Hollywood Burn Injury Lawyers
If you sustain a serious burn injury in the Hollywood area, you have access to top treatment facilities. Florida has six burn centers across the state that have been verified by the American Burn Association and American College of Surgeons. The state also has two ABA-verified adult and pediatric burn centers. Top plastic surgeons and specialists are available to help patients recover as fully as possible.
Nevertheless, burn injuries remain one of the most painful injuries to sustain. They are also very expensive to treat, with insurance companies often only covering a portion of care. That’s why it’s important to consult with Hollywood, FL burn injury lawyers if you have suffered serious burns. You can always contact Flaxman Law Group for a free consultation with a Hollywood burn injury attorney to find out how you can pursue compensation so you can afford quality treatment and care.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Hollywood, FL
Burn injuries affect people of all ages and can occur in a variety of settings. Some of the most common causes of burn injuries in Hollywood and across Florida include:
Fires. Household fires, fires in the workplace, and fires due to electrical malfunctions can all produce flames that are one of the most common causes of serious injuries. Fire accidents can cause immediate damage to the skin, muscles, and underlying tissues.
- Traffic Accidents. Car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and truck accidents can all lead to burns. A vehicle’s fuel system may leak, igniting fires that cause burns to passengers or pedestrians. Motorcycle crashes are especially vulnerable to vehicle fires, because a motorcycle’s fuel tank isn’t protected by layers of metal, the way a car or truck’s fuel tank is.
- Workplace Accidents. Construction workers, factory employees, kitchen staff, and other employees may face hazards in the form of hot surfaces, machinery, or chemicals.
- Chemical Burns. Acids, alkalis, and other industrial chemicals can cause severe damage to the skin upon contact.
- Defective Product. Burn injuries can result from faulty products, such as exploding appliances, defective heating devices, or malfunctioning electrical equipment. When manufacturers fail to ensure the safety of their products, they can be held liable in products liability claims.
- Violence. Cases of arson, domestic violence, and other criminal acts can lead to severe burns. These injuries may not only cause physical damage but also leave lasting emotional scars. There have even been instances where a perpetrator wilfully lit another person on fire.
Burn injuries can require expensive treatments and may impact your quality of life for years to come, so ensuring that you receive the compensation you deserve is crucial. If you’ve suffered a burn injury, consult with Hollywood, FL burn injury lawyers to find out whether you have a claim.
Types and Degrees of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are categorized based on their severity, with each degree representing the depth of skin or tissue damage:
- First-Degree Burns. These are the least severe burns, affecting only the outer layer of skin. Also known as superficial burns, these injuries can cause redness, mild swelling, and pain. First-degree burns usually heal within a few days to a week without requiring medical treatment, although the skin may remain discolored for some time.
- Second-Degree Burns. Also known as partial-thickness burns, these injuries go deeper than first-degree burns, affecting both the epidermis (the top layer of skin) and the dermis underneath. These burns cause blisters, intense pain, redness, and swelling. If the damage is extensive, this burn can lead to scarring or require a tetanus shot or other medical treatment.
- Third-Degree Burns. These burns affect all layers of the skin and may extend into the underlying tissue. Third-degree burns can damage nerves, muscles, and even bones, and may result in the skin appearing white, charred, or leathery. Since nerve endings are destroyed, third-degree burns may not cause immediate pain, but they are life-threatening and require emergency medical attention. Serious cases may lead to permanent scarring, disability, or even fatalities.
- Fourth-Degree Burns. Fourth-degree burns are the most severe. These injuries extend beyond the skin into muscles, tendons, and bones, often resulting in permanent damage. Patients with fourth-degree burns may require amputations or extensive reconstructive surgery. These injuries are life-threatening and demand immediate emergency care at a specialized burn center.
In addition to the classification system above, doctors also consider the size and location of burns when deciding on severity of injury. Large burns (covering over 10% of the body) or burns near critical areas, such as the face, hands, or genitals, are considered medical emergencies. In addition, any burn involving a chemical or electricity and any serious burn affecting a child or senior should be treated as an emergency. Doctors also suggest that any burn patient who has suffered an inhalation injury or who has a chronic condition be taken to a specialized burn center.
If you or someone you know suffers from any degree of burn, it’s crucial to seek medical attention right away. If you suspect a burn injury may be serious, visit an emergency room or get medical attention at an urgent care center. One of the dangerous things about burns is that serious injuries may not hurt, so patients may ignore symptoms. In some cases, serious infections can develop gradually. Don’t rely on your own evaluation of your condition. Even if you suspect a burn may be serious, seek medical attention.
Contact Flaxman Law Group Today
For a free, no-obligation consultation. We are available 24/7, and there is never a fee unless we win.
Medical Costs and Other Losses for Hollywood Burn Victims
If you have suffered a burn injury, you may face a long road to recovery that includes extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. In addition to the direct costs associated with medical treatment, victims of burn injuries often experience other losses and expenses, including:
- Emergency Care. Immediate medical treatment may include emergency room visits, wound cleaning, intravenous fluids, pain management, and stabilizing the patient’s condition. Depending on the severity of the burn, this may require a lengthy stay in a burn unit or intensive care unit (ICU).
