Injury & Accident Attorneys Serving Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman & All Of Oklahoma
Pain is often the outcome of any accident. Severe burns take an enormous toll on injury victims and their families, causing physical, mental, emotional, and financial stress and pain.
Attorneys at Johnson & Biscone, P.A. have more than 100 years of combined experience in personal injury law. If you or a loved one suffered burn injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence, call (405) 232-6490 for a free case review. Our law firm serves clients in Oklahoma City, Norman, Edmond, and nearby areas of Oklahoma.
Causes of Burn Injury
Burns can originate from several sources, from fires and hazardous chemicals to steam and electrocution. Most people suffer from some form of a minor burn injury in their lives, such as a sunburn or contact with a hot stove. Others sustain debilitating burns in incidents stemming from the negligence of another party.
Johnson & Biscone has experience representing clients who have sustained burn injuries stemming from:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Defective products
- Workplace injury at a construction area, oilfield, or other job site
- Misuse of X-rays and other medical equipment that emits radiation (medical malpractice)
- Premises liability, specifically poor maintenance of a property that results in elevated risk of fire
Our attorneys will investigate all aspects of your case to determine the party or parties who are liable for your injuries. We will build a claim pursuing full compensation for burns and other serious injuries.
Compensation in Your Burn Injury Case
The amount of money you can recover in a burn injury claim will vary based on the type of burn you sustained and the amount of resulting damages.
Burns are classified according to severity:
The burn injury’s severity will likely affect your case’s recovery. Our attorneys will pursue compensation on your behalf for damages, including:
- Medical bills for emergency treatment, surgery, skin grafts, and more
- Lost income
- Future lost wages; many burn victims suffer loss of mobility and loss of sensation, compromising their ability to make a living
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Expenses for physical and vocational therapy, counseling, ongoing medical care, and other costs
- Catastrophic burn injuries and explosions can be fatal. If your loved one died as a result of severe burns, Johnson & Biscone can build a wrongful death case on your family’s behalf and pursue full damages for your loss.
Burn Injuries That Qualify for Lawsuits
Various types of burn injuries may incur damages that you can recover in court in Oklahoma. These include:
- Burns that take place in the workplace, such as malfunctioning equipment, improper safety protocols, or employer negligence
- Burn injuries sustained during an accident
- Burn injuries inflicted by electrical malfunctions or faulty wiring
- Burn injuries caused by defective equipment or products, such as electronic cigarettes, portable heaters, and cooking appliances
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Burn Injury Claim?
A statute of limitations is when an individual files a claim and lawsuit. The statute of limitation for filing a burn injury claim depends on your jurisdiction. In Oklahoma, the time limit to file a personal injury claim is within two years following the incident.
The best way to determine whether you can file a lawsuit is to speak with a personal injury attorney in Oklahoma as soon as possible.
Can You Sue for a First-Degree Burn in Oklahoma?
Yes, you are legally eligible to recover damages from any type of burn, including first-degree burns. Although they are the least severe type of burn injury, the physical and emotional pain of a burn, along with the financial damages it can cause, can merit a lawsuit.
How Do I Determine Who Is at Fault for a Burn Injury?
Determining who is at fault depends on a variety of factors. The fault can lie with negligent employers, defective products, and property owners. You will need to compile the proper evidence to support your injury claim.
Evidence can include the following:
- Accident reports
- Medical records
- Witness statements
- Testimonies
There are even cases where multiple parties are the cause of your burn injury.
Is It Possible to Sue if My Burn Injury Was Caused at Work?
Yes, you may be eligible to sue if your burn injury happened at work. However, most companies offer employee workers’ compensation. Workers’ compensation is an insurance policy that covers employees for lost wages and medical expenses.
If you are eligible for the benefits of workers’ compensation, you generally cannot sue your employer. There are a few exceptions, however, such as gross negligence.
Contact our legal offices to arrange a time to speak with an attorney about your burn injury.
What Damages Can I Recover In a Burn Injury Lawsuit?
You can recover various types of damages when you file a burn lawsuit.
These damages include the following:
- Medical damages
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
Punitive damages can be available when a defendant’s actions are egregious. When this occurs, you can be awarded punitive damages as a punishment to the defendant.
How Can I Prove Negligence for My Burn Injury Case?
You will need to demonstrate certain evidence to prove negligence as the reason for your burn injury.
This evidence can include the following:
You should also include any documentation of damages and losses as a result of the burn injury.
When documenting evidence, it is also important to provide any medical records and photographs to help strengthen your case. Doing so can help maximize your chances of receiving full compensation.
Why Choose Johnson & Biscone, P.A.
