Wisconsin Burn Injury Attorney

At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC, our burn injury attorneys have the experience you need to negotiate a settlement after suffering one of these injuries. Our clients are burned in many types of accidents, and they often stagger beneath sizable medical expenses and physical limitations. Burns have the potential to cause serious complications, and many people need years of therapy and rehabilitation to recover. Contact our Wisconsin burn injury attorneys if you suffered a serious burn injury and have questions about your ability to receive compensation. A Wisconsin burn injury lawyer at our law firm can meet in a free consultation to review your options.

What Causes Burn Injuries?

Burns are most often caused by heat, steam, chemicals, or electricity. Some of the most common serious burn injuries we see in Wisconsin include:

• Electrocution—You might be electrocuted by a defective product like a phone or computer, or else a live wire inside a building could electrocute you.
• Car accidents—Many cars burst into flames after a collision, and a person who is trapped inside could suffer serious burns.
• Truck accidents—A truck might cause a smaller car to burst into flames. It might also puncture the battery, splashing acid on occupants.
• Defective appliances—Toaster ovens, stoves, refrigerators, and kitchen gadgets might electrocute someone due to a defect.
• Flammable materials in clothing—Many articles of clothing fail to meet federal requirements regarding flammability, which requires a manufacturer’s recall.
• Chemical burns—Chemicals in swimming pools or everyday products can burn people when they splash on skin.

Severity of Burn Injuries

Doctors classify burn injuries by degree, which essentially measures the depth of the burn.

• First-degree burns. This is a superficial burn which has damaged the outermost layer of skin (the epidermis). A person might experience redness and pain, which they can treat with over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Second-degree burns . This burn damages the epidermis and affects the layer underneath (the dermis). A person can experience increased pain and blistering.
• Third-degree burns . A full thickness burn of this type fully damages the epidermis and dermis and can also damage the subcutaneous tissue underneath.
• Fourth-degree burns. This is the most serious burn which can damage all skin layers and even ligaments, tendons, and bone. Victims usually feel no pain because the nerve endings are all destroyed. This injury often requires amputation.

If you suffer a burn injury , go to a hospital immediately after your injury, so it can be properly cleaned and treated. Some mistakes people make include putting oil or margarine on the burn, which only increases your injury.

The Emotional Fallout from Burn Injuries

Burn injuries lead to many emotional complications, including post-traumatic stress disorder, increased anxiety and depression, as well as possible suicidal thoughts. Many burn victims need behavioral counseling and prescription medication.

Unfortunately, the emotional fallout can last for years. Many families also feel increased stress when a loved one is injured by a burn injury. For example, family might require group counseling to help them move forward constructively.

Burn Injury Complications

Any burn injury is potentially serious. But there are some complications which will make recovery much more difficult.

• Infection. Carefully monitor your burn for signs of infection. You should treat any infection with antibiotics as soon as possible.
• Restricted movement. Some burns occur on joints, like your elbow, knee, or knuckles. The skin will contract, severely limiting movement. A burn victim might need multiple rounds of surgery to loosen the contractures.
• Disfigurement. A burn on a visible part of the body (neck, face, hands) might require plastic surgery, depending on the severity.

Can You Sue for Compensation in Wisconsin?

Burn injuries disrupt lives. Many people call our firm with concerns about their ability to pay for all the medical care they are receiving. Serious injuries also prevent individuals from going back to work, so there is added stress from a loss of income.

We can sue anyone who is at fault for your burn, which might include:

• A negligent driver for striking you or forcing you off the road.
• The manufacturer of a defective product which electrocuted you or caught on fire.
• An electrician or contractor for negligent wiring inside a home.
• A property owner for failing to address any hazards before inviting you onto the property.

Let us review the facts of your case. We need solid evidence that helps us recreate how you were burned.

What is Considered A Fair Settlement for Burn Injury Victims in Wisconsin

Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler has represented burn victims for years. We know how to properly value a claim and then negotiate for fair compensation. An inexperienced attorney might not request sufficient compensation, especially to cover future medical expenses or future lost income.

We usually negotiate for the following damages:

• Medical treatment, past and future. You might need ongoing skin grafts, physical therapy, mental health counseling, prescriptions, and even home modifications.
• Lost income, past and future. Many burn victims can’t work for months or years. Some might never work again. You should request compensation from the defendant to make up for income lost due to your accident.
• Pain and suffering. This category is harder to estimate. We ask for as much compensation as possible for the physical pain, inconvenience, distress, and mental anguish you are suffering from due to your burn.

Negotiating a settlement is complicated. The defendant often has insurance, so we are negotiating with an insurance adjuster. We lean on decades of experience knowing how much these insurers can pay, and we don’t fall victim to common insurance tactics.

Why You Should Hire Our Wisconsin Burn Injury Attorneys

Burn injuries leave many people unable to care for themselves. This is not the time to try and negotiate your own settlement.

Our personal injury law firm can:

• Review the facts to determine fault for your injury;
• Help you document the cost of the burn, as well as your pain and emotional anguish;
• Identify any insurance contracts which will cover a burn injury claim;
• Compile evidence into your case and possibly launch our own investigation to strength the basis of your claim;
• Negotiate for a fair settlement;
• File a lawsuit in court for compensation when negotiations falter.

Schedule a Consultation with a Wisconsin Burn Injury Lawyer

In a free consultation, we can go over how the burn happened and the effects on your life. Do not hesitate to contact us by phone at 608-784-4370 or online.