A large home in Lehman Township was recently destroyed by an extremely intense fire. According to a local fire chief, “The entire home was a total loss upon [their] arrival.” Fortunately, there were no burn injuries and no one was hurt in the incident.
However, this house fire does raise some interesting questions. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, we are focused on finding the answer to one question in particular: Who’s to blame for your burn injuries if you are hurt in a house fire?
Facts You Should Know About Burn Injuries
Before we answer that question, there are some facts you need to know. Each year in the United States, 1.1 million burn injuries require medical attention; approximately 4,500 of these people die from a burn injury. According to the most recent fact sheet from the American Burn Association, more than 60 percent of the estimated U.S. hospitalizations related to burn injuries were sent to 128 burn centers. U.S. burn centers have treated on average 200 people annually for burn injuries and skin disorders requiring similar treatment.
Burn injuries range from reddening of the skin to thickening of the skin, causing a leathery effect. Depending on the grade of the injury, it can lead to infection, loss of blood, and shock. A burn victim can face years of surgery, therapy, rehabilitation, and depending on the severity of the burn, lifelong care.
Who’s Responsible for My Burn Injury?
The recent fire may not come across as a perfect example, but let’s imagine if someone had gotten hurt in the house fire in Lehman Township.
If someone or something caused the house fire, the injured party(ies) would have the right to sue because of a negligent act. Not only can a person be held responsible, but so can a company or organization. Personal injury lawsuits involving burn injuries typically involve one or more of the following:
- Negligence,
- Product defect,
- Premises liability
Let’s say, for example, the house fire was caused by an appliance that went haywire sending sparks everywhere. These sparks caught on the rug, causing the house to go up in flames. The appliance malfunctioned due to a defect in the manufacturing process. If this was the cause of the fire, then the company that manufactured the appliance would be responsible for the house fire and the injuries that occurred as a result.
Our Burn Injury Lawyers Can Help!
If you or a loved one was the victim of a burn injury caused by another person’s or entity’s negligence, there is help available. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli, our lawyers have been helping victims of fire-related injuries for years. We will make sure those who caused your injuries are held accountable. Contact our firm today to schedule a consultation.
