The Long-Term Damage of a Burn Injury

If you or a loved one suffered a serious burn in an apartment fire, car accident, workplace fire, etc. you could be left with significant physical and mental scars that will remain with you for years, or even decades. You could also be inundated with large medical expenses, an inability to work resulting in lost income, mental anguish, and other pain and suffering damages.

Hold the Negligent Party Accountable

When someone else caused the burn injury as a result of their negligence you may be able to seek compensation for these and other losses. In these types of cases, the negligent party may be the landlord of an apartment or condominium complex, a business owner, or a reckless motorist.

In the landlord-tenant context, there are a series of rules and regulations that landlords must adhere to in order to ensure the safety of their tenants. For example, landlords need to ensure that:

• The electrical wiring in the home is up to date and installed safely
• Smoke alarms are working properly
• A working fire extinguisher is accessible to the tenant

Neglecting these responsibilities can result in a tenant suffering a life-altering injury if a fire breaks out on the premises.

If you suffered a burn injury in an automobile accident, the reckless driver that caused the collision can be held liable for your harms and losses. In some accidents, the automobile manufacturer could also be held liable for your burn injuries. For example, if a particular safety feature did not function properly and that proximately caused your burn injury, then the manufacturer may be liable.

Types of Monetary Damages Burn Injury Victims Can Pursue

When you hire an experienced Miami burn injury lawyer, they can file a lawsuit on your behalf against the negligent party and their insurance company to seek financial restitution for the following harms and losses:

• Medical expenses such as emergency care, surgery, treatment by specialists, prescription medications, etc. In addition, many victims of serious burn injuries develop ancillary diseases, including respiratory infections and other illnesses.
• Pain, suffering, mental distress, and psychological trauma associated with the incident. These harms are routinely referred to as “pain and suffering” damages.
• Lost income as a result of being forced to take time off of work to recover from your injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, you could be forced to miss weeks or months from work. Or, you may not be able to ever work again, which means you could pursue future earnings.

Contact a Miami Burn Injury Lawyer Today to Schedule a Consultation

If you or a family member suffered a serious burn injury in a car accident, building fire, or other incident, now is the time to speak to a lawyer to discuss your options. The Miami burn injury lawyers at the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. are here to help. Contact our office to schedule a free, confidential case review.

Resource:

natlawreview.com/article/burn-injuries-statistics-classifications-causes

An Encouraging Downward Trend In Apartment Fire Statistics

It is fortunate that there were no other victims as a result of the apartment fire; statistics provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show that both the number of apartment building fires as well as the number of deaths due to those fires have decreased since the early 1980s. In the 35 years of records provided, the total number of apartment structure fires has decreased from over 143,000 in 1980 to about 95,000 in 2015 and civilian deaths have dropped from over a thousand to just over four hundred during that same time span.

Burn Complications

Whenever someone is involved in a fire, a number of injuries can result. The two types of injuries most commonly caused by fires include smoke inhalation and burns. Complications from both types of injuries can be severe and long-lasting; those stemming from burns more commonly result from third-degree burns. Though all burns, from first-degree to third-degree, can result in infection when bacteria enters the broken skin, or tetanus, which affects the nervous system and can lead to issues with muscle contractions, third-degree burn victims are at the greatest risk of additional complications such as blood loss or shock. Additional risks associated with more severe burns include hypothermia and hypovolemia. Hypothermia can result when the body loses excessive heat and reaches a dangerously low temperature in response to the injury – which seems counterintuitive when thinking of burn injuries, but true nonetheless; hypovolemia results from the body losing too much blood when it sustains extreme burns. Both of these conditions can be life-threatening and result in further complications if not treated promptly and properly after the victim sustains his or her burn injury.

The Importance Of Prompt, Proper, and Thorough Burn Treatment

As with so many other types of injuries, prompt and proper treatment can make a huge difference in a burn victim’s recovery. Those who have suffered burns of a lesser degree are often able to avoid scarring and permanent damage with the right treatment, and risks of complications for victims of more severe burns can be lessened as well. It is important to recognize the need for physical treatment for the burn injuries; furthermore, in many cases, emotional or mental treatment may be necessary as well to achieve the fullest recovery possible.

Contact Us For Help With Your Burn Injury Case

If you have been injured in a fire and have sustained burn injuries, the Miami burn injury attorneys at the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. can help you to recover for your losses. Allow our experience with burn injury cases to work to your advantage as we help you to recover for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering associated with your injuries. Contact us now to speak with an experienced attorney about your case and get started towards recovery today.