- Hospitalization and Surgery. Many burn patients require surgeries such as skin grafts, debridement (removal of dead tissue), or reconstructive procedures. These surgeries are costly and may require multiple procedures over time. Many health insurance providers may try to claim that these treatments are “cosmetic” and may refuse to cover necessary surgeries.
- Physical Therapy. After the initial burn recovery, patients often face long-term rehabilitation to restore mobility and function. Some patients require physical therapy to re-learn how to care for themselves with reduced mobility.
- Ongoing Medical Care. Many patients require ongoing medical treatments, including wound care, pain management, prescription medications, and follow-up appointments.
- Mental Health Support. Burn injuries can cause significant emotional trauma, leading to conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and body image issues. These challenges often require therapy and counseling to help the victim cope.
- Lost Income. Burn patients may need to take time away from work to heal, and depending on the severity of injury they may not be able to return to the workplace at all.
- Property Damage. In cases where a burn injury was caused by fire, a patient may have suffered not only injuries but also have lost significant personal property, including their home, car, or other assets.
- Incidental Costs. There are many additional costs burn patients may need to consider. They may need some extra help around the house, for example, while they heal. Patients may need to have meals delivered or may need to take taxis to a specialized burn center, which may be far from their home.
The costs of burn injuries can quickly add up. Moreover, there are many losses that are hard to quantify. For example, the lasting impact on a person’s appearance and self-esteem can impact personal relationships and social interactions.
This is why it’s important to consult with Hollywood, FL burn injury lawyers immediately following your injuries. Your attorney can evaluate the likely total costs of your injuries, including expected future expenses, and create a plan to help you seek any compensation you may be entitled to.
Who Is Responsible for My Burn Injuries?
If you’ve sustained a burn injury due to someone else’s recklessness, you may be entitled to compensation. Working with Hollywood, FL burn injury lawyers can help you find all liable parties, so you can seek fair financial recovery. Depending on your specific situation, liable parties in your case may include:
- Property Owners. If your burn injury occurred on someone else’s property, the property owner may be liable for unsafe conditions. For instance, if a fire broke out due to poor maintenance or you were injured because there were no working smoke detectors, the property owner could be responsible for the damages.
- Employers. In the workplace, employers have a duty to provide a safe environment for employees. If you suffered a burn injury due to unsafe working conditions, you may have a workers’ compensation claim.
- Product Manufacturers. Poorly designed products, such as faulty electrical appliances, heaters, or chemicals, can cause severe burns. Manufacturers have a responsibility to ensure their products are safe for consumer use. If a product defect caused your burn injury, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer may be held liable for your damages.
- Drivers. Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, or truck accidents can cause burns, particularly when vehicles catch fire. In such cases, the at-fault driver or party responsible for the accident may be liable.
- Criminal Perpetrators. In cases of intentional harm, the person responsible for the criminal act may be held accountable for your injuries. For example, if someone intentionally set fire to your business and you were injured, you can pursue the arsonist in court.
In many cases, it’s hard to tell who is responsible for your burn injury. For example, if your house catches fire, how can you tell whether faulty wiring, a faulty appliance, arson, or some other cause led to the fire? Hollywood, FL burn injury lawyers have teams of investigators, expert witnesses, engineers, and other professionals they can call to find out what really happened. This can help your attorneys find all liable parties and gives you peace of mind, too.
Holding the responsible party accountable not only helps you recover financially but also encourages safer practices in the future to prevent similar injuries from happening to others.
What Type of Compensation Is Available to Hollywood Burn Injury Victims?
Burn injuries can result in thousands of dollars in compensation or millions of dollars in compensation, depending on your specific situation. You may be able to recover damages for:
- Current and future medical expenses related to your injuries.
- Lost wages, including expected future lost earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering, including physical pain and emotional distress.
- Property loss, including replacement or repair costs for your electronics, home, car, or anything else that was damaged in the accident.
- Ongoing therapy and rehabilitation costs.
- Loss of companionship your family or partner has suffered.
- Disfigurement.
- Incidental costs, such as the cost of traveling to a specialized burn center.
Every burn injury case is different, so you will want to consult with Hollywood, FL burn injury lawyers who can review the specifics of your situation and tell you the strength of your claim as well as how much compensation you can seek.
At Flaxman Law Group, we have worked with many burn patients and we understand the immediate pain of the injury as well as the long-term impact on your health, career, and emotional well-being. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury in Hollywood, FL, we are here to help.
We are a family-based law firm with offices in Hollywood, Homestead, and Miami. Our father-son attorney team is happy to offer free, no-obligation consultations to you if you’re injured, so you can understand your rights before you make any decisions about what to do next. Our compassionate team speaks both English and Spanish and we can meet in person or virtually—whatever is most comfortable for you. Contact us today for a free consultation.
FREE CASE REVIEW
50+ Years of Combined Experience,
Personal Attention to Every Case
Testimonials
4.9
(386 Reviews)
"Friendly and professional customer service. From the receptionist to the paralegals, everyone makes you feel comfortable. Best firm I’ve ever dealt with."
- Catherine M.
"Thank you! This guy is great and really knows what he is doing. I've had to hire several people throughout the years for similar services and Mr. Flaxman is the best by far. I would recommend him to anyone.”
- Jeff W.
"Very prompt reply. Confident in his abilities. Educated me so I wasn't overwhelmed with the lingo. Very personable. Thank you again for helping me out Mr. Flaxman!!"
- Tayla M.