Burn injuries can require extensive medical treatment, time away from work, and long-term care, making experienced legal guidance especially important. Johnson & Biscone, P.A. has represented injured clients in Oklahoma for more than 40 years, and its attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined legal experience to every case. The firm understands Oklahoma personal injury law and works to document the full impact of a burn injury, including medical expenses, lost income, future treatment needs, pain, and other damages.
Clients work directly with compassionate attorneys who remain involved throughout the case, from the initial consultation through settlement negotiations or trial. Johnson & Biscone, P.A. is prepared to take a case to court when necessary and handles personal injury claims on a contingency-fee basis, meaning clients owe no attorney fees unless compensation is recovered. The firm also offers free consultations and serves clients in Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, and communities throughout Oklahoma.
Frequently Asked Questions
Move away from the source of the burn and seek medical care as soon as possible. Severe burns, electrical or chemical burns, smoke inhalation, and burns affecting large or sensitive areas may require emergency treatment. Major burns require urgent medical attention, so call 911 if the injury appears serious or breathing is affected.
After receiving care, preserve any available evidence. Take photos of your injuries and the scene, keep damaged clothing or products when safe to do so, and obtain the names and contact information of witnesses. Save medical records, bills, employment documents, and communications with insurers. Do not give a statement or accept a settlement before knowing the full extent of your injuries.
Contact a lawyer as soon as possible after your immediate medical needs have been addressed. Early legal guidance can help protect evidence, identify responsible parties, document your losses, and prevent an insurance company from pressuring you into an inadequate settlement.
You should strongly consider contacting an attorney when the burn requires hospitalization, surgery, skin grafting, rehabilitation, or ongoing treatment. Legal assistance may also be important when the injury causes scarring, disfigurement, disability, lost income, or uncertainty about who was responsible.
Liability is based on how and where the injury took place. A negligent driver, property owner, employer, contractor, utility company, product manufacturer, or another individual or business may be responsible.
For example, a landlord may be liable for failing to correct unsafe wiring, while a manufacturer may be responsible for a defective appliance or flammable product. Some cases involve several responsible parties. An attorney can determine which individuals, companies, or insurers may be legally accountable.
An attorney can collect medical records, photographs, physician reports, treatment plans, and testimony from medical professionals. This evidence can establish the depth and location of the burns, the treatment already received, and whether future procedures may be necessary.
A lawyer may also document scarring, disfigurement, reduced mobility, chronic pain, emotional distress, lost wages, and changes to your daily life. By developing a complete picture of the injury’s present and future effects, your attorney can pursue compensation that reflects more than your initial medical bills.
Being partially responsible does not necessarily prevent you from recovering compensation. Under Oklahoma’s comparative negligence law, an injured person may recover damages when their percentage of negligence is not greater than the combined negligence of the other responsible parties. However, the recovery may be reduced according to the injured person’s percentage of fault.
For example, if you were found to be 25% responsible, your compensation could generally be reduced by 25%. Insurance companies may try to place more of the blame on you to reduce what they must pay, making it important to have the circumstances investigated carefully.
Burn injury claims are often resolved through a negotiated settlement rather than a trial. A settlement may be possible when the parties agree about responsibility, the severity of the injury, and the amount of compensation owed.
However, a lawsuit may be necessary when an insurer denies responsibility, disputes the seriousness of the burns, or refuses to make a fair offer. Johnson & Biscone, P.A. prepares cases thoroughly and is willing to present a claim in court when doing so is necessary to pursue an appropriate result.
The case timeline is based on the severity of the burns, the length of medical treatment, the number of responsible parties, and whether liability is disputed. A relatively straightforward claim may be resolved within several months, while a complex case involving permanent injuries or litigation may take considerably longer.
It is often important to understand the likely long-term effects of the injury before resolving a claim. Accepting compensation too early could leave you responsible for future surgeries, rehabilitation, or other expenses that were not included in the settlement.
Bring any information that may help the attorney understand the accident and your injuries. Helpful items may include photographs, medical records, hospital discharge instructions, bills, accident or fire reports, witness information, insurance correspondence, and the contact details of everyone involved.
You may also bring pay stubs or employer records showing missed work, receipts for injury-related expenses, and a written timeline describing what happened. Do not delay contacting an attorney simply because you do not have every document. Johnson & Biscone, P.A. can explain which additional records may be needed and offers free initial consultations.
Call Johnson & Biscone, P.A. Today For Your Burn Injury Consultation!
Find out how our compassionate and experienced law firm can help with your case. Our attorneys have extensive experience in matters involving burn injury and other serious trauma.
For a free consultation, please call (405) 232-6490 today. You can also fill out our appointment request form to book your personalized consultation.
