Siefman Law LLC Logo
Call For A Free Consultation
(503) 395-2135

Portland Burn Injury Attorneys

Working Tirelessly to Protect Your Rights

Have you or a loved one suffered burn injuries that were caused by someone else's negligence? You may be entitled to financial compensation – compensation that our experienced Portland burn injury lawyers can help you pursue.

Burn injuries are painful and debilitating and can lead to long-term health consequences that require a lifetime of medical care. But when burn injuries aren’t your fault, those consequences shouldn’t be yours alone to bear.

The Oregon burn injury attorneys at Siefman Law LLC are ready to fight to get you the money and the justice you deserve, so call us today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Compensation for Severe Burn Injuries in Oregon

If someone else is responsible for your burn injuries, you may be entitled to receive different types of compensation. Filing a burn injury claim can help find the compensation you need to cover these expenses. Here are some damages you may recover:

Medical Expenses

Burn injuries often require years of medical treatment, which can be incredibly costly. Recoverable medical expenses may include:

  • Emergency room visits
  • Hospitalization costs
  • Surgeries, including skin grafts
  • Prescription medications
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Long-term care for severe burns
  • Future medical treatments related to the injury

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

Severe burn injuries can keep you out of work for an extended period, or even permanently affect your ability to work. You may be able to recover:

  • Income lost during your recovery period
  • Reduced earning capacity if your burns affect your ability to perform your job
  • Loss of future earnings if you're unable to return to work

Pain and Suffering

Burn injuries are often associated with intense physical pain and emotional distress. While it's challenging to put a value on these experiences, compensation for pain and suffering is an essential part of many burn injury claims.

  • Emotional Distress
  • The effects of a burn injury can lead to significant psychological impacts, including:
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • Body image issues due to scarring
  • Sleep disorders

Compensation may be available for the emotional toll of your injury and any necessary psychological treatment.

Disfigurement and Scarring

Burn injuries often result in permanent scarring or disfigurement. You may be entitled to compensation for:

  • The physical impact of scarring
  • Emotional distress related to changes in your appearance
  • Costs of cosmetic procedures to minimize scarring
  • Loss of Enjoyment of Life

If your burn injury has impacted your ability to do activities you once enjoyed, you may be able to negotiate damages for loss of enjoyment of life.

Loss of Consortium

In cases where a burn injury tragically results in death, the surviving spouse or family members may be entitled to damages for loss of consortium. Loss of consortium damages may include:

  • Loss of emotional support and companionship
  • Loss of love and affection
  • Loss of assistance with household duties
  • Loss of parental guidance and nurturing (for children)

While no sum of money can compensate for the loss of a family member, these damages aim to provide some measure of financial relief and acknowledgment of the profound impact of the loss on the family.

Liability in Personal Injury Cases

In order to receive compensation for a burn injury, you must prove that the other party is legally responsible for that injury, which involves establishing four different elements.

  1. The other party had a duty of care, which means that they had an obligation to behave or act in a way that would not harm others.
  2. A breach of that duty. You must demonstrate that the other party failed to show you the reasonable amount of care required, leading to a serious burn injury.
  3. You have to prove that the other party’s actions caused the circumstances that led to your injury.
  4. You must show that you were materially impacted by the other party’s actions in a way for which you can be compensated financially.

If you sustained your burn injuries in a car accident that was caused by another driver, that person would be liable for your injuries. If you sustained your burn injuries on someone else’s property, the person who owns or manages that property might be liable for your injuries.

The Oregon burn injury lawyers at Siefman Law LLC can run a detailed examination of the accident that contributed to your injuries to determine who is liable.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can be catastrophic, often resulting in severe pain, long-term medical treatment, and potential disfigurement. Here are some of the most frequent causes of burn injuries:

Traffic Accidents

Car accidents and motorcycle crashes are significant contributors to burn injuries. These incidents can be caused by:

  • Fuel fires: When a vehicle's fuel tank is compromised in a collision, the resulting fire can cause catastrophic burns.
  • Battery fires: With the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles, lithium-ion battery fires pose a new risk in traffic accidents.
  • Hot engine parts: Direct contact with overheated engine parts can cause serious burns, especially in motorcycle accidents.

If you've suffered burn injuries in a traffic accident, consult a Portland personal injury attorney to understand your rights and potential compensation.

