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Brockton Burn Injury Lawyers

Tough representation for accident victims who suffer burn injuries, scarring, disfigurement, and emotional trauma

Many different types of accidents and neglect can cause life-changing burn injuries. Drivers and passengers can suffer burns in car and truck accidents. Fires at nursing homes and on other property can cause burns. Defective products can cause explosions and electrical fires. Burn injuries are also a common workplace hazard. At the Law Office of Gerald J. Noonan, we have the experience and working relationships (with fire officials, burn specialists, and others) to hold those responsible for your burns liable for all your damages. Our Brockton burn injury lawyers understand that the psychological trauma of burns is often just as traumatic as the physical trauma. We’re ready to fight for your future when fires cause burns, respiratory illnesses, and fatalities.

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How we can help

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Why choose us?

If you or a loved one suffered burn injuries, our team is here to help. We offer our clients:

  • Contingency fees: We charge no upfront costs. You only pay us if your claim is successful.
  • Community support: Our attorneys are Brockton locals, so we’re familiar with the resources and specialists that can aid your recovery.
  • Proven results: Our decades of experience mean we know what it takes to present a successful claim.
  • Personalized attention: We take the time to understand the facts or your case and how your pain impacted your life.

If you have additional questions, just ask us. We offer free, no-commitment consultations.

How common are burn injuries?

According to the American Burn Association:

  • The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported nearly 400,000 fire or burn-related injuries in 2021 and 252,000 injuries due to contact with hot objects.
  • There were nearly 700,000 burn-related insurance claims in 2020.
  • In 2021, there were slightly more than 3,000 deaths due to structural fires, and 680 were due to motor vehicle fires.
  • A 2020 study found that 1,290 people needed surgery and prolonged mechanical ventilation during the year, and 9,340 people with deep burns without prolonged ventilation required surgical treatment. The numbers are likely much higher because the data focuses on hospitals and not burn centers.

What types of accidents cause burn injuries in Brockton?

Our Brockton burn injury lawyers represent victims and families of loved ones in all types of accidents that cause fires and all other types of burns, including:

We work with local building and fire officials, fire safety experts, product safety experts, and others to determine the cause of any type of burn injury and identify who is liable.

The responsible parties may include:

  • A driver of any vehicle
  • The driver’s employer
  • Property owners
  • Nursing homes
  • The manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of defective products
  • Physicians and hospitals
  • Construction companies
  • Many others

We file personal injury claims on behalf of injury victims and wrongful death claims on behalf of families when burn injuries are fatal. We also file workers’ compensation claims if an employee suffers burn injuries while doing their job.

What are the classifications of burn injuries?

Type of burn injuries

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The main types of burns are:

  • Thermal burns. Heat sources that increase the temperature of the skin and tissues are often due to flames, hot metals, steam, and scalding liquids. Fires can cause thermal burns. So can hot coffee or hot grease.
  • Radiation burns. Overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun, X-rays, and other radiation sources is very dangerous.
  • Chemical burns. Strong acids, alkalies, solvents, and detergents that contact the eyes or skin can cause severe burns.
  • Electrical burns. Alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) can cause electric burns.

Degree of burn injury

The Mayo Clinic classifies burn injuries as follows:

  • First-degree burn. These “superficial burns” only affect the epidermis, the outer skin layer. These burns may cause pain and redness or other skin color changes. Generally, home health care is the remedy.
  • Second-degree burn. These “partial-thickness burns” affect the epidermis and the dermis (the second skin layer). The symptoms include red, white, or splotchy skin – and swelling. Victims may develop blisters and severe pain. Deep second-degree burns can result in scars.
  • Third-degree burn. These “full-thickness burns” affect all skin layers and may also affect the fat and muscle tissue under the skin. The skin may be black, white, or brown – and look leathery. These burns can destroy nerves, which may reduce the victim’s pain but cause numbness, scarring, and emotional trauma. These burns usually require skin grafts because they don’t heal on their own.

