New Jersey Contact Burn Injury Lawyers
Contact Burns
A contact burn is a burn from exposure to a very hot object, liquid or gas, rather than direct exposure to flame. Contact burns can be caused by scalding hot liquids and superheated steam, as well as exposure to very hot metal or other materials that conduct heat. Chemical burns and cold burns may also be considered a type of contact burn. Contact burns involving exposure to physical objects may be especially destructive because the object may stick to the skin, forcing the victim or helpers to tear it -- and some skin -- away.
If you or someone you care about was seriously burned because of another person's carelessness, you have the right to hold that person responsible for the results -- physical, financial and emotional. In a New Jersey contact burn injury lawsuit, you can ask for money to pay for past and future medical bills; therapy; past and future loss of income; and any other costs related to the accident. You can also ask for compensation for your physical pain and suffering; emotional trauma; any permanent disability; or any wrongful death and related costs.
Unfortunately, contact burns are common workplace injuries, especially for those who work in construction, manufacturing or other industries involving heavy machinery. But contact burns can happen in any setting that involves hot objects, liquids or gases, including:
- Car, truck and motorcycle accidents
- Cooking accidents, including steam burns and scalds
- Accidents with steam pipes or hot water heaters
- Superheated equipment, including light fixtures, mufflers and industrial tools
- Electrical problems
Like other burns, a contact burn can be life-threatening when it destroys a significant portion of the victim's skin. Without the skin, the human body may have trouble fighting off infections and maintaining a safe body temperature or hydration level. But even if the victim is out of danger, a severe burn is a life-changing injury because it leaves the skin scarred. Victims may have trouble regaining a full range of movement -- leaving them partly disabled -- and will likely be left with permanent scarring that changes their appearance dramatically, traumatizing them and inviting prejudice.
To avoid this scarring or make it less visible, victims may need multiple skin grafts, other surgeries or even physical therapy. Victims of catastrophic accidents, especially children, may also need substantial therapy to help them overcome the emotional trauma of the accident and the discrimination or teasing they may face because of their scars. These needs help make burn injuries some of the most expensive injuries to treat.
Lependorf & Silverstein has practiced personal injury law in New Jersey for 15 years. Based in Princeton, we serve clients throughout the state who have been burned or otherwise seriously injured through no fault of their own. We're proud to be able to say we've won millions for our injured clients -- money they can use to get the medical care they need, support themselves through a difficult time and move on. Our Princeton New Jersey burn injury law firm has handled burn injury cases for years; we understand the legal and medical complexities often presented by a serious burn lawsuit.
At Lependorf & Silverstein, our New Jersey contact burn attorneys work only for a contingency fee, an arrangement in which we never ask for legal fees at the beginning of the case. Instead, our fees will be a percentage of the money we win for you, an amount we'll agree on before you agree to hire us. If we don't win, you're not expected to pay anything. This arrangement not only allows us to bond more closely with our clients, but allows us to take any viable case -- not just those brought by people who can afford high hourly legal fees. And because we offer free, no-obligation consultations, there's never any risk in contacting Lependorf & Silverstein to discuss your rights and the likely outcomes of your case.
If you or a loved one has suffered a severe contact burn in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.