Manassas Burn Injury Attorneys

Lawyers Helping Victims Recover From Severe Burns in Manassas, Virginia

Serious burns can be painful and traumatic injuries. The pain a person experiences will begin at the moment they are injured, and it can continue for months or years. Severe burns may damage the skin and affect underlying tissues, nerves, and organs. Intensive medical care will often be required, and the impact of a burn injury can affect nearly every aspect of a victim's life.

When a burn injury has been caused by another person's negligence, the injured victim may take steps to obtain financial compensation for the harm they have suffered. However, recovering compensation in these cases can be a complex process. The lawyers at Locklin & Coleman, PLLC represent burn injury victims, working to pursue accountability and obtain comprehensive compensation on behalf of our clients. We can help victims understand the full impact of their injuries and make sure they will have the resources they need to heal.

How Burn Injuries Can Be Caused by Negligence

Serious burn injuries can occur in a variety of circumstances, including:

Motor Vehicle Accidents and Fires

When a car accident occurs, a vehicle may ignite due to ruptured fuel lines or gas tanks, damaged electrical systems, or hot engine components that come into contact with flammable materials. If someone is trapped in a burning vehicle, they may suffer severe burns before they can escape or be rescued.

The person who was responsible for causing a car accident may be held liable for a victim's burn injuries and other forms of bodily harm. If injuries were caused by defective parts, such as fuel systems that caught fire due to design flaws, a manufacturer may also be held liable for the harm suffered by a victim. Our attorneys will take steps identify all parties who may be held responsible for motor vehicle fires, burns, and other accident-related injuries.

Chemical Spills in Truck Accidents

Many commercial trucks carry hazardous materials. When a truck accident results in a chemical spill, people nearby may experience serious chemical burns, respiratory burns due to the inhalation of toxic substances, and or other types of burns that occur when flammable chemicals catch fire. Our lawyers can identify the parties who were responsible for truck accidents or chemical spills, which may include truck drivers, shipping companies, or the manufacturers of defective truck parts.

Landlord Negligence and Building Fires

Property owners and landlords are required to protect people from harm while in their buildings. Fires may occur due to faulty wiring or other maintenance issues. These situations can be even more dangerous if a property owner did not provide the proper smoke detectors or fire suppression systems or if emergency exits had been blocked. When a building fire has occurred because of a landlord's negligence, tenants and visitors who suffer burn injuries may take steps to recover compensation from the property owner.

Pain and Trauma Caused by Burn Injuries

The pain caused by a severe burn can be intense, and it will often last for an extended period of time. Wound care procedures may need to be performed, including changes of bandages and dressings or cleaning to prevent infections. These procedures can add to the pain a victim experiences.

The psychological trauma of a serious burn injury can also be an ongoing concern for a victim. A fire, explosion, or other circumstances that led to a burn injury can be terrifying, and the traumatic memories of the event can continue to affect a person. Ongoing pain and the visibility of an injury can have an ongoing impact on a person's mental health, making their recovery even more difficult.

Complications From Burn Injuries

Additional concerns related to burn injuries may extend the amount of time needed for treatment, cause pain and discomfort, lead to higher medical costs, and cause other issues that can affect a person's overall health. These issues may include:

Infections

Burn wounds can lead to a higher risk of infections when pathogens enter the body. Some wound infections may progress to sepsis, a physical response that can be life-threatening. Intensive wound care, antibiotic treatments, and surgical intervention may be necessary to address concerns related to infections.

Inhalation Injuries

The fires that cause burns may also lead to injuries related to the inhalation of smoke, hot gases, or chemicals. These issues can cause serious damage to the respiratory system. A person may experience chemical burns in the airways and lungs, long-term pulmonary complications, or lung failure.

Nerve Damage

Deep burns can damage the nerves in and under the skin. This may lead to numbness or chronic pain in the affected areas. Nerve damage can affect a person's ability to feel pain in response to tissue damage, which can increase the risk of further injuries.

Contracted Skin and Related Limitations

As burn wounds heal, scar tissue can form that may be stiffer than normal skin. When significant scarring occurs on joints such as knees, elbows, or hands, it can restrict the range of motion in these parts of the body. This can lead to physical limitations, and surgical procedures or physical therapy may be needed to restore the proper range of motion. Burns affecting the hands can lead to significant disabilities, since they can prevent a person from performing fine motor movements involved in daily tasks.

Scarring, Disfigurement, and Long-Term Effects

For many burn survivors, the most serious consequences of their injuries will be the visible scars and disfigurement that remain after they heal. Burns affecting the face, neck, and hands can lead to disfigurement that can affect a person's interactions with others in their personal or professional life. The psychological impact of visible disfigurement may include depression, social anxiety, or withdrawal from activities and relationships. Ongoing psychological treatment will often be needed to help a person come to terms with the changes to their appearance.

Reconstructive surgery may help to improve a person's appearance, but burn scars can rarely be completely eliminated. The process of reconstruction may involve multiple procedures over many years, adding to the pain and discomfort that a person may experience. The financial and emotional costs of this process can be substantial.

Contact Our Manassas, VA Burn Injury Lawyers

A serious burn injury will need to be addressed correctly, but with legal help, a victim can take steps to obtain the compensation needed to address the harm that has been done. At Locklin & Coleman, PLLC, we work with burn injury victims to make sure they will be able to move forward and deal with the impact of these serious injuries. Contact our Manassas severe burn attorneys at 703-392-6686 to set up a free consultation.