Portland Burn Injury Attorney

A burn injury is one of the most serious forms of damage you can sustain, leading to severe pain, extensive medical treatment, and emotional trauma. If you developed a burn injury due to the negligence of another person, you could file a lawsuit or insurance claim against him or her—and the Portland burn injury lawyers at DuBois Law Group can help. For years, we have helped thousands of Oregon residents secure the compensation they deserve, and we can fight for your right to maximum recovery.

Why Choose A Portland Brain Injury Attorney From DuBois Law Group?

• Navigating a lawsuit or insurance claim can be difficult after a burn injury. Our Portland personal injury attorneys will handle each aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.
• Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis—if we do not secure compensation in your case, you do not pay legal fees.
• Our firm takes a proactive role in our clients’ health through our medical department. Our staff will help connect you with specialists who can provide the treatment you need.

What Types of Burn Injuries Our Attorneys Can We Help With?

There are many different types of burns based on what caused the injury:

• Chemical burns: Occur when the skin comes in contact with strong acids and bases, such as sulfuric acid or alkaloids.
• Electrical burns: Happen when an electrical current flows through a person’s body.
• Inhalation burns: Result when a person breathes smoke or fumes during a fire.
• Radiation (ultraviolet) burns: Take place when a person has prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. These burns can also result from using a tanning bed.
• Thermal/contact burns: Result when a person’s body comes in contact with a very hot item, such as hot metal, steam, scalding liquids, or flames.

Additionally, burn injuries are classified into three categories: first-, second-, and third-degree burns.

A first-degree burn injury:

Involves the top layer of the skin, such as sunburn. Signs of a first-degree burn are redness, the area is painful to touch, and mild swelling. Treatment for this type of burn injury is fairly easy. First-degree burn injury victims should apply a wet, cold compress to the area or immerse the area in cold water until pain stops. Then, cover the burn area with a bandage or clean cloth that is sterile and non-adhesive. You should not apply ointments to the burn injury as they could cause infection. If you are experiencing pain or the area is inflamed, these symptoms can likely be treated with over-the-counter pain medications. Further treatment is not usually needed.

A second-degree burn injury:

Involves the first two layers of the skin. Indications of a second-degree burn are a deep reddening of the area, blisters, a glossy appearance from leaking body fluid, and potential loss of skin. To treat a second-degree burn injury, you should apply a cold compress to the area or immerse it in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes. Dry, and cover the burn with sterile gauze. You should not break any blisters that have formed or apply ointment to the injury. You will need to elevate arms or legs that are burned. To prevent shock, a second-degree burn injury victim will need to be laid flat with their feet elevated about one foot high. They should be covered with a coat or blanket and medical attention should be immediately sought.

A third-degree burn injury:

Breaks the skin’s entire thickness and permanently destroys tissue. This is a severe Oregon burn injury and results in the loss of multiple skin layers. The skin may be painless unless there are nearby sections of first- and second-degree burns, which will be painful. The skin may be leathery and dry, and will appear burnt, and may have patches that are brown, white, or black. To treat a third-degree burn injury, cover the area lightly with a clean cloth or sterile gauze. As with second-degree burns, do not apply ointments to the injury, and a victim should be laid flat with the feet elevated one foot high to prevent shock. If their face is severely burned, have a victim sit up and watch them closely for breathing problems. Anyone who has suffered a third-degree burn injury will need immediate medical attention.

What Are The Common Causes of Burn Injuries?

According to the American Burn Association, approximately 486,000 people need to receive medical treatment for burn injuries in the United States each year. These injuries can occur for several reasons, including contact with hot liquids, open flames, faulty electrical wiring, and dangerous corrosive chemicals.

In many cases, burn injuries occur during the course of serious accidents caused by another person. Some of the most common causes of burn injuries include the following.

• Car accidents: Gasoline in vehicles could ignite, causing fires that burn the occupants inside (please visit our Portland car accident attorney page)
• Defective products: Certain products may overheat, spark, and catch fire, leading to serious burns. (Please see our Portland product liability lawyer page)
• Gas explosions: Negligent constructions and poor workplace safety standards can lead to dangerous explosions that burn employees and nearby residents.
• House, apartment, and hotel fires: Structure fires can lead to serious injuries and devastating fatalities, especially if certain safety standards are not met.

What Are The Legal Options for Portland Burn Injury Victims?

If you sustain a burn injury in Portland, you may have the right to pursue legal action against certain parties. Your legal options will vary based on the cause of your burn and who may be liable for the accident.

• If you suffer a burn injury in a car accident, you could file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
• If you are injured due to a defective product, you could file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer.
• If your burn injury occurs due to a structure fire or due to a hazard on someone else’s property, the landlord, property owner, or hotel owner could be held accountable through a lawsuit or insurance claim. If this is the case, contact a Portland premises liability lawyer. 
• If you sustain a burn injury while performing your work duties, you could file a workers’ compensation claim regardless of fault or negligence.
• If the injury occurred due to a gas explosion, chemical exposure, or electrocution caused by another person’s negligence, the negligent party could be held accountable through a lawsuit.

Contact A Portland Burn Injury Lawyer From DuBois Law Group Today

If you are the victim of a burn injury in Oregon, you may have grounds for financial compensation. In these situations, the Portland burn injury attorneys at DuBois Law Group can fight for your right to maximum recovery. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and identify your optimal path forward. (503) 222-4411