St. Petersburg Burn Injury Lawyer

Burns are among the worst pain imaginable. They are caused by heat, flame, hot liquids, chemicals, electricity, radiation, friction, etc., resulting in damage to the skin or other tissue. The severity depends on the amount of energy absorbed into the body. And they can be highly life-threatening if not treated promptly and adequately. Some burn injuries may result in permanent disfigurement or even loss of life. Our team of St. Petersburg burn injury lawyers represent clients throughout St. Petersburg. Our extensive experience has helped many victims recover fair settlements for countless personal injury claims. If you have been injured due to a fire, electrical accident, chemical spillage, explosion, or any other incident involving burning materials, it’s crucial to know your rights as well as the relevant laws. You can count on us to help you review your case and explore the best legal options available. Our St. Petersburg personal injury lawyers offer free consultations, so don’t hesitate to call our St. Petersburg office today for yours.

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Major Causes of Burn Injuries in St. Petersburg

According to the American Burn Association, ABA, 486,000 people require emergency hospitalization annually due to burns. Every year, thousands of people suffer from burns in St. Petersburg alone. These injuries result from different types of negligence, such as faulty wiring, unsafe workplace practices, defective appliances, auto accidents, and more. Below are just a few examples of how these accidents occur:

• Electrical Accidents – Electric shock occurs when an electric current passes through the human body. This type of accident usually results from contact with live wires, faulty extension cords, or exposed power lines.
• Fireworks – Firework explosions are common occurrences during New Year’s Eve, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Halloween, and Christmas. However, they also pose severe risks to those who handle them. For example, fireworks can cause severe burns, blindness, paralysis, and death.
• Hot Water Heaters – Most homes use water heaters to provide warm showers and baths. Unfortunately, these devices can lead to severe injuries if they malfunction. Common problems include overheating, leaking pipes, and gas leaks.
• Industrial Fires – St. Petersburg is the hub of many industries that rely heavily on machinery and equipment. But these machines can fail unexpectedly, causing fires and burns. Industries like oil refineries, steel mills, paper plants, and chemical factories are prone to industrial fires.
• Home Appliances – Household appliances like stoves, ovens, microwaves, and washers/dryers can explode or catch fire. Faulty heating elements, faulty wiring, and worn parts are the most common causes of home appliance fires.
• Motor Vehicle Accidents – When a negligent driver crashes your car on one of St. Petersburg’s busy roads like I-275, Tropicana Avenue, or Dale Mabry Highway, the chances are that an injurious explosion may follow. The resulting damage could be catastrophic, including permanent disfigurement, long-term pain, loss of an organ, etc.
• Gasoline Spills – Fuel tankers are common figures in St. Petersburg interstates and streets. While fuel tanks are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, they can rupture under certain circumstances. A ruptured tank will likely leak fuel onto nearby areas, causing dangerous fires.

The Severity of Burn Injuries

Burns can range from minor to life-threatening depending on how deep the skin gets burned. They can also vary in size, shape, color, and location. Essentially, the severity of burns gets measured in degrees, and the higher the degree, the more severe the burn. Here are the four primary categories and the level of medical attention they require:

First-Degree Burns

These burns involve partial thickness (the outermost layer of the skin). First-degree burns usually cause blisters, but they can also lead to infection, scarring, and even death. If left untreated, first-degree burns can spread into deeper layers of the skin, leading to second-degree burns. Doctors may treat them with topical medications, bandages, and surgery.

Second-Degree Burns

These burns involve full-thickness (all layers of the skin), and they often cause blistering, peeling, and bleeding. Second-degree burns are more severe than first-degree burns and call for immediate treatment. Depending on the area affected, doctors may treat them with topical medications, antibiotics, bandaging, and surgery.

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns are considered the worst kind of burns. These burns involve full-threshold thickness (the entire skin depth) and can lead to tissue destruction, necrosis, or even loss of life. Third-degree burns typically require surgical intervention, such as grafts, flaps, or amputation.

Fourth-Degree Burns and Beyond

Fourth-degree burns are the worst kinds of burns imaginable, as they involve full threshold thickness and can lead to gangrene, septicemia, or death. The injuries require amputations or other surgeries to save lives.

What to Do After a Burn Injury in St. Petersburg

A burn injury can be hazardous, especially when it involves third-degree burns or worse. A burn injury can be life-threatening because the skin contains many vital organs, such as blood vessels, nerves, lymph nodes, sweat glands, hair follicles, and bones. When these organs get damaged, they can become infected, leading to organ failure or, worse, loss of life. If you suffer a burn injury, you should take the following steps to ensure your proper recovery and compensation for your damages:

1.) Seek Medical Assistance

After suffering a burn injury, you’ll want to take specific steps to ensure that you receive proper care. You should immediately contact emergency services, especially if you think there’s any danger of further damage. You should also see a doctor right away to determine whether you need to go to the hospital. While at the hospital, you should also undergo further tests to ensure that you’re okay.

