Staten Island Burn Victim

Suffering a serious burn is one of the most painful and life-changing injuries one can suffer. Victims must go through painful treatments such as skin grafts and plastic surgery. Infections are common and scarring is inevitable. While many serious burns occur in residential fires, many also occur in car accidents, construction accidents, manufacturing plants and in other workplaces. In addition, not all burns are contact burns involving fire. Many are chemical burns or electrical burns. In cases where the burn was caused because another person was negligent, the law allows the victim to seek compensation from the negligent party. For example, if you were burned in an apartment fire that was caused by code violations, the landlord or building owner would likely be liable. If you or a member of your family suffered a serious burn injury, you have a legal right to seek just compensation from the person responsible for the injury. It is important that you immediately contact an experienced Staten Island burn victim lawyer who will review the facts of your case and explain your options for pursuing a personal injury claim.

• Fires in residences: Typically result in contact burns or burns from smoke inhalation.
• Workplace accidents: Can cause chemical burns from dangerous substances splashing on skin, or inhalation burns from noxious gases. Most workplace burns would have not occurred if OSHA safety rules had been followed.
• Other accidents: Other common causes of burn injuries include electrical accidents from faulty cords or faulty electrical wiring, defective products, car accidents that involve a vehicle explosion or fire, and burns from scalding water.

As an experienced burn victim attorney working in Staten Island will confirm, under New York law if you are seriously burned in a car accident, workplace accident, or in some other type of accident that was another person's fault you have the right to demand that the negligent person pay you compensation for the losses you suffered such as your medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.

• Medical bills: All past and future expenses related to treating your burns such as the emergency room, skin grafts, plastic surgery and other treatment. If you have complications such as an infection, medical bills related to treating the complications are also compensable medical expenses.
• Lost wages: Because serious burns will mean that you will be unable to work, you will lose income. Because a lack of income can cause serious financial problems that are not your fault, the law allows you to shift the burn of losing income to the person who caused your injuries.
• Pain and suffering. Compensation for pain and suffering is meant to address the fact that victims of serious injuries such as burns suffer great deal both physically and emotionally.

If you were severely burned from a chemical burn at work, from a fire at the restaurant where you work, or from any other type of work-related accident you may be entitled to benefits from your employer's workers' compensation program. Compensation includes medical care from an approved provider, wage replacement and vocational training, if needed. If your burn injury is so severe that you will not be able to return to work for a long time you may be entitled to Social Security disability benefits.

If you suffered a serious burn injury it is important that you are represented by an experienced burn victim attorney serving clients in Staten Island as you may have the right to compensation. It is also important to speak with an attorney before speaking to the insurance company or signing settlement documents provided by the insurance company. Contact the Law Offices of Stephen Bilkis & Associates to discuss the details of your case 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.