New York burn injury lawyers at Gorayeb & Associates have recovered over $2 billion for more than 10,000 injured workers across 40+ years of practice. The firm represents construction workers suffering thermal burns, chemical burns, electrical burns, and flash burns caused by explosions, arc flashes, welding incidents, and contact with hazardous substances on job sites. Burn injuries require extensive medical treatment and often result in permanent scarring and disability — the firm fights for compensation that covers lifetime medical needs. Call (646) 760-5841 for a free consultation. Se habla español.
Burns injuries are among the most traumatic experiences a person can endure. They may lead to:
- Permanent disability
- Loss of limbs
- Disfigurements
- Significant emotional and psychological distress
- Wrongful death
Treating burn injuries often involves extensive, costly medical procedures, sometimes amounting to millions of dollars. Beyond the physical and emotional toll, victims face daunting questions, such as:
- How will I pay all my medical expenses?
- How will I recover the wages I am losing?
- Who will support my family if my injuries prevent me from working?
- What should I do if my employer’s insurance company offers me insufficient compensation?
- How can I hire a burn injury attorney in New York if I don’t have money or an income?
We will address all these concerns. But first, here are some key facts every burn injury victim should know:
- You must not pay anything out-of-pocket to hire Gorayeb & Associates burn injury attorneys in New York.
- Burn injury compensation covers all medical expenses and reimbursement for lost wages—past, present, or future.
- If your injuries prevent you from working, the compensation may include lifetime pension plans for you and any family members who depend on your income.
- If your employer’s insurance company offers insufficient compensation, do not accept it. Instead, contact New York burn accident lawyers.
Were you the victim of a burn injury caused by negligence? At Gorayeb & Associates, we’ve recovered over 2 billion dollars in compensation for our clients, giving them the support they need to move forward without financial setbacks. Call us at 332-286-2437 or complete this form to schedule a free consultation. Our team of attorneys is available 24/7, ready to provide support and fight for the justice you deserve.
What Are the Types of Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries can be categorized based on their causes, such as explosions, electrical malfunctions, or contact with chemicals. These incidents can happen in various everyday environments, whether at home, work, or daily activities like shopping or running errands.
Here are the six most common types of burns:
1. Friction Burns
Friction burns occur when the skin is severely abraded after rubbing against a hard surface, such as asphalt. They are frequently seen in traffic accidents, especially involving bicycles and motorcycles that slide across the road after an impact. Even with protective clothing, the intense collision can cause significant friction burns.
2. Chemical Burns
These burns result from contact with hazardous substances like acids, solvents, or strong detergents. Manufacturers of such products are legally obligated to disclose their risks and provide clear usage instructions. Moreover, employers working with chemicals must ensure employees are adequately trained and equipped with proper safety to handle these substances without risk.
3. Electrical Burns
Electrical burns happen when an individual comes into contact with an electrical current. They are particularly common in workplaces, particularly on construction sites, where temporary electrical setups are often used. Construction companies must create a safe work environment and adhere to safety protocols. If an accident occurs, they may be held liable.
4. Cold Burns
Cold burns arise from prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures or direct contact with frozen objects. Employers must provide proper clothing and equipment to shield workers from extreme weather in outdoor work environments, particularly in cold climates like New York.
5. Thermal Burns
These burns are caused by contact with hot objects, boiling liquids, flames, or steam. For example, on a construction site, molten metal might accidentally fall on a work due to a colleague’s negligence, or a fire could cause direct exposure to flames.
6. Radiation Burns
Radiation burns occur from exposure to sources of radiation, such as X-rays or cancer treatment therapies. They can also happen in nuclear power plants. In these cases, employers must prioritize worker safety by offering proper training and protective equipment to ensure employees can perform their duties securely.
How Are Burns Classified by Severity?
Burn injuries can range from mild, easily healable wounds to severe damages that result in permanent disability or, in extreme cases, death.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) categorizes burns based on the extent of the damage they cause, classifying them into the following types:
How Can a Burn Injury Attorney in New York Help You?
At Gorayeb & Associates, our top priority is your health after a burn injury. That is why our first step is to ensure that victims receive the appropriate medical care.
Once a precise diagnosis of the injuries and recovery process is established, we can accurately determine the fair amount of compensation to pursue.
Unfortunately, many burn victims lose the opportunity to receive proper compensation by not having the support of experienced burn injury lawyers in NYC, often accepting initial offers from insurance companies.
It is important to remember that insurance companies prioritize their investors' interests over those of the victims. Therefore, burn victims should be aware of the following abusive practices that insurance representatives might use:
- An adjuster may approach shortly after the accident, taking advantage of the victim’s shock to have them sign documents that release the responsible party from liability.
- An insurer might exploit the victim’s concern over medical expenses to offer insufficient compensation.
Compensation refers to the one-time, final payment made by the responsible party to the victim, meaning:
- Once the victim accepts a compensation offer, no further money can be requested for the same incident.
- If the victim later discovers their injuries are more severe than initially thought, they will not be able to claim additional compensation and will have to cover further treatment themselves.
These scenarios are unjust, and legal help for burn injuries in New York works to prevent them. That is why we first ensure we have all the information about the severity of the injuries and the estimated recovery time to build a strong case backed by specialized legal actions that include the following stages:
Most Common Causes of Burn Accidents in New York
According to the American Burn Association, which is tasked with burn injury prevention, the following are the most common causes of such accidents:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Household accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- 18-wheeler accidents
- Bus accidents
- Defective products
- Workplace accidents
- Electrocution accidents
- Chemical exposure accidents
- Construction accidents, which are further divided into various areas due to their frequency:
- Excavation accidents
- Roof collapse accidents
- Building demolition accidents
- Falling load accidents
- Eye injury accidents
What Steps Should You Take After Suffering a Burn Injury?
If you have been involved in an accident that caused burn injuries, follow these critical steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Seek immediate medical attention.
- Notify your employer if the accident occurred at your workplace.
- Contact the New York severe burn accident attorneys at Gorayeb & Associates.
- Request a detailed medical report outlining your injuries.
- Gather contact information from other victims of the accident (if applicable).
- Obtain contact details of eyewitnesses.
- Avoid signing or making statements to insurance companies before consulting an attorney.
- Take photos and videos of the accident scene and your injuries.
- Refrain from posting about your accident on social media until your case is resolved.
If your injuries prevent you from taking these actions, ask a colleague or trusted person to do them. These steps can be crucial in securing your compensation case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common concerns we address when helping clients who have suffered burn injuries in New York.