What Damages am I Entitled to Recover in My Burn Injury Case?

Michael Waks

9 years ago

Burn injuries frequently occur as a result of an explosion after a car accident or from a fire caused either by the negligent maintenance of property, or from a defective product. The severity of a burn injury will depend upon the degree of the burns, the location of the burns on the body, and how large the burn area is.

Burns may be very painful and treatment of burn injuries can be costly. It is important for burn injury victims to understand what damages they are entitled to recover when a burn injury is caused by someone else’s negligence.

What Damages am I Entitled to Recover In My Burn Injury Case?

California tort law allows burn victims to be compensated for all medical bills arising from treatment of their burn injuries, as well as compensation for any lost wages or reduced earnings that can be traced back to the injury. California Civil Jury Instructions 3905A also makes clear that victims who file a burn injury case are entitled to receive payment for past and future physical pain, mental pain, lost enjoyment of life, and disfigurement- among other things.

The National Institute of Health published a study indicating the overall mean total cost of treating a burn is $15,250, but comprehensive treatment for severe burns may cost significantly more. With repeat plastic surgeries and skin grafts, the cost can total in the millions.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, hospitals use a number of different techniques to try to treat burn injuries. This may include debridement, which is the process of removing dead tissue. Burns are kept clean to prevent infection, and patients who have not had a recent tetanus shot will be given a shot.

Skin grafting may be necessary, which involves taking a piece of skin from elsewhere on the body or from a donor and placing it over the dead tissue where the burn occurred. Artificial skin is sometimes used if there are no other alternatives, but skin from the patient’s own body is typically preferred. Cosmetic surgery may be performed in an attempt to improve the function of the skin over the burned area and to improve the appearance of the burned area.

Costs of medical treatment vary based on the necessary procedures. LAC+USC has a Regional Burn Center, which opened in 2008 and which describes itself as the “most advanced center in Southern California.” The provided treatments may include the use of cutting-edge surgical equipment, integrated care focusing on overall health, and partnership with rehabilitation facilities.

Even with the best medical treatment, burns are often very painful injuries and disfigurement may be permanent. A burn injury victim should be compensated for the change in appearance and ongoing pain, with disfigurement in the face or in other visible areas of the body resulting in higher compensation amounts.

How Can a Long Beach Burn Injury Lawyer Help?

Your Injuries are Personal to Me

A Long Beach burn injury lawyer can help you to argue for full and fair compensation in a burn injury case. The Law Office of Michael D. Waks will work hard to get you the money you deserve after you have suffered a burn. Call 888-394-1174 or use the convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation.

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Michael Waks

Michael Waks is an aggressive advocate for people who have suffered because of someone else’s actions. Michael decided to become a personal injury lawyer when, while clerking at a legal defense firm during law school, he witnessed and was infuriated by asbestos manufacturers spending millions to avoid taking responsibility for the egregious injuries they caused. Immediately after passing the bar, Michael opened his own firm in Long Beach, CA to help the victims of personal injury accidents get every benefit owed them under the law.