Maine Burn Injury Lawyer

Were you involved in an accident due to someone else’s negligence? Did it result in burn injuries? Are you facing medical treatment, time away from work, and other losses? If so, contact Mann Law right now to discuss your case and learn about your legal options.

A burn injury is often painful and can range in severity. The more severe types of burns can damage tissue, muscles, nerves, and leave behind scars. Even if the physical injury heals, you could face significant scarring and emotional trauma for years to come. Treatment can become expensive, causing financial strain and possible debt.

At Mann Law, our experienced Maine burn injury lawyers will be your advocates during this devastating time in your life. You can depend on our team of catastrophic injury attorneys to put our knowledge and resources to work for you and try to reach a favorable outcome. We will fight hard for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Maine

Varying severities of burn injuries can happen in many situations. Catastrophic accidents and negligent individuals often cause burns and other types of injuries. Whether you are dining at a restaurant or driving in your car, you could encounter hazardous conditions and end up in harm’s way.

The most common causes of burn injuries include:

• Electrical shock
• Strong chemicals, such as acids or detergents
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Explosions
• Exposed wiring and electrical components
• Residential or commercial building fire
• Workplace accidents
• Nursing home abuse
• Faulty equipment and machinery
• Dangerous consumer products
• Medical malpractice

If one of these causes or another factor resulted in your burn injury, reach out to a local lawyer to discuss the next steps you should take. Immediate action is necessary to treat the burn and explore your options for holding the at-fault party accountable for their misconduct.

Types of Burn Injuries and Possible Complications

A burn injury damages skin and other parts of the body due to electricity, friction, fire, radiation, heat, or direct contact with harmful chemicals. Burns are a common cause of morbidity and lead to approximately 180,000 fatalities worldwide every year.

If you’ve ever spilled coffee on your hand or touched a hot stove, you probably sustained a minor burn. This kind of injury causes a burning sensation and kills skin cells. A minor burn typically heals on its own without much more than home remedies. However, a severe burn injury might require skin grafting, surgery, and other treatment. Even if the victim recovers, they could be left with permanent scarring.

There are four classifications of burn injuries, depending on the amount of damage to the body:

• First-degree burn – There is minimal damage with a first-degree burn. It’s also called a superficial burn because it only affects the outer layer of the skin. You likely feel a little pain, and some redness, swelling, and inflammation can occur at the injury site. This type of burn often takes between seven and 10 days to heal. The skin will flake and peel as it repairs itself and shouldn’t leave any scars behind.

• Second-degree burn – Damage extends beyond the top layer of skin to the layers underneath. Redness and soreness are expected at the site of the burn. Blisters can develop and burst, leaving a scab over the wound. Some scarring might occur as it heals and changes the pigment of the skin.

• Third-degree burn – A third-degree burn damages every layer of skin and the nerves as well. Although you might think this would be painful, it usually isn’t due to nerve damage. Surgery and skin grafting are typically the proper course of treatment to heal the injury and prevent infection and other complications. However, significant scarring is likely.

• Fourth-degree burn – The most severe burns damage all skin layers and nerves and extend to muscles, tendons, and tissue. Sometimes, you can see exposed bones or muscle tissue from the extensive damage. The skin will appear charred or could have a white color to it. This type of injury requires emergency medical care and treatment in a burn unit.

Complications can arise from a burn injury, especially if you don’t seek the necessary treatment. The most common include:

• Infections – An infection can develop at the site of the burn. If it enters the bloodstream, it can travel to other parts of the body, potentially affecting vital organs. Life-threatening infections can cause these organs to shut down and eventually lead to death.
• Low body temperature – Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature lowers rapidly due to prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. Frostbite is a type of burn injury that can lead to hypothermia.
• Disfigurement and scarring – Disfiguring burns of the hands, feet, face, or large areas of the body can form, altering one’s appearance and causing permanent scars to form.
• Emotional and mental trauma – Sometimes, the psychological damage can outlast any physical pain or injury. Even if the burn heals, you can experience anxiety from the accident or develop depression if a severe burn injury left you disfigured.
• Blood loss – Significant blood loss can result from severe burns. As the body is unable to compensate for the decrease in blood volume, blood pressure drops, and tissue damage begins. Hypovolemic shock sets in once the body loses a fifth of its blood volume, and the victim could fall into a coma or have a heart attack.
• Arrhythmia – An irregular or abnormal heartbeat commonly happens during electrical shock. The severity of this complication depends on the type of current, voltage, and where the current flows throughout the body. If it travels to the heart, disturbances occur that can cause death.
• Loss of mobility – Some burn injuries damage bone and joint tissue. Limited mobility becomes an issue, possibly leading to physical disabilities.
• Respiratory conditions – Smoke inhalation from explosions and fires can damage the lungs and lead to respiratory problems. Symptoms such as shortness of breath, a cough, and mental confusion are common signs of inhaling dangerous gases and particles from smoke.

Immediate treatment of any burn is crucial, even if it seems minor. Only a doctor can evaluate the injury and determine the extent of the damage. You should never self-diagnose or assume the burn isn’t that serious if you’re not experiencing many symptoms.

Compensation Available for a Burn Injury

When you’re involved in an accident resulting in a burn injury, you will likely suffer some losses, such as:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Emotional distress
• Damage to personal property
• Lost wages
• Lost future earnings
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent scarring
• Loss of enjoyment of life

You could file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party to pursue compensation for your losses. If the negligent individual or company were entirely responsible for your burn injury, you should not be forced to pay out of pocket for the costs you incur. They should be held liable for their wrongdoings and provide the financial means necessary for you to heal.

Contact a Maine Burn Injury Attorney for Trusted and Dependable Representation

The Maine burn injury lawyers at Mann Law, LLC have over 20 years of experience helping injured clients recover after traumatic accidents. We will remain in your corner from start to finish of the process to provide the care, services, and guidance you need. The long and painful recovery you face should not get in the way of securing the compensation you’re owed. We can take on the responsibility of your case so you can focus on healing and getting your life back on track.

If you suffered burn injuries in an accident due to someone else’s negligent behavior, call us today for a free consultation.