Vero Beach Burn Injury Lawyers
Vero Beach, FL
Burns are excruciating injuries, often sensitive to touch. They can also leave behind visible scars that are painful emotional reminders of the tragic incident that led to the injury. Knowing that someone else’s negligence is responsible for your burn injuries can compound the pain you feel.Â
If you suffered a serious burn injury because of someone else’s carelessness, you have legal options for holding the at-fault parties accountable for their inactions. The burn injury lawyers at Gould Cooksey Fennell Law Firm can discuss them with you during a free case review. We look forward to meeting with you and discussing how we can help.Â
Who Is Responsible for Burn Injuries in Florida?
Personal injury victims can pursue compensation from the parties legally responsible for their injuries. This is usually the negligent party who was responsible for the fire or other cause of the burn and who failed to exercise reasonable care to prevent the burn from occurring.Â
Depending on the circumstances, liable parties may include:
- Motorists
- Property owners
- EmployersÂ
- Product manufacturers
- Mechanics
An experienced burn lawyer can review your case and explain who should compensate you for your injuries.Â
What Financial Compensation Can I Recover from a Burn Injury Caused by Negligence?
Burn injuries can cause extensive financial harm to victims. The medical costs alone can be exorbitant and may include:
- Ambulance rides
- Emergency treatment
- Hospital stays
- Imaging tests
- Surgeries
- Specialist visits
- Follow-up care
- Physical therapy
- Reconstructive surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Prosthetics and medical devices
- In-home care
- Nursing care
- Medications
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Burn injury victims can seek compensation for these medical expenses, as well as other losses, such as:
- Lost wages
- Disability and impairments
- Reduced earning capacity
- Loss of quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
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Let the experienced attorneys at Cooksey Fennell Law Firm fight for the compensation you deserve.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Am Partially Responsible for the Accident?
Some burn injury victims do not pursue a claim for compensation because they think they were partially at fault. However, you should know that Florida’s modified comparative fault system allows you to recover compensation for accidents in which you were partially at fault as long as you are not deemed more than 50% at fault for the accident.Â
Your compensation can be reduced proportionately to your degree of fault. For example, if you are found to be 25% at fault for the accident, your damages can be reduced by 25%. However, this still allows you to collect the remaining 75% of the damages you are entitled to.
How Much Is My Burn Injury Claim Worth?
Every personal injury case is different. Burns may impact victims in different ways. Some may only be minor, while others may be life-altering. An experienced lawyer can review your case, assess how the injuries have affected you and will throughout the remainder of your life, and work with experts to determine an accurate value of your case.
How Can Gould Cooksey Fennell Help?
Burn injury lawyers are legal professionals who have an in-depth understanding of how burn injuries impact the daily lives of survivors and the legal pathways to recovering compensation for them. A burn injury lawyer can help your case by:
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- Conducting a thorough investigation to determine how the burn injury occurred, identify parties responsible, and gather critical evidence to support your personal injury case
- Accurately assessing damages so you do not take a settlement offer from the insurance company that does not consider the long-term impact of your injuries and future needs
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf for maximum compensation
- Litigating the case when insurance companies fail to make a fair settlement offer
What Is the Burn Injury Lawsuit Filing Deadline in Florida?
Like with other personal injury cases, the deadline to file a lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. If you do not file your case within this statute of limitations, you can forfeit your right to compensation.Â
Types of Burns
Different types of burns can occur. Each has its risks and possible medical treatments.Â
Thermal BurnsÂ
A thermal burn occurs when the skin comes into contact with a hot object, such as a flame, steam, scalding liquid, or other heat sources. Thermal burns are common in explosions, building fires, defective appliances, and workplace accidents.Â
Chemical BurnsÂ
A chemical burn happens when the skin is exposed to a corrosive substance, such as acid, detergent, alkali, cleaning agent, or toxic chemical. Chemical burns can occur in the workplace, laboratory, or other setting. They can affect the skin and eyes.
