Explosions and fires can cause serious injuries, leaving lifelong impacts on accident survivors and their family members. If you or one of your loved ones was injured in an explosion or fire, our Maryland burn injury lawyer can help you fight for compensation. By filing a personal injury claim, you may be able to get compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. If your injuries were job-related, you could also be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.
At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we assist burn victims and their loved ones with lawsuits against negligent landlords, maintenance workers, propane tank manufacturers, and others. If the fire or explosion was caused by somebody else’s mistake, we can investigate to determine what took place and who should be held liable. We are here to fight for you and uphold your rights as an accident victim. To set up a free legal consultation, contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras online, or call (410) 694-7291 to speak with our Maryland fire and explosion attorney today.
Categories of Burn Injuries
There are many different types of burn injuries. While most burns are caused by fire or scalding water, severe burn injuries can also result from chemicals, electricity, or even radiation.
Burns are also categorized by degree, indicating how severe an injury is. For example, a second degree burn is more serious than a first degree burn. Most burn injuries belong in one of the following categories:
- First Degree Burns – A first degree burn damages the outermost layer of skin, causing minor redness and irritation which typically heals within several days or weeks.
- Second Degree Burns – A second degree burn penetrates more deeply than a first degree burn, causing damage to the sensitive dermis layer beneath the epidermis.
- Third and Fourth Degree Burns – Third degree burns and fourth degree burns are medical emergencies, damaging every layer of skin and some of the tissue beneath, like muscle tissue.
Though less common, fifth and even sixth degree burns can also occur. These types of injuries can char bone, causing catastrophic tissue damage deep within the body.
What Are Some Possible Complications of a Burn Injury?
Burn injuries can cause excruciating physical pain, lead to the loss of fingers or limbs, and leave behind highly visible scarring on the face, neck, or other parts of the body. Serious or fatal complications can develop at different stages of the healing process, including:
- Amputation or loss of limbs
- Contracture of burned areas, which causes tissue to shorten and tighten
- Gastrointestinal ulcers
- Hypothermia and problems regulating body temperature
- Nerve damage and loss of sensation
- Rejection of skin grafts or transplants
- Respiratory problems from smoke inhalation
- Shock
- Wound infections and sepsis (septicemia)
Living through a fire or explosion can be a deeply traumatic experience, especially if the victim lost family, friends, or coworkers in the same accident. In addition to the physical devastation of a burn, survivors may struggle with invisible injuries, such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, or related conditions. the consequences of a burn injury are far-reaching, making skilled legal guidance essential when calculating damages and preparing your claim.
Compensation for Burn Injuries in Maryland
The survivor of a fire or explosion may be left with permanent disabilities, even as he or she faces costly medical bills. A burn victim may need reconstructive surgery to restore function, physical therapy to relearn everyday skills, and a series of surgeries or skin grafts.
Combined with a disabling injury, the high costs of medical care can place burn victims into a stressful situation. However, by filing a personal injury lawsuit, an accident survivor can pursue financial compensation for their losses and expenses.
Different types of compensation, or “damages,” could be available in a burn injury case, depending on the situation. it may be possible for a burn victim to get compensated for damages such as:
- Burn injury treatment costs, such as expenses associated with hospitalization, surgery, medication, skin grafting, debridement procedures, physical therapy, prosthetic devices, medical implants, and other medical exams, devices, or procedures
- Lost wages and income resulting from the injury, including diminished future earning ability
- Pain and suffering caused by burn injuries
Maryland Attorney for Injuries from an Explosion or Fire
At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, we are dedicated to providing quality legal representation to the victims of serious injuries caused by negligence and workplace accidents. Our injury lawyers in Maryland are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to help answer your questions about filing a lawsuit for burn injuries. Whether the fire that injured you was caused by a defective product, an unsafe building, a coworker’s mistake, or other safety hazards, our law firm is here to investigate your accident and fight for fair compensation. Contact us online right away to schedule a free legal consultation, or call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 694-7291.