Burn Injury Attorneys Serving Cincinnati and Other Areas of Ohio
If you or someone you love has been injured in a fire, explosion, or other accident, a Cincinnati burn injury lawyer can help you obtain fair compensation. Colombo Law has extensive experience representing burn victims and their families. We handle your case with the utmost sensitivity and compassion, as well as a commitment to winning.
Burns are traumatic and painful injuries that impact both your short- and long-term health and well-being. They often lead to substantial costs and psychological challenges, altering your life for good.
That is why knowing how to move forward after a serious burn injury is absolutely critical for anyone who has sustained such an injury. Not only can it help you be a more well-informed patient, but it can also help you understand your legal options if the burn was caused by the negligence of another.
Call 513-599-8841 today for a FREE case review with a Cincinnati burn injury lawyer. Our attorneys serve clients throughout Ohio who have been injured in a wide range of serious accidents.
Do You Have a Case? Let Us Help You!
What Causes Burn Injuries?
Like most types of injuries, burn injuries have many different causes. Most often, however, burns are caused by direct contact with something hot. These are referred to as thermal burns, and they are typically the result of fires, explosions, hot foods and liquids, defective products, and more.
Other causes of burns include:
- Electricity: Electrical burns are caused by direct contact with electrical currents. Causes include lightning, stun guns, malfunctioning appliances, and contact with exposed wiring.
- Chemicals: Chemical burns—also known as caustic burns—can be very damaging and painful. They occur when substances such as acid, paint thinner, concrete mix, and certain types of solvents or cleaners come into contact with someone’s skin.
- Radiation: The most common cause of radiation burn is sunburn, which is caused by the sun’s UV rays. But radiation burns can also be caused by exposure to X-rays or radiation therapy.
- Friction: Also known as rub burns, friction burns are caused by the skin being rubbed against a rough surface. They are commonly seen in motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents, and they can result in significant damage to one’s skin.
While all types of burns can be serious, understanding the cause of your burn will be crucial for identifying the best treatment available. It could also play a key role in your burn injury claim, as the cause of the burn can determine liability and your right to compensation.
Types & Degrees of Burns
The cause of a burn is only part of determining the best way to treat the injury. The other important factor is the severity of the burn, which is expressed in degrees based on the extent of the damage done to the skin.
Let’s take a closer look:
- First-Degree Burns: First-degree burns, also referred to as “superficial burns,” only affect the outermost layer of skin, which is called the epidermis. With first-degree burns, the skin is red and painful, but there are no blisters (similar to a mild sunburn). These burns can usually be managed at home with topical treatments—including cold compresses and aloe vera—and will usually heal in two to five days.
- Second-Degree Burns: Second-degree burns, also called “partial thickness burns,” injure not only the epidermis but also the underlying layer, called the dermis. Unlike first-degree burns, these burns often result in blisters and swelling, along with significant pain.
- Third-Degree Burns: Third-degree burns, or “full thickness burns,” are much more serious than second-degree burns since they fully destroy the epidermis and the dermis. They can even damage bones, muscles, and tendons. The appearance of third-degree burns is also more severe, often resulting in charred or white skin.
Ultimately, the degree of a burn determines the severity. The more serious a burn injury is, the more extensive the treatment needed. Ultimately, this also results in more damages. A Cincinnati burn injury lawyer can evaluate the losses you have sustained and pursue the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact Colombo Law FREE Today
Do I Have a Burn Injury Claim?
If you have suffered a serious burn injury, particularly a third-degree burn, you may be facing significant costs as a result of your medical treatment, lost time away from work, and other expenses. You shouldn’t be forced to pay these expenses on your own if the burn was caused by factors outside of your control.
Multiple legal remedies may be available following a burn injury:
Personal Injury Claims
In Ohio, personal injury claims operate on the principle of negligence. To recover compensation for an injury (such as a burn), you need to prove that someone’s negligence directly caused you harm and resulted in compensable damages.