Residential and Commercial Fires

Property owners, administrators, and landlords have a legal responsibility to maintain the safety of their premises. When they fail, innocent people can suffer severe burn injuries. Common causes of these fires include:

  • Faulty wiring
  • Improperly maintained heating systems
  • Lack of fire safety equipment
  • Blocked fire exits

In cases where negligence led to a fire and subsequent injuries, victims may have grounds for a premises liability claim.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns can occur in various instances. These injuries often result from:

  • Faulty electrical wiring
  • Poor insulation
  • Grounding issues
  • Exposed live wires

If you've suffered an electrical burn due to someone else's negligence, a personal injury lawyer may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and related expenses.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns require different treatment than thermal burns and can occur in various settings:

  • Workplace accidents
  • Improper handling of hazardous materials

If you've suffered a chemical burn as a result to inadequate safety measures or improper product labeling, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.

Scalding Injuries

Burns from hot liquids or steam are common and can occur in various situations:

  • Burst pipes releasing scalding water
  • Spills of hot beverages or food items
  • Contact with overheated surfaces

These injuries can be severe when the exposure is unexpected or prolonged. If you've suffered a scalding injury due to someone else's negligence, you may be able to compensation.

Types of Burn Injuries

There are four types of burns. Each type of burn is classified based on how deep into the skin the burn penetrates. The types of burns are:

First-degree burns

Penetrate the top layer of the skin, called the epidermis. These burns typically require only first aid, although, under certain circumstances, they can require more extensive medical treatment.

Second-degree burns

penetrate both the first and second layers of the skin, called the dermis. They require both first aid and further medical treatment.

Third-degree burns

penetrate all three layers of skin, including the fat layer. Damage is extensive and can be fatal without immediate and sustained medical intervention.

Fourth-degree burns

These are extremely serious burns that penetrate all three layers of skin, muscles, and bones. The burn may penetrate so deeply into the skin as to cause nerve damage. They require considerable medical care and are often fatal.

Long-Term Effects of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can have profound long-term effects on both physical and emotional well-being. Some common long-term effects include:

Scarring and disfigurement: Burn injuries often result in permanent scarring and disfigurement, which can significantly impact a person’s self-esteem and quality of life.

Chronic pain: Many burn injury victims experience chronic pain, which can be debilitating and interfere with daily activities.

Limited mobility: Severe burns can lead to limited mobility, affecting a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks and reducing their overall independence.

Emotional trauma: The psychological impact for burn injury victims can be severe, leading to conditions such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

These long-term effects highlight the importance of comprehensive medical and psychological care for burn injury victims.

Statute of Limitations for Burn Injury Cases

In Oregon, the statute of limitations for burn injury cases is two years after the date of the injury. This means that if you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, you have two years to file a lawsuit. Failing to file during this period may stop you from recovering damages.

Treatment for Severe Burns

Severe burns can result in serious medical complications. Treatment may involve:

Skin grafting: This treatment involves replacing permanently damaged skin with healthy skin taken from elsewhere on the body.

Amputation: When the burn penetrates into the muscles, bone, and other deep tissue of a limb, amputation may be required.

Reconstructive surgery: Severe burns may require reconstructive surgery to repair damage and minimize disfigurement.

Rehabilitation: Burns that cause nerve damage may reduce mobility. Rehab may help improve the victim’s ability to move that part of the body or to make adjustments based on these limitations.

Why Burn Injury Victims Should Work With Our Attorneys

If you have suffered a burn injury, hiring a Portland burn injury attorney is essential to navigate the complex legal process. A skilled attorney can help you:

Determine the cause of the burn and identify the responsible parties: Establishing liability is crucial for a successful claim.

Find evidence and build a strong case: An attorney can collect the necessary documentation and expert testimony to support your claim.

Negotiate with insurance companies and defendants: Securing a fair settlement often requires skilled negotiation.

Represent you in court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, an attorney can advocate for your rights in court.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation

Our Portland burn injury attorneys can help you recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs. Don’t hesitate to contact a Portland burn injury attorney from Siefman Law LLC today to discuss your case and determine the best course of action.

The Oregon burn accident attorneys at Siefman Law LLC have experience helping burn victims get compensation for their injuries. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Free Consultation

Call us now at (503) 395-2135 or fill out the form below and we’ll contact you as soon as possible to schedule a consultation.
Contact Form