Have You Suffered A Burn Injury In D.C.?
Let our Burn Injury Lawyers Work on Your Behalf
More than a million Americans suffer from burn injuries each year. Close to 500,000 of those injuries require medical treatment and more than 4,000 result in death, according to the American Burn Association. From fires in the home to workplace explosions, severe burn injuries affect the lives of thousands of Americans. However, if someone else’s negligence caused your burns, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and other damages.
The burn injury attorneys at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP know the struggles associated with burn injuries, which can leave victims with expensive medical bills, lost income, and lifelong pain and suffering. Our goal is to help Washington, D.C. burn injury victims seek recovery by investigating the negligence of third parties that contribute to burn injuries.
How Serious Are D.C. Burn Injuries?
Burns are tissue injuries caused by exposure to heat, fire, chemicals, radiation, steam and/or friction. Burn injuries vary in their severity:
- First-degree burns are minor, only damaging the top layer of the skin.
- Second-degree burns damage the top two layers of skin, usually causing severe pain and blistering.
- Third-degree burns damage the top layers of skin and the tissue beneath them, leading to nerve damage and skin loss. These burns may require skin grafts.
- Fourth-degree burns are the most severe, with damage that can extend to the muscle and bone and require amputation.
Burns of any degree can result in physical pain as well as psychological trauma. Therefore, if you have a severe burn, you are at risk for:
- Scarring
- Widespread infection, including sepsis
- Severe respiratory problems
- Loss of skin or limbs
- Bone and joint damage
In addition to the physical pain and trauma of burn injuries, you may suffer from post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety as well as cognitive changes that may leave you disoriented and confused. You may also face functional impairments for the rest of your life and are also likely to need long periods of rehabilitation and counseling, which can take a toll on your finances.
Have You Suffered Burn Injuries Due to a Residential Fire?
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the majority of burn injuries and deaths are due to fires in the home. In 2015, the National Fire Protection Association estimated that out of 365,500 residential building fires, there were 2,650 deaths. Often caused by home-cooking equipment, open flames such as candles and cigarette smoking, fires injure approximately 40,000 children under age 14 every year. More than 250 of these children die. Other major causes of these types of burns include:
- Hot food or liquid. When not properly handled, hot food and liquid can cause severe scalding, particularly in children under 2.
- Malfunctioning, dangerous or defective products.
- Car accidents. Motor vehicle fires cause approximately 1 out of 8 fire-related deaths in addition to other injuries.
- Thermal, hydro and gas explosions.
- Household chemicals, including bleach, drain cleaners, metal cleaners, and pool chlorinators.
- Electrocution.
Have You Suffered Burn Injuries in a Workplace Accident?
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that workplace fires and workplace explosions injure thousands of workers every year. Additionally, around three percent of fatal workplace accidents involve fires or explosions. Due to the type of work done on construction sites, construction workers face a much higher of risk of burn injuries than office workers do. Hazardous materials often raise the risk of these types of burns. These hazards may include:
- High voltage equipment
- Flammable liquids
- Toxic or corrosive substances
- Pressurized steam
- Improper wiring
In addition to construction workers, there are a number of other occupations where workers face a high risk of burn injuries if employers are negligent:
- Roofers
- Firefighters and other emergency personnel
- Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
- Power line installers
- Food service workers
If you suffer a burn injury at work during the course of your duties, you may be entitled to workers compensation for your injuries.
Suffer a Burn Injury at Home or in the Workplace? Contact our Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries, then contact the Washington, D.C. burn injury lawyers at Koonz, McKenney, Johnson, DePaolis LLP. Our accident and injury lawyers will review your case, free of charge. Then, if possible, we will assist you in pursuing recovery for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Our law firm offers free consultations and also operates on contingency fees. This means that we will cover all of the upfront costs associated with bringing a legal claim for your burn injuries. However, if we are unsuccessful at obtaining a recovery for your pain, suffering, lost wages and medical bills, we will not charge you at all. You can reach our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 794-6126 or contact us online by filling out our online contact form.
Koonz McKenney Johnson & Depaolis serve residents of Washington DC including those living in Capitol Hill, Columbia Heights, Downtown District of Columbia, Foggy Bottom, Georgetown, and Mount Vernon.