Electrical Burns
Electric currents from tools, electronics, power lines, equipment, or other electric items can cause shocks that burn a person’s skin. An electrical burn can severely damage the skin, as well as internal organs like the heart and brain. Â
Friction BurnsÂ
A friction burn occurs when a hard object or surface rubs or scrapes at the skin, such as pavement, when a motorcyclist crashes.Â
Radiation Burns
A radiation burn derives from overexposure to the sun, x-rays, or other forms of radiation.Â
Degrees of Burns
Burns range in degrees of severity. Some burns can be treated with basic first aid, while severe burn injuries can cause permanent damage. Burn injuries generally fall into the following categories:
First-DegreeÂ
A first-degree burn damages only the top layer of the skin called the epidermis. First-degree burns generally do not require extensive medical intervention. A mild sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn.Â
Second-DegreeÂ
A second-degree burn causes damage to the epidermis and the dermis, the layer of skin immediately under the epidermis. Depending on the burn, damage may be superficial or deep. Signs of a second-degree burn include skin that is:
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- Bright red
- Swollen
- DryÂ
- White
- Shiny
- WetÂ
- Blistered
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These burns can leave behind scarring or a permanent change in the skin’s color. Burn victims with this type of injury may take several weeks to heal. Some burn injury victims require skin grafts to repair their skin.Â
Third-DegreeÂ
A third-degree burn destroys the epidermal and dermal layers of skin and extends into the tissue underneath. Third-degree burn victims may not experience pain due to this level of burn because it can cause nerve damage, cutting off messages between the skin and the brain. Some third-degree burns affect internal organs and tissues. Skin with this level of burn appears charred and leathery.
Depending on the circumstances, third-degree burns may result in amputation or limit the functionality of a limb or other body party. Third-degree burns may require skin grafts or other surgeries to treat. These burns can sometimes necessitate long-term medical care.
Fourth-DegreeÂ
A fourth-degree burn extends even farther than a third-degree burn to the bone and muscle. Fourth-degree burn injury victims may lose function in the burned area. These life-threatening burns require immediate medical attention. These burns do not always heal and can permanently alter the victim’s appearance.
More severe burns are generally not survivable.Â
If you suffered severe burn injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue monetary compensation for the medical bills, debilitating pain, and other losses you have experienced. Our experienced burn injury lawyers can review your case and determine all negligent parties.
What Are Common Causes of Burns in Florida?
Burns can occur for various reasons. Leading causes of burns include:
- Residential fires – According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking was the leading cause of residential fires, responsible for 51% of all residential fires that fire departments responded to. Heaters are the second leading cause of fire.
- Commercial fires – Fires can also occur in commercial settings, including restaurants. They can also occur in multi-family units, posing a risk to many tenants and visitors.Â
- Motor vehicle accidents – Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles can result in serious burn injuries in the event of an explosion or if a hot car part comes into contact with the skin.Â
- Workplace injuries – Exposure to corrosive chemicals and other abrasive materials can result in serious burns. Those in the construction industry are at an increased risk of coming into contact with live wires or otherwise being burned on the job.
- Radiation exposure – This can occur at medical offices, hospitals, and other sites.
- Defective products – Electrical appliances and other gadgets that are defectively designed can cause electrical burns or catch fire. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that electric dryers were responsible for 2,900 fires in residential buildings in a recent three-year period.
- Arson – Sadly, some people intentionally set fires to burn buildings or other property with no regard for the safety of others.
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At Gould Cooksey Fennell Law Firm, our trial attorneys work with fire investigators and expert witnesses to help determine how the burn happened and identify all responsible parties.Â
Complications of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can have a devastating effect on victims. Some of the complications that can arise due to these injuries include:
InfectionÂ
When the skin is broken, it is vulnerable to bacteria infiltrating the body. Severe burns that extend through multiple layers of skin increase the likelihood that harmful bacteria will seep in, causing infection. This infection can get into the wound site and the bloodstream, potentially causing septic shock that results in the organs shutting down.
ScarringÂ
Many burns result in scars that permanently alter the victim’s appearance and serve as an upsetting reminder of the traumatic event. Some scarring can cause limited mobility. Scarring can also cause psychological and emotional trauma that alters a burn injury victim’s perception of themselves. Sometimes, this psychological trauma outlasts the physical pain of the burn.Â
Other Complications
Burns can have life-threatening effects and other consequences that affect a victim’s daily life, including:
- Limb loss
- Disfigurement
- Chronic pain
- Loss of sensationÂ
- Limited mobility
- Emotional trauma
- Depression
- PTSD
- Respiratory problems
- Shock
- Nerve damage
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Our law firm represents individuals who have suffered catastrophic injuries. Contact us to learn how we can make things right for you.