Some of the complications of third-degree burns include sepsis (a bloodstream infection) and other bacterial infections, loss of fluids, hypothermia, respiratory disorders, scarring or keloids, joint and bone complications, depression, and skin cancer.

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What are the treatments for burn injuries in Brockton?

Our Brockton burn injury lawyers work with burn centers, hospitals, plastic surgeons, and other specialists to show what treatments you need.

According to Massachusetts General Hospital, burn injury victims need care from:

  • Burn surgeons
  • Emergency care doctors and staff
  • Plastic and burn reconstructive surgeons
  • Psychiatrists and psychologists
  • Nurses and nurse practitioners
  • Physical and occupational therapists
  • Nutritionists
  • Speech-language pathologists
  • Social workers
  • Nutritionists
  • Religious advisors

The treatments vary depending on the type, severity, and location of the burns.

Possible treatments include:

  • Minor burns. These often heal with first aid, medications, wound dressings, and therapy. Surgery may be necessary in some cases. The main goals are preventing infections, removing dead tissue, reducing the risk of scarring, and restoring function. The Mayo Clinic has many other suggestions for minor care, such as cooling the burn (if possible) with running water (but not cold water), using non-prescription pain relievers, and various lotions. Victims and helpers should not break blisters, remove clothing from the skin, or use a fluffy cotton bandage.
  • Major burns. Medical care includes:
    • Short-term care. Victims may need care at burn centers. First aid treatment until emergency aid arrives includes protecting the burned area, ensuring that the victim is breathing, removing any restrictive clothing or items, covering the burns, raising the burned area “above heart level if possible,” and looking for symptoms of shock.
    • Medical care. Medical treatments for major burns include whirlpool baths and other water-based treatments, IV fluids to prevent dehydration, pain and anxiety medications, burn ointments and creams, wound dressings, drugs to fight infections (such as IV antibiotics), and possibly a tetanus shot.
    • Rehabilitative care. Physical therapy for burns includes exercise to help stretch the skin and improve muscle coordination and strength. Occupational therapy involves helping a Brockton burn injury victim with daily activities.
    • Breathing help. These treatments include breathing assistance and the use of a feeding tube for nutritional support.
    • Creating better flow around the wound. Some burn injuries can cut off the flow of blood or make it hard to breathe. Your doctor may cut the burn scab (known as an eschar) to help increase the blood flow and your ability to breathe.
    • Skin grafts. This surgical procedure involves using parts of your healthy skin to replace the scar tissue caused by third-degree burns and deep second-degree burns. Other short-term sources include skin from donors or pigs.

Many burn injury victims need psychological care, especially if the burns are visible. Local support groups may also help.

What is the value of my Massachusetts burn injury claim?

At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we understand just how devastating burn injuries are. They deeply affect victims physically and emotionally. We work with your doctors to understand all the treatments you need and the full scope and severity of your injuries. Our Brockton burn injury lawyers demand compensation for your current and future:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost income
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • Property damage
  • Loss of bodily function
  • Inability to enjoy life’s pleasure
  • Loss of consortium
  • Punitive damages, where applicable

We also seek wrongful death damage when burn injuries are fatal. These damages include the funeral and burial costs, the loss of financial support, the value of the services lost, and the loss of personal support (love, guidance, companionship, and advice).

Do you have a burn injury lawyer near me in Brockton, Massachusetts?

Yes. Our lawyers meet with clients at our office located at 555 Pleasant Street, Brockton, MA 02301. We also conduct consultations by phone and through video. If you reach our office due to your injuries, we can find an alternative way to meet with you.

We’ve helped many accident victims obtain strong recoveries. We have the experience and resources to fight for all the compensation you deserve.

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Speak with our respected Brockton burn injury lawyers today

At The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan, we have the respect of former clients, insurance companies, and the legal community for our dedication to our clients and our strong advocacy skills. We understand just how devastating and life-altering burn injuries are. Contact us or call us to schedule a free consultation. We’re ready to help you now.