Bailey & Partners Seeks Justice for Burn Injury Victims

SANTA MONICA, CA, November 05, 2010 (Press-News.org) Of all types of personal injuries that one could suffer, burn injuries are probably the most traumatic. Burns can be excruciatingly painful and slow to heal. Multiple surgeries and skin grafts are common, as is nerve damage, disfigurement and loss of function in the injured area. Death is often an unfortunate result. Physical and emotional scars can last a lifetime. Statistics from the American Burn Association show 2.4 million burn injuries annually that receive medical attention, 75,000 of which require hospitalization. Between 8,000 and 12,000 burn victims die from their injuries. Another 10,000 people with burn injuries die each year due to secondary complications such as infections and pneumonia. In many instances, burn injuries are the result of someone else's negligence and you are entitled to recover compensation for your damages. If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. At Bailey & Partners our experienced burn injury attorneys will protect your rights and help recover the compensation you deserve.

What are the Most Common Causes of Burn Injuries?

Serious burn injuries can be caused by any number of sources, including the following examples:

* fire
* hot liquids (scald burns)
* chemicals
* steam
* electricity
* flammable liquids or gases
* radiation
* explosions

How is the Severity of a Burn Determined?

The severity of a burn injury falls into one of three different categories:

First degree burns: characterized by the blistering of the epidermis (the top layer of skin). Minimal tissue damage is involved. Sunburn is an example of a first degree burn.
Second degree burns: affect both the epidermis and the underlying layer of skin (dermis). These burns cause swelling and blisters, and may affect the sweat glands and hair follicles.
Third degree burns: all layers of the skin are burned and the underlying tissue is damaged. Immediate medical attention is needed. Permanent scarring is likely. Rehabilitation and plastic surgery are also usually necessary.
Other burns: airway burns occur when the trachea or lungs are burned by intense smoke inhalation or heat.

Who is Responsible for your Burn Injuries?

Any person (or entity, such as a corporation), whose negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct caused a burn injury can be held liable to the injured party. Some of the most common include:

Motor vehicle drivers (including drunk drivers): many burn injuries are caused by automobile accidents, and the negligent driver can be held responsible for injuries.
Product manufacturers: many burn victims have suffered injury as a result of defective products. For example if faulty electrical wiring in a house caused a fire, the manufacturer of the wiring may be liable, as well as the contractor who built the house if he or she knowingly used substandard wiring or if the electrician improperly installed it.
Property owners: burn injuries often happen because of dangerous conditions on someone else's property. Business owners, landlords, and owners of private property have a duty to ensure the safety of customers and guests. If someone is injured due to dangers that should have been corrected, the property owner may be liable.

What Damages are Recoverable?

Under California law, a person who has suffered burn injuries may be entitled to recover:

* past and future medical expenses
* past and future loss of income
* loss of earning capacity
* pain, suffering, and emotional distress
* ongoing care and rehabilitation expenses
* costs of counseling
* loss of consortium (claimed by the victim's spouse for loss of romantic/sexual relationship)
* punitive damages (if the defendant's conduct was intentional or reckless)

California Burn Injury Attorney

A serious burn injury is devastating not only to the victim, but to the victim's family and loved ones as well. Burn injuries can cause scarring, permanent disfigurement, multiple surgeries and adversely affect the victim's personal relationships and employment. The experienced burn injury attorneys at Bailey & Partners work hard to recover the maximum amount of compensation possible to cover medical expenses, loss of income, and other quality of life issues.

Website: http://www.baileypartners.com