LOS ANGELES BURN INJURY ATTORNEY
Burn injuries are some of the worst and most painful injuries you could suffer, physically and emotionally. Burn victims are often prone to infections and might require multiple skin grafts and other surgeries to restore their appearance and health.
According to the American Burn Association (ABA), every year over 450,000 serious burn injuries occur in the United States that require medical treatment.
If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury, you might be entitled to compensation.
Cohen & Marzban is one of the top Los Angeles burn injury attorney firms. We have over 45 years of experience recovering damages for clients who have suffered burn injuries.
If you’re looking for a reputable and experienced burn injury law firm with a proven track record, you’re at the right place.
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week To Schedule an Appointment.
Let us know if you’re unable to travel to our office. We’re more than willing to send one of our burn injury lawyers to visit you at home or in hospital, anywhere in Southern California.
Important Components of Personal Injury Cases Involving Burn Injuries
Negligence
You have to prove that you or a loved one suffered burn injuries due to the negligence of another. Even if you’re partly to blame for the incident, the other party might still be found negligent to some degree.
For example, in a recent case a father fell asleep after lighting a candle in a bedroom. As a result the home caught fire and he sustained burn injuries. However, it was found he’s not fully to blame as the fire alarm inside the home was defective.
Product liability
In many cases, fires start as the result of defective household appliances.
Manufacturers and sellers have a legal duty to protect consumers. If you suffered burn injuries due to a defective product, you have to prove the product caused or contributed to your injuries.
You can sue the manufacturer or seller for failing to provide accurate instructions, failing to test the product prior to selling it, or not anticipating how consumers might use it. Under special circumstances, you might file a claim for punitive damages as well.
Compensation
Burns can lead to disfigurement, amputation, or internal organ damage. In addition, burns can require long term medical care, surgeries and rehabilitative services. As a result, plaintiffs must demonstrate the level of care they will require now and in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in California?
Under California’s statute of limitations, burn victims have two years from the date they were injured to file a personal injury claim.
Let the burn injury attorneys at Cohen & Marzban file the claim and take care of the paperwork while you go through the healing process.
What type of compensation can I expect to receive?
Every case is unique. It’s impossible to give you a ballpark estimate without first evaluating your case.
Our law firm will carefully evaluate and calculate the damages you suffered. Based on this, we’ll give you an estimate of what your claim could be worth.
Factors that will help determine what compensation you’re entitled to include:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses.
- Mental disorders stemming from the incident.
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement.
- Loss of companionship.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Lost wages, including the loss of future earnings.
- Lost quality of life.
Can I sue for first degree burns?
In principle, you can sue for any type of burn including first degree burns. However, it’s often not worth suing for superficial burns. Your burn injury attorney will be able to give you expert advice after evaluating your case.
WebMD identifies four types of burns and defines them as follows:
First degree burns (superficial burns) are mild compared to other burns. They cause pain and reddening of the epidermis (outer layer of the skin).
Second degree burns (partial thickness burns) affect the epidermis and the dermis (lower layer of skin). They cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.
Third degree burns (full thickness burns) go through the dermis and affect deeper tissues. They result in white or blackened, charred skin that may be numb.
Fourth degree burns go even deeper than third-degree burns and can affect your muscles and bones. Nerve endings are also damaged or destroyed, so there’s no feeling in the burned area.
Note that it’s not only the type of burn that should be taken into consideration. The percentage of the total body surface burned also plays a role.
“Rule of Nines” are used for adults to establish the percentage of the body surface burned:
Head and neck – 9%
Anterior trunk – 18%
Posterior trunk – 18%
Arms, including hands – 9% each
Legs, including feet – 18% each
Genitalia – 1%
What should I do after suffering a bad burn injury?
- Seek medical attention – Call for help and get the medical attention you need straight away. The sooner your injuries are treated, the better.
- Document what happened – Make a note of the date, time, and location of the incident and what caused it. If possible, take photos or make a video of your injuries and the cause of your injuries (using your cell phone should be sufficient). If you’re unable to do it yourself, ask someone to help you.
- Speak to a personal injury attorney who specializes in burn injuries – Dealing with a burn injury can be difficult. You need expert help and advice which is why we always recommend you contact a burn injury attorney as soon as possible.
If you’ve suffered burn injuries, the attorneys at Cohen & Marzban stand ready to help you.