Medical Treatment for Burn Injuries
Burn injury victims may require different phases of treatment, which may include:
Emergency TreatmentÂ
Patients with serious injuries from burns may require emergency treatment. Medical professionals may need to remove the burned skin and tissue. They may also need to provide treatment for smoke inhalation. This emergency treatment may lead to hospitalization.
Surgery
Healthcare providers may complete an initial surgery. Additional surgeries may be necessary to reduce or eliminate scarring that interferes with the victim’s activities of daily living.
Skin GraftsÂ
Skin grafts are a common treatment option for people with severe burn injuries. This process uses a person’s healthy skin to replace the damaged area with the skin. Patients must be given fluids through an IV to prevent shock and dehydration.Â
Wound CareÂ
Burn wounds require frequent cleaning and monitoring. A healthcare provider may check on the wound and redress it to prevent infection. The patient may need a tetanus shot and antibiotics. These treatments are often painful.
Therapy
Victims may need to complete physical therapy to increase their mobility. Additionally, they may require psychological counseling to deal with the disfigurement and trauma of the experience.Â
Reconstructive SurgeryÂ
The victim may need multiple reconstructive surgeries to minimize the effects of scars and to restore their former appearance.Â
These are costly medical procedures, but a burn injury victim may be able to pursue a compensation claim from the parties responsible for their injuries.Â
Contact Our Burn Injury Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered a serious burn injury in an accident you did not cause, contact Gould Cooksey Fennell Law Firm today. Our sensitive and caring team can discuss your situation, the impact the accident has had on your life, and your goals for obtaining maximum compensation against the parties responsible for your injuries. Contact us for a free case review. We do not charge a fee unless we recover compensation for you.Â
FREE PERSONAL INJURY CONSULTATION
- No Fee Until We Win
- $150M+ in Recent Personal Injury Verdicts & Settlements
- U.S. News & World Report Best Law Firms for 10 Consecutive Years
Our firm is here to take that burden off of our clients and handle their claim completely. We will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Notable CAR ACCIDENT Settlements and Verdicts
We’ve recovered over $150 million for our clients. These are real case results from real people who came to us for help. And we got them what they were owed.
Plaintiff was operating a small motorcycle/scooter when a 91 year old man turned left in front of him hitting him essentially head on. As a result of the collision, the Plaintiff sustained catastrophic injuries to his lower body, including snapped femurs and fractures to the spine and pelvis. After a two week trial the Indian River County jury returned an award totaling $9.381 million.
A Brevard County Jury awarded Plaintiff $6.4M against Defendant State Farm, following an accident that resulted in numerous catastrophic orthopedic injuries, including a below knee amputation of the Plaintiff’s left leg.
Plaintiff sustained numerous orthopedic injuries as a result of the negligence of a driver working for the State of Florida Department of Agriculture. At trial, the case resulted in a verdict of $5,582,776.82. Because the government’s damages are statutorily limited to $100,000 under Sovereign Immunity laws, Gould Cooksey Fennell’s Personal Injury Group was forced to fight in the Legislature for several years to pursue the passage of a Claims Bill. Ultimately a Bill was passed for 40 times the statutory limitations.
Indian River County crash resulting in significant injuries to a husband and wife. This matter was resolved prior to filing a lawsuit.
Obtained a Trial Verdict of $1.64 million dollars for injuries sustained by an 86 year old woman in a rollover auto accident on SR 60 in Vero Beach, Florida. After prolonged hospitalization, Mrs. Koebele never fully recovered and an Indian River County Jury awarded $1,170,130 for her injuries and $475,000 for her husband’s consortium claim.
Automobile crash in Vero Beach, FL resulting in cervical injury, including disc herniation to a 22 year old tennis professional.
While stopped at the intersection of US Hwy 1 and Vista Royale Boulevard, the Plaintiff’s vehicle was struck from behind with such force that the rear of his SUV was lifted off the ground and his vehicle slammed into the rear of the vehicle in front of him. As a result of the violent impact, Plaintiff sustained permanent injuries to his cervical and lumbar spine. An Indian River County jury awarded the Plaintiff $1,487,412.99.
While stopped at the intersection of 43rd Ave and 8th Street, Plaintiff was rear-ended by the Defendant, launching her vehicle into another vehicle in front of her. Plaintiff sustained permanent injuries to her right knee and cervical spine, both requiring surgical intervention in the years following the collision. After a nine day trial, an Indian River County jury returned an award of $1,259,090.73.
Indian River County jury awarded verdict against Defendant State Farm following an automobile accident where the defendant Driver was underinsured.
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