2.) Document Everything Related to Your Burn Injury

Before meeting your St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer to discuss your case, you want to prepare the following crucial materials and information:

• Pictures of your burns and the environment where you got exposed to the injuries. Photos represent concrete evidence of what happened and help prove your claim against those responsible for causing your burn injury. Be sure also to take pictures as your wound heals or worsens.
• Medical records from doctors who treated you after the incident. These documents will provide details about how much time you spent in the hospital, what treatments you received, and the extent of your injuries. Medical bills can add up quickly, so you don’t want to miss out on getting reimbursed for them.
• Medical bills related to your treatment. If you suffered a severe burn injury, then it’s likely that you incurred substantial medical expenses. Make sure that you keep track of all of your medical bills and submit them to your attorney.
• Your account of what happened. Include everything that happened before, during, and after the incident. These include what caused the fire, how long it took to extinguish, etc. It’s also helpful to note what witnesses and bystanders may have said or done.
• A journal about any pain and suffering due to your injuries. If you experienced severe pain or other symptoms while recovering from your burn injury, you should document this in a journal. Note anything that might affect your ability to work or enjoy yourself.

3.) File a Personal Injury Claim

Once you get discharged from the hospital, you’ll want to consult with an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury lawyer who will help you pursue a claim against the negligent party responsible for your burn injury. Your lawyer will work with you to gather evidence about the incident and how it caused your injuries. They will then use this information to build a case against the liable party.

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What Damages Can You Recover for Your Burn Injuries?

Your St. Petersburg burn injury lawyer will put their best foot forward to help you recover maximum compensation for your damages. Depending on the severity of your burn injury, you could be entitled to the following damages:

Medical Bills

You may receive compensation for any medical expenses incurred due to your burn injuries. It also encompasses any future medical costs that may arise from your burn injury. For example, if you suffer from scarring, you may need reconstructive surgery to remove the scars.

Lost Wages

If you can’t return to your previous job due to your burn injury, you may collect lost wages. This would include any salary or benefits that you missed while undergoing treatment.

Pain and Suffering

Burns are often painful, mainly when they cause permanent damage. As such, you may receive compensation for the pain and suffering that you endured due to your burn injury.

Property Damage

Burns can destroy property, which means that you may be able to file a claim for any resulting losses. This includes clothing, furniture, electronics, autos, and more.

Additional Compensation

In some cases, you may recover additional compensation based on your unique circumstances. For instance, if you were working at home and injured by a defective product, you may be eligible for extra compensation under Florida Statutes.

Petersburg Burn Injury Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file a negligence lawsuit against my landlord?

The short answer is yes. You may file a negligence lawsuit against your landlord if fire safety precautions are non-existent or inadequate. In this scenario, you could argue that your landlord failed to maintain the premises properly, leading to your injuries.

How do I know if I can recover compensation?

Call us to know for sure, but at its core, you may recover compensation if you meet these three criteria:

1. Someone else’s negligence caused the accident.
2. The accident resulted in bodily harm.
3. The bodily harm was not self-inflicted.

What is bodily harm?

Bodily harm means any physical pain, illness, disability, or loss of consortium. It doesn’t matter whether the injury happened in person or through a third party, like a car crash or slip and fall. You may sue the responsible party for compensation if you suffer from such damages.

Speak With a Qualified St. Petersburg Burn Injury Lawyer to Understand Your Options!

Perenich is your go-to St. Petersburg burn injury law firm if you or your loved one has suffered a burn injury due to another party’s negligence! Our reliable attorneys have the experience, resources, and dedication to handle all types of burn injury claims. Here’s a quick breakdown of why you should trust us to handle your burn injury claim:

• We provide free consultation and professional legal advice on the best options to pursue
• Our lawyers are overly accommodative and responsive and will answer all your questions and take calls
• We live no stone unturned in preparing and filing your burn injury claim with the negligent party’s insurer
• We establish the valuation of your past, present, and future damages to guide our argument of how much compensation you deserve.
• Our legal team has your best interests at heart and will work tirelessly to establish all the material facts (including witness statements) necessary to prove your claim.
• NO, we don’t sideline our clients. Instead, we work hand in hand with burn injury victims, their families, and witnesses throughout the claim and compensation process. That involves keeping you posted on the phone, arranging regular in-person meetings, and providing detailed updates as needed.

Now it’s all your call! Contact Perenich Law today at (727) 669-2828 for your initial consultation with our qualified St. Petersburg burn injury lawyers. We’ll discuss your case in detail and determine your next step.

Contact A Burn Injury Lawyer

Perenich Law Injury Attorneys – St. Petersburg Office

Phone: (727) 290-0890

Address: 111 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701