Every year, more than 1 million explosions and fires cause wrongful death, burn injuries, injuries from smoke inhalation, and property damage throughout the United States. Burn victims who were injured in a fire accident or explosion are often left with physical scars and psychological trauma that can last for years. Burn injury victims may also face overwhelming medical bills and pain and suffering that can last a lifetime.

If you or someone you love suffered was injured because of a fire caused by negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Some explosions or fire accidents are caused by negligent landlords who fail to follow fire safety laws. Others are due to an employer who fails to follow workplace fire safety regulations.

Unfortunately, insurance adjusters, landlords, and employers will work hard to minimize payments. That’s why it’s critically important that you work with an experienced burn injury lawyer who will fight to get you and your family the compensation you need and deserve.

Types of Fire Injuries

A fire or explosion can cause serious injuries and lead to permanent scarring. The severity of a burn injury is expressed in terms of degrees to classify the extent of tissue damage in a given area. The higher the degree, the worse the burn.

First Degree Burns

First degree burns are the least severe type of burn injury. They are recognized by redness, pain, minor inflammation, and swelling, or dry, peeling skin. A first degree burn only affects the top layer of skin. Common causes of first degree burns include prolonged exposure to the sun or contact with hot water.

Second Degree Burns

A second degree burn affects deeper layers of skin and is characterized by blisters and redness on burnt skin. They are significantly more painful than a first degree burn, and can be caused by limited contact with flames, boiling liquids, or chemicals. A second degree burn is susceptible to infection that can lead to scarring.

Third Degree Burns

A third degree burn is the most severe form of a non-lethal burn. Third degree burns destroy all three layers of skin and require hospitalization. A third degree burn may affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments, and is characterized by charred skin and catastrophic damage to skin and subcutaneous tissue. Third degree burns are commonly caused by severe fires, contact with aggressive chemicals, or electrical shock.

Fourth Degree Burns

Fourth degree burns extend beyond the skin and affect internal organs. They are often lethal, and are commonly caused by fire or electrical shock. People who survive fourth degree burns lose skin and other tissue and require skin grafts.

Fifth Degree Burns

A fifth degree burn affects all soft tissue and organs in the affected area, and can also damage bones. Fifth degree burns are almost always deadly. People who have survived fifth degree burns required amputation.

Sixth Degree Burns

Sixth degree burns are deadly and the burning is so severe that bones are badly damaged or even charred.

Smoke Inhalation

Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of fire deaths.

Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of fire deaths. Inhaling smoke can cause injury to the upper airway, asphyxiation, or carbon monoxide toxicity, and burn injuries to the lungs, windpipe, and throat. Smoke inhalation can also cause respiratory failure and oxygen deprivation which can lead to brain damage or cardiac issues.

Causes of Burn Injuries

Common causes of burn injuries include:

• Apartment fires
• Fires caused by truck accidents or tanker explosions
• Motor vehicle accidents that cause a fire or explosion
• Fires or explosion while on the job
• Electrical cord fires
• Defective products
• Locked or blocked exits during a building fire
• Scalding water and pipes
• Recreational fires in hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and other spaces

People who have suffered fire and burn injuries or scarring from a fire or explosion may be entitled to compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages
• Past and future pain and suffering
• Disability or disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Emotional distress

If someone you loved died because of an explosion or fire, your family may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills
• Loss of past and future earnings
• Loss of companionship
• Pre-death pain and suffering

If you or someone you love was injured in a fire accident or explosion, you need an experienced fire accident lawyer on your side who will investigate the cause of the fire.

Investigating Fire Accident Cases

At Robenalt Law, we begin our representation of burn victims by gathering and preserving evidence and identifying all parties who could be responsible. We regularly work with experts to identify the cause of a fire, and assess the severity of a burn victim’s pain and suffering, the projected cost of future medical care and treatment, and the emotional trauma caused by scarring and disfigurement. We also analyze any other legal issues that could impact the amount of compensation that can be recovered.

Our fire accident experts analyze burn and char patterns and the degree of decomposition in the path of the flames to identify the area of origin of the fire. Then our lawyers interview witnesses to identify materials that were present in the area of origin that could have ignited or provided fuel for the fire.

Robenalt Law—Seeking Justice for Fire Accident Cases

If you suffered a burn injury or someone you loved died in a fire caused by negligence, the fire accident injury lawyers at Robenalt Law are here to help. We understand that no amount of money can make up for what you lost, but compensation can help pay for:

• Past and future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral and burial expenses

We work on a contingency fee, which means we don’t get paid unless we recover money for you. Our lawyers are no stranger to the courtroom, and have amassed an impressive record of personal injury case results.

We invite you to learn why people choose us, and to contact us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Tom Robenalt started his litigation career representing corporate defendants and insurance companies at a large firm in Cleveland. For the past 25 years, he has used that experience to help victims and their families secure compensation when they have been injured by someone else’s negligence.