Manhattan Burn Victim

When he was severely burned while working in an apartment complex, Christopher Peat's life was forever changed. While refinishing the floor he suffered burns on over half of his body when the lacquer that he was using to refinish the floor accidently ignited. Peat v. Fordham Hill Owners Corp., 974 N.Y.S.2d 61 (N.Y. App. Div., 2013). While the causes of burns may be different, thousands of individuals suffer serious burns each year just like Peat. In some cases such as in Christopher Peat's case, the victims are burned in a workplace accident, such as at the site of a home renovation or at a construction site. In other cases burns occur in car accidents, in chemical accidents, or from an electrical problem that lead to electrical burns. Burn victims typically face extended, painful recovery periods that involve multiple surgeries, missed time from work and psychological trauma. If you are a burn victim, or if a member of your family has suffered a serious burn that was caused by the negligence of another person, you have a legal right to seek compensation from that person. It is important that you immediately contact an experienced Manhattan burn victim lawyer who will review the facts of your case and explain your options for pursuing a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Common causes of burns are:

• Fires in a residence: Home fires are caused by a variety of reasons including faulty wiring, leaving the stove unattended, space heaters, and smoking. House fires generally lead to victims suffering contact burns from fire or a very hot object comes in direct contact with the skin.
• Inhalation of noxious chemicals: Inhalation burns commonly occur in the workplace such as a laboratory, manufacturing plant, or construction site. The victim's throat is burned after inhaling noxious fumes.
• Exposure to industrial chemicals. Noxious chemicals can cause not only inhalation burns, but also contact burns when they come in contact with the skin. This type of chemical burn can be avoided if proper precautions are taken as required by OSHA.
• Electrical burns: Electrical burns occur when the victim comes in contact with a live wire. According federal estimates about 100 people are electrocuted each year a work.

Damages for a burn injury

According to New York policy, those who cause accidents are responsible for the consequences of such accidents such as the victim's losses. Through a personal injury lawsuit you can demand that the negligent person pay you for your medical expenses, your lost income, and your pain and suffering.

• Medical expenses: The medical expenses associated with treating a serious burn can be substantial. Burn victims often have to be treated in special burn units, and may even have to be transported to a special facility. Skin grafts and plastic surgery may be required. This will cost thousands and thousands of dollars. For example, you will have bills associated with the emergency room, an extended hospital stay in the burn unit, surgery, medication and other types of treatment.
• Lost wages: Lost wages compensation is an economic damage award based on the value of the income you lost as a result of not being able to work while recovering from your injuries. It can include a variety of types of lost income such as your hourly wages or annual salary, bonuses or promotions you were on track to earn, and benefits that you lost. If your career has been cut short because the extent of your injuries make it impossible for you to remain on that career track, you can also demand compensation based on the earning potential you have lost.
• Pain and suffering. Pain and suffering compensation is non-economic damage award designed to address the fact that when a victim suffers a serious injury such as a burn, there is physical suffering such as unbelievable pain, scarring and permanent disfigurement, as well as emotional suffering such as depression, loneliness, and fear.

If your injury occurred while you were working, the accident may be covered by workers' compensation. Under New York law employers must carry workers' compensation insurance to provide injured employees with benefits. Benefits include medical care paid by workers' compensation as well as wage replacement. If your burns are so severe that you will not be able to work for at least 12 months, you may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits.

Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates

If you suffered a serious burn injury it is important to take prompt action. Personal injury cases are bound by strict time deadlines, called the statute of limitations. Failure to meet these filing deadlines prohibits you from filing a case against the negligent party. Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case. Our staff is experienced in handling personal injury cases against both individuals and businesses whose negligence caused accidents that resulted in burn injuries. Contact us at 800.696.9529 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation regarding your case. We represent clients in the following locations: the Bronx, Brooklyn, Long Island, Manhattan, Nassau County, Queens, Staten Island, Suffolk County and Westchester County.