Burn injuries are widely considered to be the most painful type of injury that anyone can experience. The immediate and long-term pain and complications that burn victims face make the road to recovery fraught with obstacles. When you or a loved one suffers a catastrophic injury due to someone else’s negligence, the at-fault party should be held responsible for the harm they’ve caused.
At D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, our compassionate catastrophic injury attorneys have been fighting for clients for over 100 combined years. While the complexity of a case may change based on the severity of the burn, our dedication to our clients remains the same regardless of the degree of the burn. We believe everyone deserves the right to seek justice for damage caused by someone else’s negligent or reckless actions.
In 2021, there were nearly 400,000 fire or burn related injuries reported throughout the United States. These types of injuries are fairly common, but that doesn’t make them any less impactful. Contact D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, to schedule a free consultation with a Litchfield burn injury lawyer to discuss your claim.
Burns can be caused by more than just direct contact with an open flame or hot object.
When a heat source raises the temperature of skin and tissue, it can cause cell death and burns. This is known as a thermal burn and can be caused by steam, flame, scalding liquids, and heated metals.
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays or other radiation sources causes radiation burns. Sunburns and burns caused by X-rays fall into this category.
Some chemicals and strong acids can burn the skin and tissue, including detergents, alkaline products, and solvents.
In addition to electrocution injuries, exposure to electrical currents can also cause burns.
Burn injuries are classified into three categories of severity – first-, second-, and third-degree burns – depending on how deep or widespread the damage is.
This is the least severe of the three, and these burns only affect the outer layer of skin. A mild sunburn would likely be classified as a first-degree burn. Long-term damage is rare with this level of burn.
With a second-degree burn, the first and part of the second layers of skin are damaged. These burns may blister and cause swelling.
As the most severe level of burn, third-degree burns destroy the top two layers of skin and often damage muscles, tendons, and bones.
When burn damage extends over 10 percent or more of a child’s body or 15 – 20 percent of an adult’s body, the burns are also considered to be major injuries that require hospitalization. In addition, the direct symptoms and harm caused by the burn are not the only concern. Severe burns trigger responses in the body that affect nearly every organ system. There are a number of complications that can arise after a severe burn, including infections and organ failure.
When you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, a Litchfield burn injury attorney can provide guidance on obtaining compensation and addressing the complex medical needs that often follow these types of injuries.
While burn injuries can be caused by practically any contact with heat, chemicals, radiation, or electricity, there are some causes that are more common. Most burn injuries result from one of the following:
Injuries caused by fire and flames are the most common, with scalding burns and electrical injuries also among the highest-occurring causes.
Economic and non-economic damages may be an option for burn victims whose injuries were caused by someone else’s wrongful or negligent behavior. The seasoned legal professionals at D’Amico & Pettinicchi, LLC, have over a century of combined experience holding at-fault parties accountable. Our in-depth knowledge of the Litchfield legal system and Connecticut laws, coupled with our caring and compassionate approach, make us ideally suited for anyone searching for justice after a burn injury.
Contact us today to schedule a free in-person or virtual consultation with a Litchfield burn injury lawyer.
