Alexandria Burn Injury Attorneys
We Can Help You Fight for Compensation After Suffering a Severe Burn in VA
If you’re not big on making your own food, you may think your risks of being burned are fairly low—after all, cooking equipment is the largest cause of house fires and the resulting burn injuries. However, we all live near burn hazards, many that we don’t often think of. By the time we notice them, it’s often too late.
Severe burns are among the most hazardous type of injury one can face. The recovery process often involves intense treatment, surgery, and lengthy rehabilitation. Even with the best medical attention, burn wounds can cause permanent scarring and a decreased range of motion.
If an accident caused by someone else resulted in bad burn injuries to you or someone you love, you may be able to receive compensation to help you with medical bills, lost wages, and non-economic damages. Our Alexandria burn injury lawyers at The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC can tell you what your legal options are, no matter the type of accident.
Call (571) 290-2390 for a free consultation* with our burn injury attorneys in Alexandria, VA.
What Is a Burn Injury?
A burn injury occurs when the skin or underlying tissues are damaged by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or friction. While some burns may be minor and heal quickly, others can be catastrophic, affecting multiple layers of skin and even internal organs. Severe burns often result in permanent disfigurement, nerve damage, loss of mobility, and psychological trauma.
Medical professionals typically classify burn injuries by degrees:
- First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin and may cause redness and pain.
- Second-degree burns damage deeper layers of skin and often result in blistering and swelling.
- Third-degree burns destroy all layers of skin and may affect nerves, muscles, and bones.
- Fourth-degree burns extend into muscles and bones and are often life-threatening.
Even burns that initially seem manageable can worsen over time or lead to serious complications such as infections or organ failure. This is why burn injury victims should seek immediate medical care and legal guidance as soon as possible.
Causes of Burn Accidents
Considering the four types of burns laid out above, it’s clear there are many elements beyond hot surfaces that can cause burns. Here are some situations that can lead to devastating injuries.
Fire
Direct exposure to open flames is a leading cause of thermal burns, whether from house fires, vehicle fires, or campfires. Burns from fire can be severe, causing deep tissue damage and potentially affecting large areas of the body.
Car Accidents
Most of our cars run on gas, and the rest are powered by high-voltage battery cells. Either of these can become a fire risk in the case of a collision. Because car accidents often cause other serious injuries, a victim may have trouble moving out of danger.
Hot Liquids
Burns from hot liquids, like boiling water, steam, or hot beverages, are especially common among young children and the elderly. Scalds often happen in the kitchen or bathroom, where boiling water or hot tap water can be involved.
Hot Objects
These burns occur when skin comes into direct contact with a hot object, such as a stove, iron, curling iron, or oven. This type of burn can happen quickly and often leads to localized damage.
Steam Burns
Exposure to hot steam can cause serious scald injuries, particularly in industrial settings or during kitchen mishaps involving pressure cookers or boiling pots.
Explosions
Explosions can cause flash burns or severe injuries from the flames. Industrial accidents, gas leaks, or accidents involving fireworks or fuel can lead to explosions, resulting in severe burn injuries.
Acids and Alkalis
Strong acids (like sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid) and alkalis (like lye or ammonia) can cause significant burns. These chemicals may be found in household cleaning products, industrial cleaners, or lab environments.
Household Products
Common household items like drain cleaners, bleach, or pool chemicals can cause burns if they are spilled or come into prolonged contact with the skin. In some cases, even improper handling of batteries can cause chemical burns.
Industrial Chemicals
Workers in chemical manufacturing, construction, or laboratories are at higher risk for chemical burns due to exposure to corrosive substances in their work environments. Proper safety measures are critical in these industries.
Workplace Hazardous Exposure
Many workers in industrial jobs use strong chemicals and may not have enough protective equipment to keep them safe in case of an accident. Unsafe practices set by a factory or warehouse manager/owner can endanger many—and make an employer liable for any injuries that occur as a result.
Electrocution
Though more common on construction sites than in other workplaces, anywhere employees can come into contact with power lines or open circuits poses a heavy risk.
The Devastating Impacts of a Burn Injury
The consequences of a serious burn injury go far beyond the initial pain. Many burn victims face long-term or even lifelong challenges that affect every aspect of their lives.
Physical impacts may include chronic pain, nerve damage, limited mobility, scarring, and the need for multiple surgeries or skin grafts. Severe burns often require specialized treatment at burn centers and months or years of rehabilitation.
Emotional and psychological impacts are also common. Burn survivors frequently experience depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and reduced self-esteem due to disfigurement or permanent scars.
Financial impacts can be overwhelming. Medical bills, rehabilitation costs, prescription medications, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity can place enormous strain on a victim and their family. An Alexandria burn injury lawyer at The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC works to recover compensation that reflects the full scope of these losses.
Proving Liability in a Burn Injury Case
To successfully pursue a burn injury claim in Virginia, you must show that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. This often involves demonstrating:
- The at-fault party owed you a duty of care
- That duty was breached through negligent or reckless behavior
- The breach directly caused your burn injury
- You suffered damages as a result
Potentially liable parties may include negligent drivers, property owners, employers, manufacturers of defective products, or contractors who failed to follow safety standards. Virginia’s strict contributory negligence rules make it especially important to work with an experienced attorney who can build a strong case on your behalf.
Compensation Available for Burn Injury Victims
Burn injury compensation is intended to help victims rebuild their lives. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to recover damages for:
- Emergency medical care and hospitalization
- Ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In cases involving extreme negligence or misconduct, additional damages may also be available. A skilled Alexandria burn injury lawyer can evaluate your case and pursue maximum compensation.
Burn Injury Claim FAQs
How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in Virginia?
In most cases, Virginia law allows two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation.
What if the burn happened at work?
You may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, and in some cases, a third-party personal injury claim may also be possible.
Do I really need a lawyer for a burn injury case?
Burn injury cases are often complex and heavily disputed by insurance companies. An experienced Alexandria burn injury lawyer can protect your rights, handle negotiations, and fight for fair compensation.
How much is my burn injury case worth?
The value of a claim depends on factors such as the severity of the burn, long-term impact, medical costs, and lost income. An attorney can provide a clearer estimate after reviewing your case.
How an Alexandria Burn Injury Lawyer Can Help
At The Barrera Law Firm, PLLC, we are dedicated to helping burn injury victims in Alexandria, VA, hold negligent parties accountable. We handle every aspect of your case—from investigating the cause of the injury and gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and, if necessary, taking your case to court.
Call our Alexandria burn injury attorneys at (571) 290-2390 for your free consultation*.
