New York Personal Injury Lawyers / Brooklyn Burn Injury Attorneys

Brooklyn Burn Injury Attorney

Sudden, severe injuries change the lives of Brooklynites in an instant. Severe burns rank among the most life-altering and catastrophic of these types of injuries. The physical, emotional, and financial impacts of severe burns frequently overwhelm victims and their families.

When someone’s careless actions or poor decisions lead to another person suffering a severe burn, New York law entitles the victim to receive compensation from the wrongdoer. The experienced Brooklyn burn injury lawyers at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP, have the skills and resources to pursue that compensation on behalf of burn victims. Call our Brooklyn Burn Injury lawyers today for a free case evaluation.

How can Jacoby & Meyers, LLP help me after a Brooklyn burn injury?

If you were burned in Brooklyn due to another’s wrongdoing, you deserve legal support. The burn injury attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP are prepared to help.

Too many Brooklyn burn injury survivors find themselves partnered with the wrong lawyers. Jacoby & Meyers, LLP’s team of qualified burn injury lawyers are knowledgeable, emphatic, and professional. Our deep understanding of New York law allows us to help our clients regardless of their injury circumstances.

Reach out to us today for a free case evaluation with a burn injury lawyer.

We build up our Brooklyn burn injury victim’s cases relying upon:

• Our experience and knowledge of the legal system so that we know how and when to file claims on behalf of our clients
• A thorough investigation to produce high-quality evidence that benefits your case
• Intensive preparation to ready our team and our clients throughout the legal process
• Personal service for every client
• Consultations with industry experts to strengthen our burn injury victims’ cases with the most compelling evidence to prove liability and damages

Severe Burn Injuries: An Overview

What makes severe burns feel so devastating, in particular, is that most of them are completely preventable, but they continue happening with tragic regularity. Burns represent “one of the leading causes of unintentional death and injury in the United States,” according to the American Burn Association. Data reflect that U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated almost half a million fire or burn injuries from 2011 to 2015. There is no reason to think that pace has slowed in the years since.

Living in Brooklyn does mean access to some of the finest hospitals in the country. Five local burn centers – two in Manhattan, one in the Bronx, one on Staten Island, and one in Nassau County—serve Brooklyn victims of severe burns. We have summarized some general information about burns below drawn from the online Health Library published by one of those burn centers, New York Presbyterian hospital.

Types of Burns

Burns are injuries to one or more layers of skin and, at times, the tissue and other body structures beneath it. Here are the broad categories of burns that doctors treat at burn centers:

• Heat burns (a.k.a. thermal burns). Intense heat, such as from an open flame, explosion, steam, scalding liquid, or touching a hot object, can damage multiple layers of skin.
• Cold burns. Extreme cold temperatures damage skin tissue by freezing or chapping it, such as in the cases of frostbite and wind burn.
• Electrical burns. Electricity burns skin in much the same way as intense heat, often when a victim touches a live wire or gets hit by lightning.
• Chemical burns. Caustic or toxic solids, liquids, or gases can cause chemical reactions that damage or destroy skin tissue, such as when battery acid spills on a person’s hands.
• Radiation burns. High energy waves and particles harm skin cells and the tissue beneath them. A sunburn is a form of radiation burn, as are the burns a person can suffer from radiation-based cancer treatments.
• Friction burns. Rubbing skin against a surface can generate heat and abrasion that burns the skin. A road rash from sliding along the pavement is a type of friction burn (usually after a motorcycle Accident),  as is the damage to one’s hands done by grabbing a fast-moving rope.

Burn Degrees of Severity

A system of degrees ranks burns by how much damage they cause to skin and tissue.

• First degree burns cause damage only to the outermost skin layer. These burns tend to heal on their own within a few days or a week. You can treat them at home with over-the-counter medications and ointments.
• Second degree burns (partial thickness burns) damage multiple skin layers. They frequently cause blistering, or appear spotted or white. You may need medical treatment for a second degree burn, because of the risk of the wound becoming infected.
• Third degree burns (total thickness burns) damage all layers of the skin and potentially the body tissue beneath it. Damaged skin appears tough and leathery when a third degree burn has occurred. These injuries require immediate medical attention, and pose a high risk of infection.
• Fourth degree burns destroy skin layers and tissue, and may damage body structures beneath them, such as bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and organs. Fourth degree burns pose a substantial threat to a victim’s life. They require immediate emergency medical care.

See a doctor immediately if you sustain a burn that seems like it might be worse than a first degree injury. Your health is too important to risk on guessing at whether your burn needs medical attention, particularly because all burns other than first degree burns carry a risk of life-threatening infection.

Common questions regarding burn injuries in Brooklyn

How are burns categorized?

