Phoenix Burn Injury Lawyers Fight for the Rights of Victims
Aggressively advocating for Phoenix burn injury victims in Arizona
When faced with a burn injury, you are forced to deal with excruciating physical and psychological pain and scarring. Not only must you endure the pain associated with healing, but you must also bear the financial burdens of treatment, even while losing your income if you are unable to return to work.
The compassionate Phoenix burn injury lawyers of Plattner Verderame, P.C. have been advocating for victims of burn injuries for more than 30 years. This valuable experience means that you receive comprehensive representation from lawyers who understand the challenges you are facing. If you or a family member is the victim of a severe burn injury, let our team of compassionate litigators get you the justice you deserve.
How can we help?
What are the different degrees of burn injuries?
The severity of a burn injury can vary significantly. The medical community classifies burns into four categories, depending on the intensity of skin penetration:
- First-degree burns. Physicians often refer to these injuries as superficial burns, because they solely affect the outer layers of the skin. The burn area may appear red, but there is no blistering. First-degree burns generally heal without any long-term tissue damage.
- Second-degree burns. These injuries damage the outer skin layer. The burn site is typically red, swollen, and blistered. These burns may result in permanent scarring, but they rarely cause extensive, long-term damage or functional impairment.
- Third-degree burns. These injuries affect the outer and second layers of the skin. They may even extend down into the innermost layer of the skin. Unlike first- and second-degree injuries, third-degree burn areas appear white or charred. Treatment can take months and additional complications are common.
- Fourth-degree burns. These injuries are the most severe types of burns, causing extensive damage to the bones and muscles. In the majority of cases, a 4th-degree burn will lead to the death of the victim.
Our experienced Phoenix personal injury attorneys understand the suffering caused by a burn injury. At our firm, we have the resources to connect you with the medical providers and support resources you need to deal with the challenges of a life-altering burn injury. We then work with these professionals to effectively establish the extent of your injury to fight for the compensation you deserve.
How are burn injuries in Phoenix classified?
Stanford Health Care classifies burn injuries as:
- Thermal burns. These are burns caused by heat sources such as hot water, steam, hot metal, scalding liquids, and radiators.
- Chemical burns. Chemical burns can affect the skin, the eyes, and an accident victim’s breathing. Common causes include household cleaners, construction sites, solvents, acids, detergents, alkalis, auto manufacturing work, and other industrial work products.
- Radiation burns. Common causes of radiation burns include overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and X-rays.
- Electrical burns. AC and DC burns may be due to unsecured wires, power lines, faulty wiring, and other sources. These burns can cause shock and electrocution.
What types of accidents in Arizona cause burn injuries?
Severe burn injuries can result from a variety of events, and many are caused by the negligent actions of another individual or company. Our skillful Arizona burn injury lawyers have handled all types of burn accident lawsuits, including:
- Motor vehicle accidents. Cars, motorcycles, and trucks may ignite if there is any type of accident, due to defective fuel lines, and for other reasons.
- Construction accidents. Workers who suffer burn injuries due to defective work products or the negligence of contractors and owners can file product defect and personal injury claims. Employees are required to file workers’ compensation claims.
- Defective products. Possible products that may cause burn injuries are flammable clothing, electrical products, batteries, smoke alarms, and other products.
- Building fires. Apartments, residential homes, nursing homes, condominiums, businesses, and other building fires may be due to owner or tenant negligence, defective products, loose cigarettes, space heaters, household appliances, grills, heaters, and other causes.
Gas explosions are another common cause of burn injuries.
Using our extensive knowledge and resources, we investigate the specific details of these events to identify any and all negligent parties. Our lawyers then diligently work to establish a case that aggressively seeks compensation for your injuries.
Burn injuries due to electrical accidents
Electricity causes a lot of heat, and our skin is poorly equipped to handle extreme exposure to it.
