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Phoenix Burn Injury Lawyer - Solorzano Law Firm Trusted Attorneys
Phoenix & Tucson Burn Injury Lawyer
If you have suffered a burn injury in Phoenix, our experienced burn injury lawyer can help you seek compensation for medical treatment, pain, and disfigurement. Solorzano Law Firm provides trusted legal representation for burn injuries caused by fire, chemical burns, electrical burns, and other accidents.
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Burn Injury Lawyer Phoenix, Tucson
Unless you’ve endured a severe burn injury, it’s hard to grasp the sheer agony involved. Reports suggest it’s far more excruciating than other painful experiences, such as kidney stones or childbirth. Treatment often involves equally painful procedures like debridement, where dead and damaged skin tissue is removed.
If you’ve suffered a burn injury, your immediate priority is seeking medical help, ideally at a local burn center. Once you’ve received treatment, you must speak with a Phoenix burn injury lawyer to understand your rights. Mr. Solorzano, an experienced personal injury attorney, can honestly assess your case, covering both liability and damages. He provides a free and confidential consultation for those dealing with injuries, including burn injuries.
What are the common causes of burn injuries?
Burn injuries can happen in many ways. Each type of burn can create serious pain, medical complications, scarring, infection risk, and long-term treatment needs.
Scalding: Scald burns happen when the skin is exposed to hot liquids or steam. These injuries may occur at home, in restaurants, in nursing homes, on job sites, or in other places where hot water, steam, or heated liquids are used.
Chemical burns: Chemical burns can happen when the skin, eyes, or lungs are exposed to harmful substances. These injuries may involve workplace chemicals, cleaning products, solvents, acids, industrial materials, or improperly stored hazardous substances.
Heat burns: Heat burns can result from fires, heaters, ovens, grills, hot metal, vehicle parts, exhaust pipes, and other high-temperature surfaces. These burns may happen in homes, apartments, workplaces, parking lots, public spaces, or motor vehicle accidents.
Electrical burns: Electrical burns happen when the body comes into contact with electrical current. Faulty wiring, unsafe electrical systems, exposed wires, defective equipment, construction site hazards, and lightning strikes can all cause electrical injuries. These burns may damage the skin and may also affect muscles, nerves, the heart, and internal organs.
Explosion-related burns: Explosions can cause severe burns, smoke inhalation, blast trauma, and other life-threatening injuries. These incidents may involve gas leaks, propane tanks, industrial equipment, vehicle crashes, oil and gas operations, construction sites, or defective products.
Cold burns: Cold burns, sometimes called frostbite injuries, can happen when skin is exposed to extreme cold, icy surfaces, dry ice, refrigerants, or other freezing substances for too long.
Burn cases vary in cause and severity, but they often share one common thread: the injured person may face severe pain, extensive treatment, emotional distress, scarring, disfigurement, and a long recovery.
When another person, company, property owner, employer, or product manufacturer causes a burn injury through negligence, unsafe conditions, or a defective product, Arizona law may allow the injured person to pursue compensation. Many Arizona personal injury claims must be filed within two years after the claim accrues. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-542.
Some burn injury cases involve shared fault disputes. Arizona follows a comparative negligence system, which means fault may be divided between the people or entities involved. If the injured person is found partly responsible, the recovery may be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-2505.
Burn injuries that happen at work may involve workersā compensation. In Arizona, an employee who is injured by an accident arising out of and in the course of employment may be entitled to workersā compensation benefits, including medical care and compensation for certain losses. See A.R.S. Ā§ 23-1021. If a third party outside the employer caused the injury, the injured worker may also have a separate claim against that third party. See A.R.S. Ā§ 23-1023.
Some burn injuries involve defective or dangerous products, such as faulty appliances, electrical equipment, heaters, batteries, workplace machinery, chemicals, or gas-powered devices. Arizona law defines product liability actions involving bodily injury, death, or property damage caused by product design, manufacturing, warnings, instructions, labeling, installation, preparation, assembly, testing, sale, use, or consumption. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-681.
Because burn injuries can involve medical treatment, long-term care, lost income, pain, scarring, and permanent changes to daily life, it is important to speak with a Phoenix burn injury lawyer as soon as possible after the injury.
Proving liability and damages in burn cases
Proving liability and damages in a burn injury case follows many of the same principles as other personal injury claims. The injured person must show how the injury happened, who caused it, and how the injury affected their health, work, finances, and daily life.
Burn injury cases often require a detailed investigation into the source of the injury. Depending on the facts, the case may involve a property owner, driver, employer, contractor, manufacturer, maintenance company, or another responsible party. Evidence may include medical records, photos, incident reports, fire reports, workplace records, product manuals, safety warnings, inspection records, witness statements, and expert opinions.
