Have you or someone you love suffered a burn injury in Boynton Beach due to someone else's negligence? A skilled Boynton Beach burn injury lawyer can pursue the compensation you deserve. Our dedicated team at Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers has extensive experience representing burn victims throughout southeast Florida.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that burn injuries can take on you and your loved ones. Let us fight for your rights and work tirelessly to hold the responsible parties accountable. Contact our Boynton Beach office today for a free consultation with a compassionate burn injury attorney who will prioritize your case.
Table of contents
- Why Choose Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers for Your Boynton Beach Burn Injury Claim?
- Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Boynton Beach
- Types of Burn Injuries
- Burn Injury Classifications
- Do I Have a Burn Injury Case?
- Who May Be Held Liable for a Burn Injury?
- Compensation Available to Burn Injury Victims
- Should I Accept the First Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company?
- Seek Justice for Your Boynton Beach Burn Injury with Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers
Why Choose Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers for Your Boynton Beach Burn Injury Claim?
When choosing a law firm to represent you in your Boynton Beach burn injury claim, you want a team of personal injury lawyers with the experience, dedication, and resources necessary to fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Here are several reasons to choose Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers:
Extensive Experience
Our attorneys have decades of combined experience handling complex burn injury cases in Boynton Beach and throughout southeast Florida. We understand these cases' unique challenges and know how to build strong, persuasive claims.
Proven Track Record
We have successfully represented countless burn injury victims, securing significant settlements and verdicts on their behalf. Our results show our commitment to excellence and tireless advocacy for our clients.
Compassionate Support
We recognize the immense physical, emotional, and financial strain that burn injuries place on victims and their families. Our team provides compassionate, personalized support throughout the legal process, ensuring your needs are met and your voice is heard.
Comprehensive Service
We handle every aspect of your claim, from thoroughly investigating your case and gathering evidence to consulting with medical experts and negotiating with insurance companies. This allows you to focus on your recovery while we fight for the justice you deserve.
No Fees Unless We Win
We believe that everyone deserves access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation. That's why we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no upfront costs and owe us nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Boynton Beach
Over 400,000 people are treated for burn injuries each year. Often, these injuries happen because someone was reckless or negligent.
Various accidents or incidents can lead to burn injuries, including:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- House or building fires
- Workplace accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be categorized by their causes and severity.
Here are the different types of burn injuries:
- Thermal Burns: These burns occur due to contact with hot objects, flames, steam, or scalding liquids. Examples include:
- Flame burns from fires
- Scald burns from hot liquids or steam
- Contact burns from touching hot objects
- Chemical Burns: These burns result from exposure to harsh chemicals, such as acids, bases, or solvents. They can occur in industrial settings, laboratories, or even at home from misuse of cleaning products.
- Electrical Burns: These burns happen when an electric current passes through the body, generating heat and causing tissue damage. They can occur from contact with live wires, faulty electrical equipment, or lightning strikes.
- Radiation Burns: These burns are caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun or tanning beds, as well as from radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
- Friction Burns: These burns result from skin rubbing against a hard surface, such as a rope or carpet, generating heat and causing abrasions.
Burn Injury Classifications
Burn injuries are also classified by their severity:
- First-Degree Burns: These burns affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis), causing redness, swelling, and pain. They usually heal within a week without scarring.
- Second-Degree Burns: These burns damage the epidermis and the second layer of skin (dermis), causing blisters, severe pain, and swelling. They may require medical attention and take weeks to heal, potentially leaving scars.
- Third-Degree Burns: These burns destroy both the epidermis and dermis, potentially damaging underlying tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and bones. The skin may appear white, black, or charred. Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention and may result in permanent scarring or disability.
- Fourth-Degree Burns: These burns extend beyond the skin and subcutaneous tissues, damaging muscles, tendons, and bones. They are life-threatening and require extensive medical treatment, often including surgery and rehabilitation.
Do I Have a Burn Injury Case?
Not all burn injuries necessarily warrant a lawsuit. In most cases, a burn injury claim must be based on negligence, which is the failure to exercise reasonable care that harms another person.
To have a successful burn injury case, you and your Boynton Beach burn injury lawyer must establish four key elements:
- Duty of Care: The defendant (the person or entity you believe to be at fault) must have owed you a duty of care. This means they had a legal obligation to act in a manner that a reasonable person would under similar circumstances to prevent harm to others. For example, a property owner has a duty to maintain safe premises for visitors, and a product manufacturer has a duty to ensure its products are safe for intended use.
- Breach of Duty: You must prove that the defendant breached their duty of care by acting or failing to act in a way that a reasonable person would have under the same circumstances. This could include a property owner failing to repair a known hazard or a manufacturer selling a product with inadequate safety warnings.
- Causation: You must demonstrate that the defendant's breach of duty directly caused your burn injury. In other words, you must show that you would not have suffered the burn injury if it weren't for the defendant's negligence.
- Damages: Finally, you must prove that you suffered actual damages due to the burn injury. Damages can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, and emotional distress.
