Burn Injury Attorney In Sacramento

A burn injury can be one of the most painful injuries to sustain, and recovering from them can require extensive medical care, physical therapy, even plastic surgery. Severe burns leave permanent damage to skin and tissues, and can limit the effective range of limbs and the body's ability to move

My Name is Ed Smith - and I'm a Sacramento Burn Injury Attorney that's been assisting burn victims and their families for three decades.  I'm here to answer your questions....and advise on what legal rights you have.

Types of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are usually measured in "degrees" based on the amount of damage to the skin, associated tissue and bone. These include:

A First Degree Burn - usually a redness on the top layer of skin (the epidermis) which resembles a sunburn. While a first degree burn can be mildly painful, the skin will repair itself and most symptoms are gone within a few days.

A Second Degree Burn - results when the burn has progressed through the epidermis (first layer of skin) into the deeper layers of the skin (known as the dermis). Second degree burns usually present blisters and accumulated fluids, while the skin looks "whiter" in appearance

Third Degree Burns - are much more severe in nature, and include charring through all layers of the skin.

In a third degree burn the skin can look like leather, and feels thicker and harder. Fluids accumulating at the point of the burn can look dark red or purple, and in many cases, pain is lessened due to associated nerve damage. Third degree burns require extensive care including skin grafts and plastic surgery. In many cases, physical therapy is required to regain the use of or extended motion of the body and its limbs.

Fourth Degree Burns - are the most severe burn injuries, where charring extends past the skin into the muscles and bones. Fourth degree burns are life threatening, and usually result in permanent loss in dexterity, motion, use of limbs, and perhaps the loss of fingers and toes.

Fourth degree burn victims will require several surgeries to accomplish skin grafts, extensive reconstruction and plastic surgery. These cases involve extensive physical therapy and require a "life-plan" to provide for the ongoing treatment, surgeries, care and therapy for the patient in the coming months and years.

Smoke Inhalation and Asphyxiation

Suffocation or asphyxiation from smoke inhalation is the primary cause of death in mobile home fires, house fires and other fire related incidents. Upholstery, building materials, office equipment and other furnishings can release a toxic cloud of gases and smoke.

Vital oxygen is removed from the air, and is replaced with carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, smoke and other vapors which leave a victim quickly disoriented.

In a short time the victim loses rational thought, feels sluggish and sleepy, ultimately losing consciousness. If they are removed from the area these victims can experience permanent damage to their lungs and breathways resulting in permanent disability and the need for specialized medical care and equipment.

In many cases, smoke inhalation causes death, and the family is left with the burden of determining the actual causes and if liability or the negligence of others is to blame.

You need time to recover from your injuries, and as a burn victim there is a long road ahead of you. The medical bills and lost wages add up quickly. Long term care and equipment may be required.

If you have lost a loved one in a fire, you and your family need time to mourn your loss and heal.

Let our experienced burn injury legal team assume the responsibility to investigate what has happened, determine who may be responsible and to protect your financial and legal interests.