For example, if you were using your dryer correctly but it malfunctioned and caused a serious electrical burn, you may be able to pursue compensation against the manufacturer under a defective product claim. Or, if a truck driver transporting flammable gas causes an accident that results in burns, you may be able to recover compensation from the trucking company and/or the truck driver for your damages.
Colombo Law handles many types of accidents resulting in burn injuries:
- Truck Accidents
- Car Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Accidents on Dangerous Premises
- Natural Gas Accidents
- And More
A Cincinnati burn injury lawyer at our firm will fully investigate to determine who is at fault. Once we have collected all pertinent evidence, our attorneys will build a strong case on your behalf. While most of our cases are resolved through out-of-court settlements, we prepare every case as though it will go to trial. Colombo Law is ready and willing to advocate for maximum compensation in court.
Workers’ Compensation
Burns are a common work-related injury in many different occupations. If you suffer a burn in the course of your work, you can claim workers’ compensation benefits.
In Ohio, workers’ comp covers your medical expenses and a portion of your lost wages. You may be entitled to additional benefits if the burn causes permanent impairment. Our burn injury attorneys can help you file a claim, ensure that you get the benefits you are entitled to, and identify any additional legal options you may have.
Wrongful Death
From the trauma of the initial accident to major complications, severe burns carry a high likelihood of fatality. If someone you love died as a result of a burn injury and you believe negligence was a factor, Colombo Law can pursue compensation via a wrongful death claim.
Compensation for a Burn Injury
Burn injuries can be very expensive to treat. They can result in life-altering challenges, including anxiety, PTSD, disfigurement, disability, and more. All of these issues can lead to significant long-term expenses and loss of enjoyment of life.
Hence, if it appears that you have a viable claim for compensation, you and your lawyer need to consider all costs and damages resulting from your burn injury. These may include:
- Economic damages refer to the monetary impact of an injury. Economic damages can include medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, modifications to one’s living situation, and more.
- Non-economic damages refer to the emotional, mental, and psychological ramifications of a burn accident. Burns can be extremely painful, and the ongoing challenges—particularly when a burn results in disfigurement or loss of mobility or function—can be great.
- Punitive damages are awarded to accident victims as a way of punishing the defendant for their actions (see Ohio Revised Statutes § 2315.21). Though rare, the additional compensation can provide you with much-needed support after a life-altering injury.
It is of the utmost importance that anyone who has suffered a burn injury considers all of these possible damages when pursuing a claim. The insurance company will almost certainly make a lowball offer (if they make an offer at all), hoping that you do not fully realize the value of your claim.
A burn injury attorney can help you understand the full extent of the damages you are due. We protect your rights and handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on recovery. Our goal is to give you peace of mind and provide qualified legal counsel.
Not only is Dino a great attorney but more importantly he is a great human being. He went above and beyond for our family during a very difficult time in our lives. He and his staff answered any and all concerns that we had and kept in close contact with us throughout this very troubling time in our family. We can’t thank Dino and staff enough.
“
I would like to thank Nathan and Kayla. They kept me up to date on my husband’s case. Always just a message or phone call away, if needed. If you are in need of a great team, absolutely the best, do not hesitate to contact Colombo Law.
“
I would recommend Dino in a heartbeat, basically because the person we got to know and more than anything, the experience he has. He knows what he is doing.
“
Dino and the rest of Colombo Law are great, they treat each case with care and skill. You want them on your side!
“
Contact a Cincinnati Burn Injury Lawyer
Dealing with the aftermath of a serious burn injury can be very challenging and stressful. At Colombo Law, we have seen firsthand the trauma these injuries cause and the fear and uncertainty with which victims and their families are left.
You deserve better. If someone else was responsible for the accident, our attorneys can help you navigate your situation, find the best path forward, and fight for maximum compensation under the law.
We offer free case reviews to anyone who believes they may have a claim. In addition, we remain committed to our No Fee Promise, which states that we will not charge you a penny unless and until we win compensation for you.
To schedule your FREE consultation with a Cincinnati burn injury lawyer, get in touch today by calling 513-599-8841. Colombo Law serves clients throughout Ohio.
