Cleveland Burn Injury Attorneys
Burn Injury Lawyers in Cleveland Who Win Big Cases
For burn injury survivors, the healing process often involves dealing with long-term complications. These can range from chronic pain to significant scarring and disfigurement. Patients may experience reduced mobility or require ongoing medical care, including surgeries and rehabilitation.
Psychological trauma is also common, as the emotional impact of adjusting to life after a burn injury can be profound. The Ohio Department of Health and the American Burn Association offer guidance for people who have experienced burn injuries.
If you’re suffering from burn injuries, contact the Cleveland burn injury lawyers at George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law today. We've been helping burn accident victims in Ohio for over 35 years. We can file a claim or lawsuit to help you get the money you need.
Based on peer reviews and independent research, Super Lawyers has recognized our firm's outstanding service, and George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law has a Distinguished Peer Rating for High Professional Achievement from Martindale-Hubbell.
Your initial consultation is FREE. Call (216) 621-3930 to learn more today.
What Causes Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries can occur in a variety of settings, and they frequently result from accidents that could have been prevented. Residential fires are a leading cause, often due to faulty electrical wiring.
Explosions, whether from gas leaks or combustible materials, can cause devastating burns and are frequently traced back to safety oversights. Scalding injuries from hot liquids are another prevalent cause, often occurring in commercial kitchens. Defective products that overheat, catch fire, or release dangerous chemicals also contribute to burn injuries.
In the workplace, especially in industrial settings, employees may be exposed to risks of thermal heat burns from machinery or chemical burns from hazardous materials. Industries such as manufacturing, construction, and food service present numerous hazards that can lead to burn injuries.
Thermal burns may be caused by industrial accidents involving heavy machinery or fires. Chemical burns occur when workers handle acids, solvents, or other caustic substances without adequate protective gear or safety protocols in place.
Electrical burns are a risk for those working with high-voltage equipment or during the installation and maintenance of electrical systems. Even in office settings, employees can sustain burns from malfunctioning office equipment or kitchen appliances. Employers have a responsibility to reduce burn risks by providing proper safety training, maintaining equipment, and ensuring a safe working environment.
Types of Burn Injuries
Common types of burns include thermal burns, chemical burns, electric burns, and radiation burns. Thermal burns, the most common type, result from contact with fire, steam, hot liquids, or other heat sources.
Chemical burns are caused by strong acids, alkalis, or other corrosive substances, which can eat away at the skin and deeper tissues. Electrical burns occur when an electric current passes through the body, potentially causing internal damage that might not be immediately visible. Radiation burns may be caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or other sources of radiation, such as medical treatments.
Burn injuries are classified based on their depth, severity, and the layers of skin affected:
- First-degree burns are the most superficial, typically resulting in redness and some swelling. These burns usually affect only the outermost layer of skin, known as epidermis.
- Second-degree burns are more serious, extending into the dermis, or the second layer of skin. These burns often cause blisters and intense pain.
- Third-degree burns penetrate deeper, affecting the full thickness of the skin and potentially damaging nerve endings, which can result in numbness.
- Fourth-degree burns are the most severe, extending beyond the skin into muscles and bones. These burns can be life-threatening.
Short-Term and Long-Term Treatment for Burn Injuries
Immediate response to a burn injury can significantly impact the healing process and outcome. For minor burns, cooling the area with running water and covering it with a clean, dry cloth is recommended.
More severe burns require professional medical attention. Emergency care for serious burn victims often starts with managing pain, preventing infection, and maintaining body temperature. In cases of third and fourth-degree burns, this may involve intravenous fluids to prevent shock, as well as the administration of antibiotics and tetanus shots as necessary. The extent of burns also determines whether a victim needs to be treated at a specialized burn center.
Survivors of severe burn injuries often face a long and challenging road to recovery that extends well beyond initial emergency care. Rehabilitation is a critical component of long-term treatment, encompassing physical therapy to improve mobility and strength, occupational therapy to regain everyday skills, and possibly surgeries to repair or graft skin.
Psychological support is often important for burn victims, as survivors often grapple with trauma, depression, or anxiety stemming from their injuries and the changes to their appearance.
How Your Cleveland Burn Injury Attorney Can Help
In burn injury cases, determining who is at fault is a crucial step of the legal process. George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law will investigate to find out who’s liable for your injuries. Liable parties may include a property owner who failed to address a known hazard, an employer who neglected workplace safety regulations, or the manufacturer of a defective product.
Contractors and businesses that don’t follow protocols or fail to provide adequate safety measures may be liable for burn injuries. Supervisors and employees who fail to adhere to safety standards can also be held liable. In Ohio, you may be able to seek punitive damages in cases where the defendant demonstrated malice or aggravated or egregious fraud.
Burn accident injury victims may be entitled to various forms of compensation. This can include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Medications
- PTSD
- Assisted living care
- Reduced quality of life
- Medical device
- Wrongful death
Are You Suffering From Severe Burn Injuries?
Contact the Cleveland personal injury lawyers at George Mineff, Jr., Attorney at Law right away. We’ve dedicated our legal practice to getting justice for people who’ve been harmed by the careless actions of others.
You won’t owe us anything unless we win.
Call (216) 621-3930 to schedule your free consultation.
Additional Information
- Spinal Cord Injury - National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Injuries of the Spinal Cord and Vertebrae - Merck Manual