Even low levels of electricity can lead to injuries or death. “Because the human body is a high conductor of electricity, the force it would take to move electrical current through the tissue is minimal. That means a minimum voltage of 50 V is enough to be lethal.” In fact, according to Burn & Reconstructive Centers of America, “More people die of a low voltage such as outlets, or during home wiring jobs because low voltage shocks can cause deadly cardiac defibrillation or heart arrhythmias.”
Our lawyers advocate for burn injury victims across Phoenix and have successfully represented people electrocuted and injured in various types of accidents, including:
- Power line accidents. These potentially fatal incidents cause a significant risk for electrical workers who often use metal ladders and other equipment in close proximity to power lines. As explained by the Occupational and Safety Health Administration (OSHA), power lines are extremely dangerous due to their high voltage levels.
- Switchgear accidents (transformer explosions). Electric transformers make the electricity produced at power plants usable for individual homes and businesses. When they explode, the resulting injuries can be fatal. While these transformers are usually located away from people, our attorneys have handled cases where individuals were severely injured by a switchgear accident.
- Construction site accidents involving electrical safety violations or third-party negligence. Electrical injuries are a serious workplace hazard, according to OSHA. These accidents typically happen through contact with power lines or transformer explosions.
When electrical systems fail or malfunction, serious fires can result. When an electrical fire occurs, multiple parties may be liable for resulting injuries
What are the treatments for burn injuries in Phoenix?
Severe burn injury victims are often treated at burn centers or emergency rooms. Immediate treatments often include ultrasound mist therapy, IV fluids, pain medications, wound dressings, IV antibiotics, a tetanus shot, and creams and ointments.
The Mayo Clinic states that treatments often include surgery to remove dead tissue, stop infections from occurring, using skin grafts (to replace damaged skin with healthy skin), working to reduce scarring, plastic surgery (to improve the victim’s appearance and increase joint flexibility), and to control the pain. Some burn injury victims require multiple surgeries. A tracheotomy to help the burn victim breathe may be necessary and feeding tubes may be needed to help the victim get the nutrition they need.
Most victims need extensive physical, occupational, and other forms of rehabilitation therapy which can help stretch the skin and help the victim regain muscle strength – among many other benefits.
Complications arising from burn injuries
For many victims, the long-lasting trauma of a burn injury is learning to live with the scars and disfigurement burn injuries often cause, especially if the burn damage is visible to others. Many burn injury victims need long-term psychological care.
Many burn patients may need health treatments for the rest of their lives. Possible complications from burn injuries include circulatory problems, blood loss, difficulty regulating body temperature, loss of skin elasticity, and adult respiratory distress syndrome.
Sadly, many burn patients may not survive. Our caring personal injury lawyers file wrongful death claims on behalf of the family when any individuals, businesses, or other entities are responsible for the death of a loved one.
Do you have a Phoenix burn injury lawyer near me?
At Plattner Verderame, P.C., our personal injury lawyers meet clients at our Phoenix office located at 316 E Flower St. We also have a Tempe office.
We understand that many burn injuries are immobile or unable to cope with their burns. We do meet burn victims at their homes or healthcare facilities when necessary. We also conduct video conferences by appointment.
We understand how traumatic burn injuries are. We’ll explain your rights, work with your doctors, and fight to obtain the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, and other damages.
Speak with an experienced Phoenix burn injury lawyer today
A delayed investigation could mean the difference between a high-value compensation and loss of valuable evidence. When you call us for help, our knowledgeable Phoenix burn injury attorneys start taking action to protect your rights and preserve vital evidence as soon as possible. We routinely work with professionals who can effectively analyze your accident scene and give an honest assessment of the cause. We are proud to say that our partners are certified as Specialists in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation by the Arizona Bar Association Board of Legal Specialization.
At Plattner Verderame, P.C., we approach every case with an unshakable commitment. We pride ourselves on providing top-notch legal representation to every one of our clients. Call us or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment.
"Warm, caring people that go the extra mile. They'll tell you exactly what the situation is and what to expect. I can't thank them enough for all of their help!"
- Andrea Sarich, 5.0 rating ★★★★★
Phoenix Office
316 E Flower St.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: 602-266-2002