If you can establish these four elements with the help of your lawyer, you may have a strong case for seeking compensation through a burn injury lawsuit. However, every case is unique, and the specific circumstances surrounding your burn injury will determine the strength of your claim.
Who May Be Held Liable for a Burn Injury?
In burn injury cases, examples of potentially liable parties include:
- Property Owners: If a burn injury occurs on someone else's property due to negligence, such as failure to maintain safe conditions or properly warn of hazards, the property owner may be held liable under premises liability laws.
- Employers: When burn injuries happen in the workplace, employers may be liable if they fail to provide a safe work environment, proper training, or necessary protective equipment. In most cases, workers' compensation laws will apply, but sometimes, a third-party claim may be possible.
- Product Manufacturers: If a defective product, such as a faulty electrical appliance or a flammable item of clothing, causes a burn injury, you can hold the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer liable under product liability laws.
- Contractors and Subcontractors: In construction site accidents involving burns, general contractors, subcontractors, or other parties responsible for site safety may be held accountable if their negligence contributed to the injury.
- Drivers: When burn injuries result from car accidents, the at-fault driver may be liable if their negligence, such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence, caused the crash.
- Chemical Manufacturers: If exposure to hazardous chemicals causes a burn injury, you can hold the chemical manufacturer liable if they fail to provide proper warnings, instructions, or safety measures.
- Medical Professionals: In rare cases, medical malpractice may lead to burn injuries, such as during surgical procedures or when using certain medical devices. In these situations, you can hold the medical professional or hospital accountable.
Compensation Available to Burn Injury Victims
Burn injury victims may recover compensation for:
- Medical Expenses: Burn injury victims can seek compensation for all medical costs related to their injury, including hospital bills, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment.
- Future Medical Costs: Severe burn injuries often require long-term care and treatment. Victims can pursue compensation for anticipated future medical expenses, such as reconstructive surgeries, rehabilitation, and therapy.
- Lost Wages or Income: If the burn injury prevents the victim from working, they can seek compensation for lost wages during their recovery period. This includes both current lost wages, and future lost earning capacity if the injury results in a permanent disability.
- Pain and Suffering: Burn injuries can cause immense physical pain and emotional distress. Victims may recover compensation for the pain, discomfort, and emotional trauma they endured.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Severe burn injuries can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement, which can have a profound impact on the victim's quality of life. Compensation may be available for the emotional distress and loss of self-esteem caused by these physical changes.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Burn injuries can prevent victims from participating in activities they once enjoyed, leading to a loss of enjoyment of life. Compensation may be awarded for this loss.
The specific compensation available will depend on the unique facts of each case, including the severity of the injury, the extent of negligence involved, and the impact on the victim's life. An experienced Boynton Beach burn injury lawyer can help you assess your damages and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Should I Accept the First Settlement Offer from the Insurance Company?
No, you should not accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company without consulting with an experienced Boynton Beach burn injury lawyer.
Here's why:
- Initial Offers Are Often Low: Insurance companies are businesses that aim to minimize their payouts. As a result, their first settlement offer is often much lower than what your case is actually worth. They hope you'll accept the offer quickly, without realizing the true extent of your damages.
- You May Not Know the Full Extent of Your Damages: Burn injuries can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences. When you receive the first settlement offer, you may not know the full extent of your medical expenses, lost wages, future treatment costs, or pain and suffering. Accepting an early offer could leave you without the necessary resources to cover these ongoing expenses.
- You Have the Right to Negotiate: Remember, you are not obligated to accept the first offer. With the help of your burn injury lawyer, you have the right to negotiate a settlement that fairly compensates you for your damages. Your attorney can assess your case, gather evidence, and present a strong argument for a higher settlement.
- Early Acceptance May Waive Your Rights: If you accept a settlement offer, you may be required to sign a release that waives your right to pursue further compensation, even if you discover additional damages later. This is why it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your case's value before accepting any settlement.
- A Lawyer Can Protect Your Interests: Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to protect their interests. By hiring a skilled Boynton Beach burn injury lawyer, you level the playing field and ensure that someone fights for your rights and interests throughout the settlement process.
Before accepting any settlement offer, consult a knowledgeable burn injury attorney who can evaluate your case, assess the offer, and advise you on the best course of action. They can help you negotiate a fair settlement that accounts for all your damages, ensuring you have the resources to move forward after a serious burn injury.
Seek Justice for Your Boynton Beach Burn Injury with Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury in Boynton Beach due to someone else's negligence, you deserve justice and fair compensation. The physical, emotional, and financial toll of a burn injury can be overwhelming, but you don't have to face this challenging time alone.
At Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers, our dedicated team of burn injury attorneys can help you navigate the legal process. With decades of combined experience and a proven track record of success, we have the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to fight for your rights and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
We understand that no amount of money can erase the pain and suffering you've endured, but seeking justice through a personal injury claim can help alleviate the financial burden and provide the resources you need to move forward. Our compassionate Boynton Beach personal injury lawyers will listen to your story, answer your questions, and provide the guidance and support you need during this difficult time.
Contact Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers today at (561) 800-8000 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we secure compensation for you.