Baltimore, Maryland Burn Injury Lawyers

Burn Injury Lawyer Fighting for Clients in Baltimore, MD

Serious burns are some of the most painful injuries a person can suffer. Severe burns may require months or years of intensive medical treatment, and they can leave physical and emotional marks that can last a lifetime. People who survive serious burn injuries that were caused by someone else's negligence will not only need to deal with physical suffering, but they also may experience overwhelming financial burdens and personal setbacks.

When a severe burn injury has occurred because of the careless or reckless actions of another person or company, a victim deserves to receive financial compensation that will address the extent of their losses. At Silverman Thompson, we represent burn injury victims in Baltimore and throughout Maryland, working to secure the compensation that survivors need to address the challenges they are facing and protect their futures.

How Burns Are Classified

Medical professionals classify burn injuries by degree, with each level reflecting how deeply the burn has penetrated the layers of skin and other tissues. The degree of a burn will determine the treatment that will be required, and it also can affect the length and difficulty of recovery.

First-degree burns will only affect the first layer of a person's skin, causing pain and leading to minor swelling. While they can be painful, these burns will typically heal without extensive medical intervention, and usually they will not leave permanent scars.

Second-degree burns can affect deeper layers of skin, causing blistering, intense pain, and a significant risk of infection. Deeper second-degree burns may require skin grafts, and they can leave lasting scars. The pain of second-degree burns can be as severe, and complications can put a victim's health at risk.

Third-degree burns will fully destroy every layer of skin, and they also affect layers of fat. These burns usually cannot heal on their own, and they often will require surgical intervention, including skin grafts and reconstructive procedures. They almost always will result in permanent scarring.

Fourth-degree burns go beyond the skin, affecting muscles, bones, and other tissues. These are the most devastating burn injuries, and they may result in the amputation of a limb or the removal of tissue throughout the surrounding area. They place a person at risk of death.

The Physical Effects of Serious Burn Injuries

The effects of a serious burn injury can reach far beyond the burned skin itself. The body's response to severe burns may affect organ functions, immune responses, and a person's overall health. These effects may last long after the wound first was treated.

Infection and Sepsis

The skin is the body's primary barrier against infection. When large areas of skin are destroyed, that barrier is gone, and the body may be exposed to contamination by bacteria or other toxins. Burn wound infections can put a person's health at risk, and the victim may be at risk of sepsis throughout the treatment process.

Respiratory Damage

When burns occur in enclosed spaces, a person may inhale superheated air, smoke, or chemicals. Inhalation injuries can cause severe damage to the airways and lungs, potentially leading to respiratory failure. Respiratory complications are among the leading causes of death in serious burn cases.

Nerve Damage and Chronic Pain

Burn injuries can damage nerves in the areas that were affected, which can lead to chronic pain long after wounds have healed. Burning, stabbing, or electric sensations may occur in damaged nerve tissue, and these issues can last indefinitely. Severe itching also may occur, and it can significantly disrupt a person's sleep and daily functioning for years.

Scarring and Contracted Skin

Scar tissue that forms after a serious burn can place pressure on surrounding tissue, restrict joint movement, and create functional limitations. Contracture of skin affecting the hands, arms, neck, or face can severely limit a person's range of motion, affecting their ability to perform daily tasks. The scars left behind by burns also can affect a person's appearance and self-image. Reconstructive surgery and intensive physical therapy can address some of these limitations, but it may not be possible to fully restore a person to their former appearance and function.

The Ongoing Effects of Burn Injuries

The consequences of a serious burn injury do not end when a survivor leaves the hospital. The ongoing effects of these injuries may extend into every part of a person's life for years. These issues may include:

Extended Medical Treatment

The treatment that will be required to address the effects of serious burn injuries may include hospitalization in a specialized burn unit for weeks or months, skin grafting procedures, and other reconstructive surgeries to address scarring, contractures, infections, and disfigurement. Occupational therapy and physical therapy may be required to restore function in the areas of the body that were injured.

Psychological and Emotional Trauma

The psychological impact of a serious burn injury can affect a person's overall well-being. Post-traumatic stress disorder is common among burn survivors, especially when injuries took place in frightening situations like fires, explosions, or motor vehicle crashes. Depression and anxiety are common due to the combination of physical pain, changes to a person's appearance, loss of function in different parts of the body, and the disruption of nearly every aspect of a victim's life.

Financial Losses

The consequences of a serious burn injury can cause a victim and their family to struggle financially. Hospitalization can be very expensive, and the treatment process, which may include multiple surgeries, rehabilitation, and follow-up care, can add additional costs. The total medical bills may add up to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.

For many burn survivors, returning to their previous job may not be possible due to physical limitations related to their injuries or the psychological effects of the trauma they have experienced. The loss of income and earning capacity over the course of a person's career can affect their ability to handle their own ongoing needs and expenses.

Contact Our Baltimore, MD Burn Injury Attorneys

We have handled many burn cases. In fact, one of our attorneys, Andrew Slutkin, was trial counsel in one of the largest burn verdicts in Maryland history. A serious burn injury will require competent legal representation to recover fair financial compensation for the victim. The team at Silverman Thompson is ready to stand with burn victims and fight for the compensation they need and deserve. To arrange a free consultation, contact our Baltimore severe burn lawyers at 410-385-2225.