Burns are categorized based on their severity and which layer of the skin they affect. Our skin is made up of several layers. The deeper into the layers a burn penetrates, the more damage it causes.

Burns can be categorized as:

• First-degree burns: Affecting the outer layer of the skin; may cause pain, redness, and swelling
• Second-degree burns: Affecting the outer and the underlying layer of the skin; may cause pain, redness, swelling, and blistering
• Third-degree burns: Affecting the deeper layers of the skin; cause white or blackened skin, which may also be numb

Even first-degree burns can be very painful and can be associated with serious injuries. Your burn severity does not necessarily limit your right to pursue compensation.

What types of burn injuries exist?

There are four primary types of burns:

• Thermal burns: Caused by contact with fire, hot liquids, steam, and other sources of extreme heat
• Chemical burns: Caused by contact with caustic substances like acids, alkali, or chemical explosions
• Light burns: Caused by sunlight or ultraviolet light
• Radiation burns: Caused by contact with nuclear radiation

Are burn injuries common?

Yes. According to the American Burn Association, almost half a million people receive medical treatment for burn injuries every year. There are 40,000 hospitalizations for burn injuries on an annual basis.

Why are burns so painful?

Burn injuries can produce serious pain. This pain is often exacerbated during wound cleaning, dressing changes, and rehabilitation. Burn doctors work to help treat their patients’ pain levels, but cannot always guarantee a pain-free recovery. Oral medications may be used to treat some pain; other forms of pain may require IV injections of methadone or morphine.

My burn site has open blisters. Why?

When burned skin heals, the newly growing skin is very fragile. The top layers of the skin take time to attach to the deeper layers. This process sometimes results in tears, blisters, and open areas on burns.

Should I seek medical attention for my burn injuries?

Yes. It’s a good idea to seek medical attention for any burn injuries. Many first-degree burns in children and adults can be treated at home, but it’s still always a good idea to get a medical professional’s evaluation and advice. Other burns require very aggressive professional medical care.

Seek medical help if someone’s burns:

• Cover their entire torso or an entire limb
• Cross a major joint (like the knee)
• Affect an infant under the age of three
• Affect someone elderly
• Injure the neck or face
• Appear to be second- or third-degree burns

Is it important to walk a lot after you burn your legs?

Consult with your medical care provider about what treatment and rehabilitation plan you should follow for leg burns. Your care provider might recommend walking to help you gradually heal from your leg burns. Walking helps improve blood flow and circulation in your legs. This promotes burn healing. There are lots of complications associated with recovering from burns, but many of them can be avoided through light exercise and motion.

Do any factors create a greater risk of burn injuries?

Yes. Even though everyone is at risk of suffering a burn injury, some populations are at a higher risk. The elderly often have slower reaction times than other adults—they can’t always avoid burn injuries. Young children are inexperienced with hot objects and have natural curiosity. Each of these age demographics is at a higher risk of burns than young and middle-aged adults.

Some items in the home or the workplace are also risk factors for burn injuries.

At home, the likelihood of burn injuries increases if there is a presence of:

• Faulty water heaters
• Poorly-labeled cleaning supplies
• Malfunctioning cleaning appliances (i.e. stoves)
• Defective electrical wiring

Where do burn injuries occur?

Brooklyn burn injuries occur in a wide variety of settings. Many are surprised to learn how common burns are and all of the places they frequent where there are risks of burn injuries.

In the workplace. Workplace accidents are some of the most frequent causes of burn injuries. The workplace is the second most common location for burn injuries to occur. Most office spaces generally present a low risk of burns, but certain occupations have a high burn risk. Examples of workplaces with a higher risk of burn injuries typically include jobs in the agricultural, industrial, and service industries. If a workplace involves heat, chemicals, or radiation, there’s a high risk of burn injuries.

In the home (especially in apartments). A high percentage of serious burn injuries occur in the home. Because home is where most people feel the safest, they might not be on alert of the burn injury hazards that exist.

Apartment fires are very dangerous and pose a significant burn injury risk. When someone rents an apartment, their landlord typically takes care of maintenance, and the renter thus might not be looking out for burn injury hazards. Apartment landlords are required to adopt and utilize certain fire safety precautions. When they fail to do so, it can result in unexpected, serious injuries.

Landlords may be held liable for burn injuries that occur on the properties they rent out. If a landlord is negligent and doesn’t provide adequate safety features (like fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and so on), they may be held liable for burn injuries.

At commercial properties and businesses. Burn injuries can also occur at commercial and business establishments where there is a risk of fire or exposure to hot substances.

Burns may occur at:

• Malls
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Nightclubs
• Grocery stores
• Fitness centers

Why do burn injuries itch?

