According to the American Burn Association, approximately 450,000 people in the United States are treated each year in emergency departments and hospitals for burn injuries.
This does not include burn injuries that are treated in community health centers, private medical offices, or hospital clinics. Of these, about 3,400 injuries result in death each year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that fires and burns rank third among causes of death in the home.
Common Questions about Burn Injuries in NYC
There are many questions that people want answers to regarding burn injuries and personal injury law. Here is a look at some of the most common questions asked:
Q1: What exactly is a burn injury?
A: Burn injuries include damage to the skin as well as nerve tissue, muscle, and bones. Thermal burns are the most common type of burn injury, and are caused by exposure to scalding water, fire or hot objects which includes the sun.
Another type of burn injury is chemical burns, which are caused by contact with an alkali or an acid. Radiation burns are another type, resulting from contact with ultraviolet light or nuclear radiation. People in New York can sue if their burn injury was caused directly by another person’s negligence or carelessness or by a defective product that resulted in chemical or radiation burns.
Q2: How can I determine if I have a serious burn?
A: A burn injury’s severity will fall into 1 of 3 categories, these are- first degree, second degree and third degree. Third degree burns are the most serious type of burn injury. First degree burns occur when the burn affects only the first layer of the skin and it is characterized by highly reddened skin that takes about a week to heal.
In second degree burns, both the first and second layers of the skin get burned and cause blisters and moist-looking skin. Third degree burns occur when the burn affects all layers of the skin and damage is caused to the underlying tissue. As mentioned, this is a serious injury and is characterized by a black or white dry wound. With third degree burns, permanent scarring is inevitable.
Q3: Who can file a burn injury lawsuit?
A: Anyone who suffers serious burn injuries caused directly by someone else’s negligence can file a lawsuit in New York City. This could also include a burn resulting from another person’s careless handling of a dangerous material and spilling it on you, leading to a burn. A claim can also be filed against someone who was negligent and caused a home fire, resulting in burn injuries. Claims can also be brought against a person who misapplies a product, such as hair dye, on another person and causes a chemical burn.
Getting Help for Burn Injury in New York City
If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence in NYC, you should immediately seek the help of the experienced personal injury lawyers at Rosenberg, Minc, Falloff & Wolff of RMFW Law at 212-344-1000. You can discuss the facts of your case at a free consultation and find out if you have a viable case.
Give us a call today! The first meeting is free!
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