Resources:

nfpa.org/news-and-research/fire-statistics-and-reports/fire-statistics/fires-by-property-type/residential/apartment-structure-fires

local10.com/news/1-dead-in-deerfield-beach-apartment-fire

Residents of a Hallandale Beach high rise were lucky to escape injury on a recent night when their building caught fire. The fire, which was allegedly sparked by a resident who was smoking on her balcony, injured the resident herself as well as a police officer, who required a trip to the hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation. Fortunately, however, there were no reports of additional injuries as a result of the incident.

Smoke Inhalation More Deadly Than Burn Injuries

Most often, when we think of injuries caused by fires, we think of burns. While burns are certainly quite serious, smoke inhalation is a common and quite dangerous injury suffered as a result of fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke inhalation is the cause of most fire-related deaths, not burns, as it can often incapacitate victims quickly and prevent them from behind able to make it out of the fire before it is too late.

Symptoms Of Smoke Inhalation

When a victim suffers from smoke inhalation, a range of symptoms may present themselves.  Coughing, shortness of breath, and hoarseness may be the most obvious to others besides the victim. Some of these symptoms are helpful in determining the extent of the injury such as the color of mucus produced by coughing or rapid or noisy breathing. Those suffering from smoke inhalation may also experience red and irritated eyes, a change in skin color, and soot in the nasal passages or throat. The victim may also experience symptoms such as headaches or changes in mental status that are not apparent to others. Even when the victim exhibits no signs of respiratory problems, they may have inhaled carbon monoxide, which can cause headache, nausea and vomiting, and periods of oxygen deprivation can cause changes in mental status and complications including confusion or seizures.

Smoke Sensitivity

Certain categories of people may be more sensitive to and more likely to suffer injury from smoke inhalation than others. Diabetics, young children, older people, and pregnant mothers are some of the categories of individuals who are likely to suffer more extensive injuries as a result of smoke inhalation; additionally, those who have a history of respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema, or those who have previously suffered cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, heart failure, or strokes are especially susceptible to more extreme smoke inhalation injuries.

Let Us Help You with Your Case

If you have suffered smoke inhalation injuries, or any other type of injuries, as a result of being in a fire, you may be entitled to recover for your losses. Medical bills and other costs of recovery, recuperation and rehabilitation can add up quickly, and if you have lost time from work as a result of your injuries, the situation can quickly become overwhelming. Help is available, and you need to get the facts. Speaking with an experienced attorney is the best way to learn about your rights and responsibilities when you have been injured in an accident. The attorneys at the office of  Alan Goldfarb, P.A. are here to help you do just that. Contact us today and let us help you get the results you deserve.

Resources:

wsvn.com/news/local/fire-breaks-out-at-hallandale-beach-high-rise/

nfpa.org/news-and-research/news-and-media/press-room/reporters-guide-to-fire-and-nfpa/consequences-of-fire

emedicinehealth.com/smoke_inhalation/page3_em.htm#smoke_inhalation_symptoms

Several passengers suffered minor injuries, some requiring hospital treatment, when they were evacuated from a plane scheduled to leave Chicago for Miami one recent Friday afternoon. The incident arose when an engine in the plane’s wing caught fire after blowing a tire on the runway. The takeoff was aborted and everyone on the aircraft was evacuated, but witness reports indicate that the process was not handled smoothly and it is truly a miracle that no one was seriously injured.

Airplane Accident Causes

Plane accidents seem extremely frightening because of the severity of the accidents; however, many people know (and accept) that airplane travel is, statistically speaking, the safest way to travel. When airplane accidents do occur, they are most often caused by one of the following factors:

• Defective design or manufacture of the plane
• Human error, including pilot, air traffic controller, or flight staff
• Mechanical failure
• Weather/nature
• Sabotage

From Start To Finish

Take-offs and landings are the phases of airplane travel during which accidents are most likely to occur because of various factors, such as the aircraft being close to the ground, moving at slower speeds, and maneuvering around more traffic than when in the skies. In fact, according to statistics gathered during Boeing studies, nearly half of all fatal airplane accidents occur during takeoffs and landings and the ascent and descent associated with each of these phases.

Common Injuries Sustained On Airplanes

An airplane does not have to be in an actual accident for passengers (and crew) to sustain injuries. In fact, a large percentage of all injuries sustained while on a plane occur during a flight due to turbulence. While the turbulence itself is often not the actual cause of the injury, as the pilots do alert passengers to turbulence and request that everyone put on their seat belts, turbulence can lead to injuries when it causes luggage to fall out of overhead bins. Additionally, passengers can sustain injuries while moving about the cabin, from unsecured drink carts, or because of a trip and fall on the way to the lavatory.

