Burn Injury Lawyers For New Hampshire And Vermont

Burns are one of the most severe injuries you can sustain in an accident. According to the American Burn Association (ABA), burns claim the lives of over 3,000 people every year and are responsible for countless other long-term and life-altering consequences. When your burn injury is the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to seek compensation well beyond the offerings of insurance companies. The best way to determine if you have cause to file suit is through a one-on-one consultation with the New Hampshire injury attorneys at Rousseau & Ross.

If you have been injured or a loved one has been killed by a burn injury in Vermont or New Hampshire, please contact Rousseau & Ross online or call our Lebanon office at 603-212-1176 today to schedule a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable attorneys.

Causes Of Burn Injury

The ABA reports that 40,000 hospitalizations occur every year due to burn injuries. Of these, 44% are caused by fire and 69% occur at home. Some of these injuries are caused by issues such as defective products and many of them affect children.

Other causes of burn injury include:

• Automobile accidents
• Dangerous premises
• Workplace accidents
• Chemical expovsure

No matter what the cause of your burn injury, you may be faced with a long road to recovery. Many burns result in disfigurement that requires reconstructive surgery, but severe burns can also damage muscle and bone, resulting in a complete loss of function. These more severe burns demand the attention of an experienced and dedicated team of burn injury attorneys.

Degrees Of Burns

First-degree burns are the most common. These minor injuries may be marked by red or swollen skin and slight discomfort, but typically do not necessitate medical care and do not qualify for legal action. Likewise, second-degree burns – marked by blisters and some changes to skin thickness – do not typically demand legal counsel. However, when these injuries are sustained along with other, more serious injuries, they may be considered as a part of your larger case.

You will want to call our burn injury lawyers if you sustain a third- or fourth-degree burn. These types of burns extend through the dermis to affect tissue, muscle, and even bone and will result in some amount of disfigurement, along with a loss of function and potentially fatal complications. When a serious burn occurs in an accident, even if you believe the accident was partially your fault, you may be able to receive significant compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Our burn injury attorneys can discuss this with you in greater detail during your free initial consultation.

Treating Burn Injuries

Treating a burn injury depends both on its cause and its degree. When serious, both emergency and ongoing treatment may be necessary. If you are not sure of the severity of your burn injury, it is always best to seek qualified professional medical attention.

Chemical Burns

To treat a chemical burn: Remove the cause of the burn by flushing the chemicals off the skin with cool water, remove clothing or jewelry, apply a cool, wet cloth to relieve pain, and wrap the burned area loosely with a dry, sterile dressing. However, if the burn victim is in any pain or you are unsure of the severity of the chemical burn, please SEE A PHYSICIAN.

It is especially important to see a doctor if the injured person is showing signs of shock, if the burn covers more than three inches, or is on the eye, hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or over a joint.

If you have any questions about the toxicity of the chemical, call the poison control center at (800)-222-1222.

Electrical Burns

An electrical burn can seem minor but damage can be extensive. Internal injuries such as heart rhythm disturbances, even cardiac arrest, can occur. It is important to call 911 and get immediate assistance if the person is in any pain, is confused, or is experiencing changes in his breathing, heartbeat or consciousness.

To help a victim of an electrical burn:

• Look first. Don’t touch. The victim may still be in contact with the source. If you touch the person, you may be electrocuted.
• Turn off the power source. If you can’t turn it off then move the source away from you and the victim with a dry nonconducting item such as cardboard, plastic, or wood.
• Check for signs of circulation. Check for breathing, coughing, or movement. If there are no signs, begin CPR.
• Prevent shock. Lay the person down with the head slightly lower than the body and legs.
• Cover the affected areas. Cover any burned areas with a sterile gauze or clean cloth. DO NOT use a blanket or towel as it can stick to the burn.

Burns From Fire Or Grease

To treat minor burns caused by fire or grease:

• Cool the burn. Hold the burned area under cold running water or submerge for at least five minutes.
• Cover the burn. Using a sterile gauze bandage, wrap the wound loosely. Avoid putting pressure on the wound.
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. This includes aspirin (if an adult), ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen.

If the burn is major, or you aren’t sure of the severity, call 911 immediately.

Fight For The Compensation You Deserve

Long-term therapy, loss of wages, and ongoing medical care are often necessary after serious burns. These expenses can add up quickly, leaving you without enough money to pay your medical bills. Victims of burn injuries deserve compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, adaptive technology, and personal pain and suffering. At Rousseau & Ross, we do our best to get our clients the maximum compensation for their injuries.

If you have been injured by a burn, please call our Lebanon office at 603-212-1176 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced burn injury lawyer today. We handle cases from across New Hampshire and Vermont.