Burn injuries itch as they begin to heal. The itching is caused by nerve regrowth and skin repair. Usually, these spots have a lack of natural oil production–such a deficiency doesn’t help with the itching! It may take months (or even years) for skin oil glands to repair and continue working as intended. Some people find that applying lotion to their burns helps minimize itching. Other measures that can help include wearing pressure garments, avoiding alcohol, and exercising.

Why do burn injuries feel tight?

A lot of burn survivors find that the skin on and near their burn sites begins to feel tight. This can present a challenge– especially if the burn affects a joint area like someone’s knee or elbow.

Skin should gradually stretch and become more elastic as it heals. If it does not stretch during the maturing and healing phase, though, it can become tight. Sometimes a doctor must recommend specialized medical equipment or anti-contracture positioning to minimize tightness.

How long do burns take to heal?

It depends on the burn. Most first-degree burns take a week to ten days to heal fully. Second-degree burns may take two or three weeks to heal. Third-degree burns may take much longer– and they often require medical intervention like surgery.

What should I do after a burn injury?

Following a Brooklyn burn injury, you are immediately faced with important medical, legal, and financial considerations. There are two particularly important steps you can take to protect your interests after a burn injury: documenting your injuries and reaching out to an experienced burn injury lawyer. These steps, of course, should come after you’ve received immediate medical attention for your burns.

Document your injuries. Take photos and videos of your burn injuries. it’s important to write down information about how, when, and where the burn occurred. You should also collect any witness’s personal contact information to share with your lawyer later. If your burn injuries make these efforts impossible or uncomfortable to you to do yourself, seek the help of a loved one or friend.

Reach out to a Brooklyn burn injury attorney. A Brooklyn burn injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and recourse after you’ve been hurt.

• A burn injury lawyer can help you determine the best course of action in your case, potentially bringing a lawsuit
• Burn injury lawyers have experience in burn injury cases and can help you figure out how to take on the high medical bills and exceptional damages that typically follow these injuries.

Can I file a lawsuit against the person or entity who caused my Brooklyn burn injury?

If you suffered a burn injury in Brooklyn due to someone else’s recklessness or negligence, you may be eligible to bring a lawsuit against them. You should work with an experienced Brooklyn burn injury attorney to determine how to proceed with your case.

Who can be held liable for a Brooklyn burn injury?

Any person or entity whose intentional, reckless, or negligent actions cause burn injuries may be held liable, that is, legally responsible for paying compensation.

The potential list of parties who could be found liable for Brooklyn burn injuries include:

• Drivers (car, truck, motorcycle, etc.)
• Product manufacturers
• Equipment and auto manufacturers
• Construction site operators
• Property owners

How are settlement amounts determined?

Determining a settlement amount is a complex process steered by negotiations between the parties. Legal professionals rely on many sources of information about your accident and your damages to calculate settlement demands.

Some things that will affect your settlement amount include:

• Liability: Is liability clear?
• Injury severity: The more severe and permanent injuries, the higher settlements generally are
• Resources: What resources are available? (e.g. insurance coverage?) Who was liable and what can they actually pay?

What compensation is available after a Brooklyn burn injury?

If you received burn injuries because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, you may be eligible to collect compensation. Burns can be some of the most traumatic and expensive injuries to treat. Some burns take years to fully heal. Severe burn injuries can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to recover from. Brooklyn burn injury victims can demand to be compensated for these costs. Burn injury victims often experience other costly impacts for which they may also be compensated.

Some examples of damages you could be eligible to recover compensation for include:

• Medical expenses: Including past, present, and projected medical expenses associated with the burn(s); this includes the cost of therapies, surgeries, prescriptions, custom medical equipment, and more
• Pain and suffering: To account for the physical pain of suffering burns
• Mental anguish: For the emotional and mental experience caused by injuries
• Property damage: If any of a survivor’s property was also damaged by burns
• Lost wages: To account for wages lost due to the burn injury
• Diminished earning capacity: If someone’s ability to earn money is diminished after their burns

Is it important to quickly investigate the circumstances that lead to a burn injury?

Yes. Timely investigation helps improve the likelihood of collecting critical, admissible evidence. It’s to your benefit to quickly retain a burn injury attorney and begin the first stages of investigation in your case.

Do I need a burn injury lawyer?

If you sustained a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness in Brooklyn, work with a burn injury lawyer. You deserve to recover full compensation for your experiences

, and insurance companies often undervalue claims when plaintiffs don’t hire an attorney.

You should reach out to our Brooklyn burn injury attorneys, in particular, if:

• Multiple people or parties contributed to your burns
• Your burn was caused by a defective product or defective equipment
• The insurance company is only approving payment for some of your treatment
• An insurance company wants to interview you
• An insurance company has offered you a settlement
• Your claim has been denied by an insurance company

An Established Brooklyn Burn Injury Law Practice

For over 40 years, Jacoby & Meyers, LLP has represented clients throughout New York City who have suffered catastrophic injuries through no fault of their own. Our sole mission as a law firm is to collect fair and just compensation for the innocent victims of other people’s careless, reckless, or intentional conduct.

