Delaware burn injury claims require careful preparation

Unfortunately, negligent and reckless behavior can cause harm to others and that harm can be uniquely dangerous when it involves burns. Many potential scenarios come to mind: out-of-control fire, explosion, electrical shock, motor vehicle accident, chemical burns and others.

The nature of these incidents can vary widely, such as those involving:

• Defectively designed or manufactured products
• Shoddy maintenance or repair of heating, electrical or industrial equipment
• Failure to warn end users of inherent dangers in devices or machinery
• Negligent or reckless driving that causes accidents that in turn cause fires and hot surfaces
• Inadequate circulation of air in work settings resulting in explosions where combustible gasses are present
• Dangerous electrical wiring
• Failure to repair or maintain safe gas or electrical utility lines

Burn injuries can cause indescribable pain, disfigurement and scarring, mental anguish and suffering, and even fatality. A victim’s ability to work and to enjoy a normal life may be severely curtailed. Complete healing may be impossible and burn victims may have to endure long-term treatments, including surgical intervention like skin grafting as well as plastic surgery for scars. Impairments may be permanent – both physical or mental – including potentially depression, anxiety and trauma symptoms.

Thorough, aggressive legal representation

Because of the complexity of these cases, it is important to involve an experienced personal injury lawyer as early as possible to conduct a thorough investigation and evaluation of the circumstances. Adequate compensation from a liable party or insurer requires careful, forward-thinking analysis of the long arc of a burn injury going forward in life.

Will therapy, surgery and other treatment be ongoing? Are there requirements for accommodations to home or vehicles for disability? Will mental health treatment be appropriate? What about curtailed earning capacity?

Once the attorney has uncovered the particular facts of each burn case and the unique needs of the victim and their family, they will be in a strong position to negotiate for a fair settlement, if possible, or to go to trial if necessary, from a position of strength.