Bridgeport Burn Injury Lawyers

Attorneys for Severe Burns in Fires or Explosions in Bridgeport, CT

Burn injuries are among the most painful and traumatic injuries a person can experience. These injuries may require emergency treatment, multiple surgeries, and extended rehabilitation, and they may lead to a lifetime of challenges. Severe burns can destroy skin and underlying tissues, leaving victims with permanent scarring, disfigurement, chronic pain, and functional limitations that affect nearly every aspect of their lives.

The skin serves as a protective barrier against infections while allowing for sensation and providing regulation for body temperature. When burns damage large areas of the skin, the body can lose these critical functions. Victims may be at risk of life-threatening infections, they may struggle to maintain normal body temperature, and they may lose sensation in affected areas. The healing process can be excruciating, and it can take years.

In addition to physical trauma, burn victims may face psychological challenges. Visible scarring and disfigurement can affect a person's self-image and emotional well-being. Many burn survivors develop depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

When burns have been caused by someone else's negligence or reckless behavior, victims can take steps to obtain financial compensation that will address the full scope of their damages and provide them with resources during their recovery. The attorneys at Tremont Sheldon P.C. can provide the legal representation needed to maximize the compensation that burn injury victims can receive.

Situations Where Burn Injuries May Occur

Severe burn injuries can happen in various settings, and they may be caused by someone's failure to maintain safe conditions or follow the proper safety procedures. These situations may include:

• Residential Fires: Electrical problems, heating equipment malfunctions, cooking accidents, or candles can cause homes to ignite. Landlords who fail to maintain smoke detectors, provide adequate fire exits, or address electrical hazards may be liable when tenants suffer burn injuries. Defective space heaters, faulty wiring, and other dangerous conditions can lead to fires that may trap occupants and cause severe burns.
• Hotel Fires: Residents and guests may be injured when building owners fail to maintain fire safety systems. Missing or non-functioning smoke detectors, locked fire exits, missing fire sprinklers, and inadequate escape routes can contribute to injuries when fires occur. Building code violations that compromise fire safety can provide grounds for premises liability claims.
• Car Accidents: Burn injuries may occur when vehicles catch fire due to spilled gasoline or short circuits in electrical systems. Victims may be trapped inside burning vehicles, unable to escape before suffering severe burns. Defective fuel systems, faulty electrical components, or inadequate fire suppression systems in vehicles can contribute to these fires.
• Defective Products: Appliances, electronics, batteries, and other consumer goods can cause burn injuries when they overheat, catch fire, or explode. Lithium-ion batteries in phones, laptops, and e-cigarettes have been known to explode, causing severe burns. Defective space heaters, hair dryers, and other electrical devices can overheat and ignite. Manufacturers who sell dangerous products may be liable for injuries caused by these products.
• Explosions: Incidents at industrial facilities, construction sites, or in buildings with gas leaks cause burn injuries and blast trauma. Natural gas explosions in homes and businesses may occur when utility companies fail to maintain infrastructure, when contractors damage gas lines, or when appliances malfunction. Propane tank explosions at homes and businesses can cause catastrophic injuries.
• Scalding Injuries: Spills of hot liquids may occur in restaurants, nursing homes, and other facilities. Children and elderly people are particularly susceptible to scalding injuries.
• Chemical Burns: People who are exposed to strong acids, bases, or other corrosive substances can suffer serious burn injuries. Improper storage of chemicals or truck accidents involving hazardous materials can lead to chemical burns that may affect bystanders.
• Electrical Burns: When electrical current passes through the body, it can cause entry and exit wounds and damage to internal organs and tissues. Defective wiring, downed power lines, and other electrical hazards can cause these serious injuries.

Effects of Burn Injuries on Victims

The physical effects of severe burn injuries can extend throughout the body, and they can last a lifetime. Scarring can develop as burns heal, with scar tissue forming thick, inflexible areas that may restrict movement. When burns cross joints, contracting scar tissue can limit a person's range of motion, and surgeries may be required to correct these issues. Victims may need occupational therapy to maintain function and prevent further tightening of scar tissue.

Chronic pain is a constant concern for many burn survivors. Damaged nerve endings can cause discomfort, hypersensitivity, and pain that may not respond well to typical medications. The itching that accompanies healing burns can be severe and relentless, interfering with a person's sleep and daily activities. Some victims may experience pain for years or even decades after the initial injury.

The risk of infections is high for burn victims. Damaged skin may not protect against bacteria and other pathogens. Even after wounds close, scar tissue is more vulnerable to breakdown and infection than healthy skin.

Disfigurement from burn scars can profoundly affect a person's quality of life, particularly when burns are visible on the face, neck, or hands. Despite advances in reconstructive surgery, severe burn scars may be permanent. The psychological impact of disfigurement can be as debilitating as the physical limitations.

Psychological trauma can be a serious issue for burn survivors. A fire or explosion that leads to a burn injury can be terrifying, and the lengthy, painful treatment process can be traumatic. Depression is common as victims struggle with changes to their appearance, limitations on their activities, and chronic pain. Anxiety may occur when a person is triggered by reminders of the incident. Victims may also experience social withdrawal due to self-consciousness about their appearance.

Victims may struggle with employment challenges if burn injuries prevent them from returning to their previous jobs. Physical limitations, scarring, and ongoing medical needs can make finding and maintaining employment difficult. Some burn victims may never return to work, leading to a permanent loss of income and career opportunities.

Compensation for Victims of Burn Injuries

Our lawyers work to ensure that victims will be able to receive compensation that will address their ongoing needs. Medical expenses for burn injuries may exceed hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Emergency treatment and burn center care can be expensive. Multiple surgeries for skin grafts, scar revision, and reconstruction may be required. Physical therapy and occupational therapy may continue for months or years. Medications and psychological counseling can add to a person's ongoing expenses. Compensation can help ensure that these costs will not bankrupt victims and their families.

Lost income during a person's recovery can devastate a family's finances. Severe burn injuries may require a person to spend months or years away from work. Compensation can address these lost wages, allowing a person to maintain their standard of living and meet their financial obligations while they focus on healing.

Pain and suffering compensation may also be available, and it will acknowledge the physical pain and emotional distress that burn injuries have caused. While no amount of money can undo the trauma or eliminate a person's suffering, financial compensation can address the profound impact on a person's quality of life while providing some measure of justice.

Contact Our Bridgeport, Connecticut Burn Injury Attorneys

The pain, scarring, and life changes that a burn injury has caused can feel overwhelming. When someone else's negligence was responsible for a severe burn injury, a victim should not have to bear the financial burden alone. At Tremont Sheldon P.C., our attorneys help burn injury victims obtain full compensation for their damages. We understand the medical complexities of burn cases, the extensive treatment required, and the lifelong impact these injuries have on victims and their families.

Schedule a free consultation with our Bridgeport severe burn injury lawyers by calling 203-335-5145 or contacting us online. We will review your situation, explain your legal options, and discuss how we can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.