or the trial:
- Placement of the burn
- Degree of negligence on the part of the responsible party
- Likelihood of recovery and returning to a normal life
- Medical expenses for recovery
Burns on the face, neck and hands often attract larger settlements. That’s because they tend to affect a person’s life more drastically. Facial burns are more difficult to hide, and burns on the hands can impact a person’s ability to work. After healing and scarring, the skin may not have enough elasticity to allow movement.
The Benefits of Hiring a Honolulu Burn Injury Lawyer
After a burn injury, you or your loved one must focus intensely on recovery. That leaves very little room for battling with employers, insurance companies, medical corporations or other negligent parties. Our lawyers take on the case so you and your loved one can focus on health and well-being.
Here are some tasks we handle on your behalf:
- Assess the full scope of damages, both immediate and long-term
- Conduct a thorough investigation to determine what happened and who caused it
- Identify and estimate the damages to claim in your personal injury filing
- Gather evidence to support your burn injury case
- Negotiate with insurance companies for the highest settlement possible
- Represent you at trial if necessary and prepare you for court proceedings
Contact A Honolulu Burn Injury Lawyer to Commit to Your Recovery
Choosing the right burn injury lawyer is critical to getting fair compensation for your losses. Start by looking for an experienced and committed team of attorneys. We have spent more than the last 25 years representing persons impacted by burns in Hawaii.
Our team understands the emotional toll these injuries can take and treat you and your loved one with the compassion you deserve. We remain committed to getting you the help and compensation you need.
We genuinely believe that everyone in Hawaii should have access to the justice they deserve. Consequently, we have worked hard to expand the languages we speak. We can currently translate our services into Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean and several others. Contact our Honolulu burn injury lawyer at the Recovery Law Center for a free consultation to get started.
