Our experienced Michigan burn injury lawyers can help victims secure compensation and begin focusing on their personal recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Understanding Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are classified based on the severity and depth of the damage to the skin and underlying tissues:

  • First-Degree Burns: Affect only the top layer of the skin (epidermis). These burns typically result in redness, pain, and mild swelling but usually heal quickly without significant scarring.
  • Second-Degree Burns: Involve both the epidermis and the second layer of skin (dermis). These burns cause blisters, severe pain, and can result in scarring. Healing time varies depending on the severity.
  • Third-Degree Burns: Burns through all layers of the skin and may damage underlying tissues, including nerves, muscles, and bones. These burns often result in significant scarring, loss of sensation, and may require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts.

Burns can cause extensive damage to the body, leading to complications such as infections, fluid loss, and even death in severe cases. The road to recovery is often long and requires extensive physical and psychological care and support.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can occur in a variety of settings, often due to negligence or hazardous conditions. We’ve compiled a list of common causes of burn injuries. They include:

  • Workplace Accidents: High-risk jobs involving chemicals, electricity, or open flames, particularly in industrial settings, construction sites, and labs, can lead to burns.
  • Vehicle Accidents: Fires and explosions from crashes or electrical malfunctions in cars, trucks, or motorcycles often cause severe burns.
  • Household Accidents: Burns at home often result from kitchen incidents with hot liquids, open flames, or faulty wiring.
  • Defective Products: Burn injuries can stem from poorly designed or manufactured products, including faulty appliances or flammable materials.
  • Acts of Violence: Burns can result from arson or assault, leading victims to seek legal action for compensation.

The Impact of Burn Injuries

The consequences of burn injuries extend far beyond the physical harm. In fact, burn injuries can affect every aspect of a victim’s life.

  • Physical Impact: Burns can lead to severe scarring, disfigurement, and mobility issues, especially if joints or large areas of the body are affected. In some cases, amputation may be necessary if the burns are severe.
  • Emotional and Psychological Impact: The trauma of a burn injury can result in long-lasting psychological effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. The visible scars and changes in appearance can also lead to issues with self-esteem and cause social isolation.
  • Financial Impact: The cost of treating burn injuries can be unmanageable. They include expenses for emergency medical care, surgeries, hospital stays, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Also, victims may face a loss of income if they are unable to work during their recovery.

Legal Rights of Burn Injury Victims

Burn injury victims are entitled to seek compensation under personal injury law, but understanding your legal rights is key to a successful case.

Understanding Personal Injury Law

If you’ve suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence—whether from a defective product, workplace accident, or vehicle accident—you may be eligible for compensation. You must prove that the responsible party’s actions or inactions directly caused your injury to succeed in your case.

Statutes of Limitations in Michigan

In Michigan, you have a limited time to file a claim, typically three years from the date of the injury. Acting quickly is essential to preserve your legal rights.

Proving Negligence

Gathering evidence is critical to proving negligence. This includes accident reports, medical records, and expert testimony. Successfully proving fault can significantly impact the compensation you receive — which makes having an experienced legal team on your side essential.

Types of Compensation Available

Burn injury victims may be eligible for numerous types of compensation. Depending on the specifics of their case, they may recover damages for the following:

  • Medical Expenses: Covers costs for emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and ongoing treatments.
  • Rehabilitation and Therapy Costs: Compensation can include extensive rehabilitation needs, such as physical and occupational therapy, essential for regaining mobility and function.
  • Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery Costs: Burn victims often require costly reconstructive surgeries to repair damage and improve appearance, which can be included in a claim.
  • Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: If injuries prevent someone from returning to work, victims may be compensated for lost wages (present or future).
  • Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Distress: Compensation can be sought for the physical pain and psychological impact, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, based on injury severity.
  • Loss of Consortium: Spouses or family members may receive compensation for the loss of companionship or support due to the victim’s injury.

How Our Burn Injury Lawyers Can Help

You should never have to deal with the legal process alone while recovering from a burn injury.  Our team of Michigan burn injury lawyers is here to guide you through every step while you focus on recovery. Here’s what we offer all Fieger Law clients:

  • Explanation of the Legal Process: We will explain the legal process in clear, understandable terms, so you know what to expect at every stage.
  • Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Our firm conducts thorough investigations, gathering all necessary evidence to build a strong case. This includes working with top medical experts, reconstruction specialists, and other professionals to establish liability.
  • Building a Strong Case: We strategically prepare your case, focusing on maximizing the compensation you receive. This includes calculating all economic and non-economic damages to ensure you are fully compensated for your losses.
  • Negotiating With Insurance Companies: Our attorneys are experienced negotiators. Once we take your case, we handle all communications with insurance companies and opposing parties. We ensure your rights are protected.
  • Trial Representation: If the event that we do not reach a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to trial and advocate aggressively on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions we receive from clients who have suffered burn injuries:

  • What should I do immediately after sustaining a burn injury? Seek medical attention immediately, document the incident, and consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
  • How long will my case take? The duration of your case depends on its complexity, the extent of your injuries, and whether the case goes to trial. We work to resolve cases as efficiently as possible.
  • What if I can’t afford a lawyer? Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t pay anything unless we win your case.
  • Can I still file a claim if I was partially at fault? Michigan follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, although your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Michigan burn injury lawyers. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. We’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.