Orange County Burn Injury Lawyer
Burn Injury Attorney in Orange County, CA
Nearly every human being has suffered some kind of burn in their lifetime. Whether that be from a hot oven at home in Anaheim or when heating up coffee at an office in Irvine. Burns are common and cause thousands of hospitalizations a year. However, burn injuries can also be severe and caused by another party’s negligence or recklessness. In these cases, you may be entitled to compensation, and an Orange County burn injury lawyer can help.
Trust Your Burn Injury Case to the Team at Bentley & More LLP
At Bentley & More LLP, we believe in people over profit. When you walk through our office doors, we are here to listen to your side of the story and determine your ideal legal options moving forward. Our years of success are rooted in the unique personalization we offer each case, working to tailor solutions to the particular needs of your case. With decades of experience, we are here to negotiate a full and fair settlement or bring your case to court if necessary.
Over our many years of legal service, we have been honored with a Lawyer of the Year award from Best Lawyers and named Top Plaintiff Lawyer by the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journal. Additionally, we have been given an AV-preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating available in the legal world.
We are proud to bring this level of excellence to every personal injury case that walks through our office doors, and we are ready to serve you today.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Orange County
Burn injuries happen every day, and the United States currently sees a 2.7% mortality rate for these horrific injuries. These injuries can result from a variety of different accidents and events, many of which are preventable and have been caused by human error.
When seeking compensation for a burn injury, the first step you need to take is understanding the direct cause of your injury. Understanding the cause will help lead to the liable party and can also help in calculating the amount of compensation you are entitled to recover. In Orange County, the most common causes of burn injuries include:
- Workplace accidents. Certain industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and food service, are more prone to burn injuries than others. These burn injuries are typically caused by exposure to certain chemicals, malfunctioning or defective equipment or tools, and unsafe conditions on the work property.
- Defective products. Burns may be caused by faulty or malfunctioning electronics, heating equipment, or household appliances. All of these scenarios can leave victims suffering long-term injury and even disability. When a product has caused harm due to flaws in the product design or manufacturing, then the distributors and manufacturers of the product could be held liable for damages.
- Vehicle accidents. Passenger vehicle, commercial trucking, and motorcycle accidents can frequently result in severe and even deadly burn injuries. Often, these injuries are the result of fires, direct contact with hot surfaces, or the release of dangerous chemicals. These accidents, when they do not result in death, typically result in serious injuries that require long-term treatment and care.
- Hot liquid injuries. When an individual comes into contact with boiling liquid, defective water heaters, or steam, it can result in severe and painful burns. These incidents are most common in food prep settings and also in the plumbing service industry.
- Fires. When a building is poorly maintained, has faulty wiring, or the smoke alarms are either absent or not properly maintained, it can lead to horrific structure fires, particularly in residential buildings in Orange County. Property owners who fail to maintain their buildings and adhere to the safety regulations to avoid fires can be held liable.
Regardless of the exact cause of your burn injury, the lawyers at Bentley & More LLP are here to conduct an in-depth investigation and work to identify all potentially liable parties, so that your case is solid and compensation can be recovered.
Types and Degrees of Burn Injuries
When we think of burns, our minds often associate these injuries with fire, but fire is not always at play in these injuries. There are actually several different types of burn injuries that can occur in Orange County, and their prevalence typically depends on the exact cause behind the root accident. Understanding the type and degree of burn you have sustained will help you calculate the amount of economic and non-economic damages you deserve. Common types include:
- Thermal burns. These burns are caused by heat sources such as an open flame, fire, hot metal or surfaces, and explosions. These burns are the most common type and can often occur during everyday living.
- Electrical burns. These burns occur when an electrical current passes through the body. These injuries are more common in the workplace, but they can also be caused by exposed electrical lines or faulty wiring. These burns typically damage internal tissues and organs, which is why it is wise to always seek immediate attention after an electrical burn, even if you cannot actually see any evidence of physical injury.
- Radiation burns. These burns occur when an individual is exposed to radiation. This could include overexposure in a tanning bed, suffering a burn injury while seeking radiation therapy for cancer, or in a workplace accident where radiation is used. Radiation burns often range from minor injuries to severe, deep-tissue damage.
- Chemical burns. When a person is exposed to harsh chemicals, it can burn their skin and even penetrate into deeper tissues of the body. Strong acids found in substances like pool chemicals, battery acid, certain household cleaning products, or industrial cleaners can cause severe and even fatal chemical burns upon contact with your skin. These burns can be extremely dangerous due to the corrosive nature of many chemicals.
- Scalding burns. This is a subtype of thermal burn that occurs most often in home settings. These injuries are more common amongst children or the elderly and can happen when spilling a hot liquid or when splashed by cooking oil.
In addition to your type of burn injury, another crucial aspect of your case will be determining the degree of your burn. There are four main degrees of burn injuries, including:
- First-degree burns. These are the most minor of burns and are superficial, meaning they only tend to affect the epidermis, or the outer layer of skin. The burn injury and surrounding area tend to be red and painful and may be subject to mild irritation or swelling.