Our firm has deep roots in all five boroughs. Many of our lawyers live in Brooklyn. We walk our dogs in Prospect Park. We catch Nets games at the Barclays Center. We take our kids to Coney Island. So, when a fellow New Yorker walks through our doors having suffered the tragedy of a severe, preventable burn, we take it personally. Our clients are our neighbors. Going to bat for them means fighting for fairness and justice in our community.

Over the decades, Jacoby & Meyers, LLP lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for our clients in burn injury cases. We cannot guarantee an outcome for any client, of course, but we can and do promise to treat our clients with the respect and compassion they deserve, and to fight tirelessly to see justice done on their behalf.

“Great experience with skilled legal individuals that know what they are doing.” -Nesha G.
★★★★★

Help From Our Brooklyn Burn Injury Attorneys

In the aftermath of a severe burn, victims and their families often struggle with deciding where to turn for help. The sudden, unexpected necessity of addressing pressing medical needs, and the financial strain that accompanies them, can feel instantly overwhelming and confusing. Some Brooklyn burn injury victims know they probably could use the help of an experienced attorney, but they might not know exactly why or what for.

Here are some the ways our experienced Brooklyn burn injury work to help a severe burn victim recover from catastrophic injuries:

By Investigating Facts, Circumstances, and Legally Liable Parties

Most of the time, there is little mystery to how a burn victim’s injury happened. A piece of equipment caught fire. Industrial solvent spilled. And so on. That does not necessarily mean, however, that the story of how events unfolded leading up to the burn injury is straightforward. Often, a severe burn represents the end-result of a cascade of poor decisions and careless or reckless actions on the part of one or more persons separate from the burn victim.

When a Brooklyn client seeks our help with a severe burn injury here at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP, one of our jobs is usually to investigate that series of events to identify who has fault for our client’s injuries. These individuals and/or companies may have a legal liability to our client for damages.

By Evaluating the Harm Done to a Client

Severe burns cause harm in a tragically-diverse number of ways. They often inflict extreme financial strain. Treating a severe burn can cost tens of thousands of dollars, at least, even when a victim has insurance. Burns also frequently keep victims and family members out of work while they focus on recovery, limiting their income. Then, too, severe burns cause extreme pain and suffering that does not necessarily translate into dollars and cents.

No burn victim deserves to incur these out-of-pocket and quality of life costs because of someone else’s careless or reckless actions. Another job of an experienced Brooklyn burn injury lawyer is to evaluate all costs to determine an appropriate and fair amount of money that a victim should demand as compensation from those whose actions caused harm. Money cannot make the pain and trauma of a severe burn go away, of course. But it can provide burn victims and their families with the resources and support they need to make a full recovery from circumstances they never should have had to endure.

By Negotiating Settlements With Wrongdoers

In New York, and across the country, another principal function of an experienced burn injury attorney is to negotiate with the parties whose actions caused a client’s burn injury, seeking a fair and reasonable payment of money as settlement of the client’s legal claims. Most, but not necessarily all, settlement negotiations occur between lawyers and insurance companies. The lawyer’s goal in those discussions is to leave the other side with no choice but to offer the largest reasonable payment to the lawyer’s burn-victim client.

By Taking Legal Action in New York Courts

Through skillful and diligent negotiating, our experienced Brooklyn burn injury attorneys can often reach a settlement with the parties who have a legal liability to our clients. That is not always the case, however. Sometimes, achieving justice and accountability for a client who has suffered a severe burn injury requires going to court to prove to a judge and jury how the client was harmed, and who should pay the client damages. The goal in going to court is to obtain a verdict from a judge or jury directing the parties whose actions caused the client’s severe burns to pay the maximum compensation available under the law.

Your Brooklyn Burn Injury Lawyers

Over their decades of legal practice, attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers, LLP, have earned a reputation as skilled, determined, tireless advocates for Brooklyn residents harmed by someone else’s wrongful conduct. We have the resources and experience to get results for victims of severe burns. Call us today at (877) 565-2993, begin a live, confidential chat with one of our representatives, or send us a message through our website for a free evaluation of your burn injury case.

Brooklyn Office

1711 Kings Highway
Brooklyn, NY 11229
1-877-488-1707

Client Testimonials

Review: 5/5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
“The team and Jocoby & Meyers are excellent. They make sure the client is well taken care of. They are great with communication and they take their time to make sure the client is satisfied. Will definitely recommend.”
Review by: Danielle H.

Check out some of our other reviews.