Recovering from severe burn injuries is a long-term process. To ensure a smooth recovery, you need to focus on getting rest. However, doing so may be difficult if you pursue compensation for your injuries without the help of an experienced burn injury lawyer.
Luckily, you don’t have to face this difficult time alone. A Denver burn injury lawyer at The Wilhite Law Firm can advocate for your rights and interests, allowing you to focus on fully recovering. We will review your case, evaluate your legal options for seeking compensation, and work tirelessly to pursue the financial relief you deserve. Learn more about how we can help during a free initial consultation with one of our seasoned catastrophic injury attorneys.
The World Health Organization (WHO), which tracks burn injury statistics and trends, reports that most burn victims suffer injuries at home or in the workplace—settings where a Denver burn injury attorney can help identify liability.
What Are the Different Types of Burn Injuries?
Understanding burn classifications can help your Denver injury lawyer evaluate the cause and severity of your injuries. There are different types of burn injuries based on their causes:
Thermal burns – These burns result in tissue cell death due to contact with a heat source. For instance, someone might suffer a thermal burn if they accidentally touch a hot stovetop.
Radiation burns – Radiation burns result from exposure to UV rays or other forms of dangerous radiation. Burn injury victims may develop radiation burns over long periods due to prolonged radiation exposure.
Chemical burns – People suffer these burns as a result of contact with dangerous chemicals, like acids.
Electrical burns – Electrical currents cause these burns.
A person’s risk of sustaining specific burns often depends on their profession and lifestyle. For example, an electrician is more likely to sustain electrical burns than the general population.
What Are the Severity Levels of Burn Injuries?
Our burn injury attorneys in Denver rely on recognized medical standards to demonstrate how severe a burn injury is and how it affects a victim’s life. The American Burn Association categorizes burn injuries based on severity. The categories of severity are:
First-degree or superficial – A mild sunburn is an example of a first-degree or “superficial” burn, affecting only the skin’s outer layer. Wounds may be red and painful but will typically heal without significant complications.
Second-degree or partial thickness – A superficial partial-thickness burn may result in blisters and intense pain. A deep partial-thickness burn wound can cause more significant damage. However, burn injury victims may experience less pain from these burns as a result of nerve damage.
Third-degree or full thickness – Full-thickness burns damage the outer and middle layers of skin, destroying nerve endings. They result in dry wounds that may appear charred and white. Third-degree burns can be severe enough to damage underlying bones, muscles, and tendons.
How Are Burn Injuries Treated Medically?
Treatment for burns often involves burn rehabilitation and integrated medical care from specialists such as plastic surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and occupational therapists. Some of the medical treatments for burns include:
Skin grafting and cosmetic reconstruction
Pain management
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Counseling
Complex wound care
Our Denver burn damage lawyers ensure these long-term medical needs are fully reflected in your claim.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Burn Injuries?
Determining fault is a critical step handled by a Denver burn injury attorney. If your burns were caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Liable parties may include:
Motorists, if you suffered burns in a traffic accident
Manufacturers, designers, or retailers, if you suffered burns due to a defective product
Property owners or managers, if you were burned in a private residence or on commercial property
If you suffered injuries at work, you may have a right to file a workers’ compensation claim to recover compensation for your injuries and income losses. Workers’ compensation is no-fault insurance, available regardless of who is at fault for injuries. You may need to submit evidence with your claim proving that your injuries are work-related, which an experienced lawyer from The Wilhite Law Firm can help you do.
How Can Our Attorneys Help Prove Liability?
Determining who is liable may require investigating the circumstances of your injury. A Denver burn injury attorney can gather and preserve crucial evidence to build a strong case against the at-fault party. Your lawyer may collect the following evidence to prove liability:
Police or incident reports
Photos of the scene where the burn injuries happened
Surveillance camera footage that shows how the injuries occurred
Statements from eyewitnesses
Testimony from medical experts
What Compensation Can I Receive for My Burn Injuries?
If you file a burn injury claim, you may recover compensation for the following financial and personal losses:
Medical expenses, including surgeries, hospital stays, doctor’s visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and mobility equipment
Lost income for time away from work while you heal
Loss of future earning capacity and benefits if your injuries prevent you from returning to work
Incidental costs, such as mileage to doctor’s appointments
Physical pain and suffering due to your injuries or medical treatments
Emotional distress, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Loss of quality of life due to your injuries or permanent scarring and disfigurement
Costs to repair or replace damaged personal property
Our Denver burn accident lawyers ensure no category of damages is overlooked.
How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Claim?
Under Colorado law, an injury victim has two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in civil court. This may sound like plenty of time, but gathering evidence to build a solid case can take months. You should immediately contact a local burn injury lawyer in Denver to protect your right to seek compensation through a civil lawsuit.
Call a Denver Burn Injury Attorney to Get Started on Your Legal Claim
A Denver burn injury lawyer at The Wilhite Law Firm understands that these injuries can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. We can help you seek the compensation and accountability you deserve from at-fault parties. Contact our office today to discuss your legal options during a free initial case review.
Hands down the best law firm in Colorado. I would highly recommend this law office to friends and family.
Fernanda Vargas
5 star service. They explained the process in detail and got great results. Thanks again!
Merari Hernandez
I’m so glad I reached out to Wilhite Law Firm after I was injured in a car accident. They made the process super easy. Thank you!
Carolay Rodriguez Torres
I had a great experience with Marianella. They got me the maximum out of my case! I would recommend them to anyone!
Beltrán Rodriguez
Great staff! They are always available to answer questions and concerns and care about their clients!
Edna Morán
I was extremely happy with the results that was achieved by my attorney at Wilhite Law Firm. Thanks Marianella!
Cristina Jiménez Durán
Excellent service, very grateful for the professionalism, attention throughout my process and the human quality of Mateo López.
Sebastian Tovar
I would like to thank Marianella from the Wilhite law firm for the hard work in getting a full policy limit from both insurances in my case. Highly recommend!
Alejandro
Marianella helped me get the compensation I deserved for my injuries and also made sure that I received the proper medical care I needed. Thank you!
Jorge Lopez
I had the pleasure of working with Vanessa and Marianella, who handled my case. They were very professional and great at communication.
Jordan Warner is originally from Minnetonka, Minnesota. She attended the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where she earned a degree in Global Studies prior to earning her law degree at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law.