- Second-degree burns. These injuries affect both the outer layer of a victim’s skin and the underlayer of skin, or the dermis. This kind of burn will often result in swollen and reddened skin and will likely blister. These burns could do permanent damage, such as changing the color of your skin where the burn took place, similar to a scar. Second-degree burns can also lead to incredible pain.
- Third-degree burns. These burns, also known as “full-thickness burns”, destroy two whole layers of skin, and the affected areas can turn black, yellow, white, or brown. The nerve endings in the affected skin will be destroyed. Victims will often be left with a loss of sensation, significant scarring, and possible disfigurement.
- Fourth-degree burns. These burns are the deepest, most severe, and can oftentimes be life-threatening. A fourth-degree burn will destroy every layer of skin and can also harm the muscles, tendons, and even the bones beneath the skin. These burn injuries often require long hospital stays, surgeries, skin-grafts and bone-grafts, and lengthy rehabilitation, if not death.
Burn injuries can be associated with long-term issues, including disfigurement, scarring, emotional trauma, and mobility impairment. At Bentley & More LLP, we are dedicated to recovering the damages you have sustained when these injuries are caused by another person’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing.
What to Do Following a Burn Injury Accident
A burn accident can leave a victim in unbelievable amounts of pain and agony, and can also be a shock to the system. Knowing what to do in the aftermath can protect your health and your rights to seek compensation in the future. If you suffer a burn injury in Orange County, if you are physically capable, take the following actions:
- Seek medical attention, even if you do not feel physically hurt or there are no physical signs of injury.
- Document the accident scene and injuries through photos and videos.
- Preserve evidence, such as any unsafe wiring, chemical container, or faulty household appliance.
- Obtain contact information of any eyewitnesses who may be able to offer testimony to support your claim.
- Limit your communication about the accident, and do not post on social media about the incident.
- Follow all doctor orders and treatment plans.
- Consult a burn injury lawyer.
Compensation You May Be Able to Recover for a Burn Injury in California
According to a recent study, the total cost of a burn injury is around $51,770.28, ranging from $296.25 for minor cases and $2,170,628.00 for the most severe of situations. When a burn injury has been caused by another party, you may be able to recover compensation for the following:
- Any related medical expenses, past, present, and future
- Lost wages or any lost ability to earn
- Personal property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death damages
- Punitive damages, in rare cases
FAQs
If I Suffered a Burn Injury at Work, Can I File a Claim Against My Employer?
If you have suffered a burn injury at work, you can likely not file a personal injury claim against your employer. Around 450,000 people in the U.S. get treated for burns each year, occurring in and outside of the workplace. When this injury happens on the job, you may be able to seek compensation through workers’ comp, but you will not be able to file against your employer. You may pursue a claim if a third party is liable.
What Can Make a Burn Injury Case Complex?
Burn injuries can be complex for several reasons. First, these injuries typically require an extensive amount of long-term medical care and treatment and can have lifelong impacts on your daily life. This can make the overall case difficult to assess in terms of its financial value. Thankfully, an experienced attorney has the ability to review all of your losses in order to calculate the amount of compensation you deserve.
What Is the Statute of Limitations on Burn Injuries in California?
In California, all personal injury claims, including burn injuries, are subject to a statute of limitations. This is a legal deadline that is placed on your right to file a claim. If you wish to pursue compensation and file a claim, you need to do so within the first two years following the date of your injury. Otherwise, your case will likely be dismissed by the courts, and you will not be able to recover compensation.
How Can an Attorney Help Me in a Burn Injury Claim?
In a burn injury claim, an attorney can help you in several different ways. First, they are here to offer you comprehensive guidance and handle every aspect of your case, from launching an independent investigation into the incident to seeking a legal resolution so that you can focus on your own healing. They can also prepare your case for trial, and they aren’t afraid of advocating for your rights in the courtroom.
Hire a Burn Injury Lawyer Serving Orange County Today
Suffering a burn injury can turn your entire life upside down and alter the course of your future. Thankfully, you do not have to go through this alone. When you hire a burn injury lawyer from Bentley & More LLP, you can rest assured knowing that you have the right legal team in your corner. We are here to review your case, determine liability, and calculate the full amount of compensation you deserve.
For a free and confidential consultation, contact our offices today. We are here to tell your story and seek justice on your behalf. You don’t have to do this alone.
Client Testimonials
“I can’t thank Bentley & More enough, especially Steve. After my dad’s passing in a car accident, they secured a settlement we are so grateful for. From the start, they made sure we were taken care of, handling everything so we didn’t have to worry. Steve went above and beyond, always there when we needed support, and it was such a relief knowing we were in good hands. If you’re looking for a firm that truly cares, Bentley & More is the one. Highly recommend them!” – Kevin Jimenez ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bentley & More LLP Office
Address: 4931 Birch Street Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: (949) 870-3800
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