Legal Options After a Catastrophic Fort Collins Burn Injury

Burns are among the most common injuries in Fort Collins CO. According to the American Burn Association, over one million people a year suffer burns that require medical attention. Nearly half require expensive hospitalization.

If you or a loved one have burn-related medical costs due to negligence, the Colorado lawyers at Carabin Shaw are here to help. Our Fort Collins burn injury attorneys have decades of experience helping burn victims secure financial compensation. To date, we have recovered over $1 billion for our clients.

Burns are defined as catastrophic based on type, severity, and size. The main burn types are:

The most common type of burn is a thermal burn, which is caused by contact with dry heat sources, such as fire or hot metal.

Burns that result from hot water or steam are known as scaldings.

Strong solvents or acids can result in chemical burns.

Radiation burns, such as X-rays or ultraviolet radiation from the sun, can happen when victims suffer overexposure to radiation.

When a high-energy electrical current passes through the body, a victim can experience an electrical burn.

Inhalation burns happen when people breathe in toxic chemicals or extreme heat (most commonly smoke from a fire).

Burns are then classified according to their severity:

First-degree burns damage the outer layer of skin (the epidermis). These burns may be painful, but they usually don’t have long-term effects.

Burns that damage the outer layer of skin and the dermis beneath are called second-degree burns. These burns are more painful than first-degree burns and can leave scars.

If a burn causes complete destruction of the epidermis and dermis and injures the underlying tissue, it’s a third-degree burn. Victims who suffer third-degree burns may have skin that appears black, brown, or yellow, with permanent tissue damage.

A burn’s severity is also measured by the total body surface area burned (TBSA):

• Minor Burn: less than 10% TBSA (2% if a third-degree)
• Moderate Burn: 10-20% TBSA (2-5% if a third-degree)
• Major Burn: greater than 20% TBSA (5% if a third-degree)

When you combine a severe burn with a high TBSA, you get a catastrophic burn injury that comes with high medical costs, a higher risk of permanent damage, and a long recovery period.

Burn injuries are among the costliest personal injuries. Consider the following statistics from the American Burn Association, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, and International Society for Burn Injuries:

• The total annual cost for burn treatment in the United States is 1.5 billion dollars.
• The total annual lost wages due to burn injuries is $5 billion.
• Burn-related hospital stays are typically twice as long as non-burn-related stays.
• The average economic impact for burn victims receiving skin grafts is $157,302.
• Burn victims with greater than 10% TBSA had an average impact of $269,523.

Colorado is home to five major burn centers, the fifth-highest number in the nation, which speaks to how frequent the injuries are. We’re grateful for the access to quality care, but that care comes at a high cost.

Fortunately, you have legal options after a catastrophic Fort Collins burn injury that can ease that burden. In addition to some of the best burn care, we also have some of the best lawyers.

If your burn injuries are the result of the following, one of our burn accident lawyers in Fort Collins may be able to help:

Personal injury cases can be pursued if your accident was the result of someone else’s carelessness, violation of duty, or intentional act.

When defective products cause injuries, you can sue for product liability.

Injuries that occur on someone else’s property due to the owner’s negligence can lead to premises liability cases.

If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, the Fort Collins burn injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw are ready to put their experience to work for you. Call us at toll-free 800-862-1260 to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.