Were You Injured During A Flight? Contact Alan Goldfarb, P.A.

If you have been injured during a flight, you may be able to recover for your injuries from the airline or other entities due to their negligence. Seeking the advice of an attorney should be your first step if you find yourself in this situation – never agree to accept any type of settlement without first learning your rights. Our Miami mass transit accident attorneys at the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. will review your case to determine whether your injuries were the result of negligence and, if so, identify the negligent parties so you can work towards a full recovery. Contact us today to schedule your consultation at no charge or obligation.

Resource:

wsvn.com/news/us-world/american-airlines-flight-headed-to-miami-catches-fire-at-chicago-ohare/

Typical Fire Injuries

Fires cause many injuries and deaths every year – in fact, fires and burns are one of the highest causes of deaths at home. According to the American Burn Association, roughly 3500 deaths result from reported burn and fire injuries each year, and even more astounding is that there are nearly half a million burn injury patients who receive medical treatment for burn and fire injuries yearly. The two most common types of injuries that result from fires are burns and smoke inhalation, and more victims die from the latter rather than from burns themselves.

Types Of Burns

Burns range in severity from first to third degree, based on the extent of damage caused by the burn. Treatment and recovery differs depending upon the degree of the burn and the extent of the injury:

• First degree burns are the least severe of the three and affect only the outermost layer of the skin. Most often these injuries are accompanied by redness and swelling and can be painful. Treatment usually includes simple measures such as cleaning the wound, applying ointments and salves, and covering the wound to prevent infection. Recovery is usually quick with no scarring.
• Second degree burns may also cause swelling, but with this more severe burn a victim may also experience blotchy skin and blistering along with pain. These burns extend beyond the outer layer of skin into the deeper layers and depending upon the size of the burn may often be treated with similar measures such as a first degree burn. Recovery takes somewhat longer but in many cases scarring does not occur with these types of injuries.
• Third degree burns are the most serious and often require extensive treatment and longer recovery times. These injuries affect all of the skin layers as well as the fat underneath and may seriously affect the muscles and bones. Often times skin grafts and other reconstructive surgery is required to allow a victim who has suffered third degree burns resume a normal life afterwards. Recovery can be long and painful and in some cases the victim faces a lifetime of difficulties coping with long-term disabilities.

Legal Help With Burn Injuries

If you or a loved one has been injured in a fire and has suffered burns, the office of Alan Goldfarb, P.A., is here to help. Our burn injury attorneys have experience with all types of personal injuries including those suffered as a result of a fire and will help you to understand your rights and responsibilities under Florida law. Allow us to help you achieve the results you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and get started today towards recovery for your losses.

Burn Injury Causes

Burns occur when skin is exposed to extreme heat sources such as steam, fire, hot oil or hot water. Some burns are minor and can be handled at home. Workplace burns are also common and happen in restaurant kitchens, factories and metal processing plants. A burn can happen in any work environment where there is exposure to high levels of heat, hazardous materials or electrical equipment. Some cause of workplace burn injuries include:

• Smoke inhalation,
• Electrical burns,
• Exposure to industrial chemicals,
• Scalding,
• Over exposure to x-ray,
• Overexposure to UV rays,
• Chemical plant explosions,
• Defective products, and
• Factory fires.

Workers’ Compensation

If you sustain a burn injury at work, then you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides employees injured at work with coverage for medical expenses. Workers’ compensation also helps replace wages lost while an employee recovers from injuries.

Third Party Legal Claims

Unfortunately, workers’ compensation insurance does not offer payment for all expenses related to a burn injury. Workers’ compensation will provide you with coverage for losses such as disfigurement and long-term disability. You may be able to seek recovery for injuries not covered by workers’ compensation by initiating legal action against a third party. Additionally, through a third party legal claim, you maybe able to determine whether your injuries were the result of the negligent or reckless conduct of another party. A burn injury attorney will guide you through the process and may file a claim against another person or entity, such as a product manufacturer or chemical transplant company, to seek damages that would fill in the gap between your workers’ compensation payments and insurance.

Burn Injury Victims Deserve Compensation

Burn injuries leave victims with physical and psychological scars. Recovery from a burn injury may require years of physical and psychological therapy. There may also be expenses related to recovery that insurance does not consider (e.g. special equipment). The burn victim should not pay these unexpected costs. In the case of a fatal burn injury the victim’s family should be fairly compensated for their loss.

If you have suffered at burn injury while working, then contact the Miami burn injury lawyers at our firm. Our burn injury attorneys will use their experience to help you that you and ensure you are fairly compensated for your injury. Please contact us or call Alan Goldfarb, P.A. at (305) 371-3111 to discuss your case.