Connecticut Burn Injury Lawyers Help Victims Get Compensated
Skilled and determined attorneys serving Hamden and East Haven
Victims of fires, explosions and other burn events can be scarred for life, physically and emotionally. If you or a loved one has sustained severe burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence, Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. is ready to help. For decades, our personal injury attorneys have fought successfully for compensation for burn victims. We understand how your life can be impacted and we strive to recover the substantial compensation you deserve.
Burns classified by degrees
Medical science classifies burns according to severity as follows:
- First-degree — This is a burn causing redness and pain to the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis.
- Second-degree — This burn affects both the epidermis and the second skin layer, called the dermis. Serious pain, swelling and blistering may result, as well as possible scarring.
- Third-degree burn — This burn permeates the dermis to the fat layer beneath the skin, turning affected areas black, brown or white. Third-degree burns also can destroy nerves.
- Fourth degree and greater — These severe burns cause charred skin and possible exposure of bone. In the worst cases, amputation may be necessary.
Treatment for severe burns can be extensive and require a long period of recovery, which may never be complete.
Common causes of severe burn injuries
There are a number of events that can leave a person severely burned. These include:
- Auto accidents
- House fires
- Explosions, such as those caused by damaged gas lines or defective boilers
- Electric shock
- Battery explosions and fires
- Fryer accidents
- Boiling water and steam
- Caustic chemicals
- Radiation
- Mishandling of flammable liquids
- Mishandling of fireworks
In many instances, the cause of a burn injury can be traced to the negligence of one or more people. In Connecticut, a victim is entitled to compensation as long as he or she was not primarily at fault.
Common injuries associated with severe burns
A severe burn can have disastrous health consequences. The most common effects include the following:
- Chronic infection — The skin operates as a barrier to infection. When severe burn damage occurs, your skin cannot perform this important function.
- Nerve damage — Serious burns penetrate surface tissue and can harm nerves, sometimes leading to neuropathy pain, loss of sensation, loss of mobility and even paralysis.
- Loss of limb — Tissue that is too heavily damaged may have to be removed. Amputation of extremities may sometimes be necessary.
- Scarring and disfigurement — Even advanced surgical techniques may not be able to undo the damage that a severe burn inflicts upon a person’s appearance.
Burn injuries may be catastrophic, which means they have a permanent effect on your life. You should retain a personal injury attorney with demonstrated experience and a record of success in cases of permanent, disabling injuries.
Compensation available for severe burn injuries
When severe burns amount to a catastrophic injury — meaning a permanent, life-changing disability and/or disfigurement — victims deserve extraordinary compensation. This includes economic damages to cover medical expenses, lost earnings and other expenses related to a permanent disability. Additionally, victims may be entitled to compensation for physical pain, mental suffering, loss of quality of life and loss of consortium. Our attorneys will fight for the maximum amount of compensation possible in your case.
Contact our reputable Connecticut lawyers for your burn injury case
Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. in East Haven and Hamden represents burn victims throughout Connecticut. To set up a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer, please call 203-745-0942 or contact us online.