Arizona law may also affect how fault is evaluated. Arizona follows a comparative negligence system, which means fault may be divided between the people or entities involved. If the injured person is found partly responsible, any recovery may be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-2505.
Some burn injury cases involve more than one responsible party. Arizona law generally makes each defendant responsible for that defendantās own percentage of fault, subject to certain exceptions. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-2506.
Damages in a burn injury case may include emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, skin grafting, medication, infection treatment, physical therapy, counseling, scarring, disfigurement, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain, suffering, and future medical care. Because serious burns can cause long-term medical needs and permanent life changes, the full value of the claim may not be clear right away.
Arizona also places deadlines on injury claims. Many personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the claim accrues. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-542. If the burn was caused by a defective product, Arizonaās product liability statutes may also apply. See A.R.S. Ā§Ā§ 12-681 and 12-551.
At Solorzano Law Firm, we understand the serious impact burn injuries can have on injured people and their families. Our team can investigate the cause of the burn, identify the responsible parties, communicate with the insurance company, and pursue the compensation available under Arizona law. Contact us today to learn how we can help with your burn injury case.
At the Solorzano Law Team, we recognize the seriousness of these injuries and the profound impact they can have on you and your loved ones. Our dedicated team will tirelessly pursue the compensation you deserve for your burn injury. Reach out to us today to learn how we can support you in your case.
Why Choose the Solorzano Law Firm Team for My Wrongful Death Case?
At Solorzano Law Firm, we’re not just a team; we’re a group of seasoned legal professionals with decades of experience. We specialize in personal injury cases and pride ourselves on consistently achieving outstanding results for our clients. While not every case ends up in court, having a skilled trial lawyer by your side significantly boosts the chances of reaching a favorable settlement.
If your case does go to trial, rest assured that Jonathan Solorzano and our entire team are prepared to go the distance. We’ll put in the hard work and expertise necessary to ensure you receive top-notch legal representation and the best possible outcome.
If you’ve been injured or need someone to handle your burn injury case, contact Jonathan at the Solorzano Law Team. He’ll meet with you for a free consultation, allowing you to experience firsthand our dedication and commitment to our clients.
Understanding Burn Injuries in Phoenix
Burn injuries are serious medical issues caused by thermal burns, chemical burns, electrical burns, radiation burns, explosions, steam, hot surfaces, toxic chemicals, high-voltage power lines, and acids. A burn occurs when the skin or other body tissue is exposed to extreme heat, harmful chemicals, electricity, radiation, or freezing conditions.
Burns can affect only the outer layer of skin, or they can reach deeper tissue, muscle, nerves, and bone. These injuries can cause pain, infection, scarring, disfigurement, nerve damage, breathing problems, long-term disability, and emotional distress.
Burns are often described by degree:
First-degree burns affect the outer layer of skin. They may cause redness, swelling, and pain.
Second-degree burns damage deeper skin layers. They may cause blisters, severe pain, swelling, and scarring.
Third-degree burns destroy all layers of skin. They may cause white, blackened, or charred skin and may damage nerves.
Fourth-degree burns extend into muscles, tendons, bones, or deeper tissue. These burns can be life-threatening and may require emergency care, surgery, amputation, or long-term treatment.
Electrical burns are especially dangerous because the skin injury may not show the full damage inside the body. Electrical current can affect muscles, nerves, the heart, and internal organs.
Knowing the cause and severity of a burn injury helps victims get proper medical care and helps a lawyer determine who may be legally responsible.
Types of Burn Injuries We Handle
At Solorzano Law Firm, we help people who have suffered serious thermal burns, chemical burns, electrical burns, explosion-related burns, and other burn injuries caused by negligence.
Thermal burns: These burns come from hot objects, steam, flames, scalding liquids, vehicle fires, heaters, ovens, grills, and other heat sources. They can range from minor redness to severe tissue damage.
Chemical burns: These burns are caused by contact with acids, alkaline substances, solvents, industrial chemicals, cleaning products, or other hazardous materials. Chemical burns may continue damaging tissue until the substance is removed and proper medical treatment begins.
Electrical burns: These burns happen when electrical current passes through the body. Electrical injuries may involve entry and exit wounds, internal tissue damage, nerve damage, heart problems, amputations, or death.
Explosion-related burns: Explosions may involve gas leaks, propane, industrial equipment, construction sites, vehicles, defective products, or workplace hazards. These incidents can cause burns, smoke inhalation, blast injuries, and other trauma.
Each type of burn requires fast medical care and a careful legal review of what happened.
Your Phoenix Burn Injury Lawyer
If you suffered a burn injury because of another personās negligence, unsafe property, defective equipment, workplace accident, or dangerous product, a Phoenix burn injury lawyer can help you understand your rights.
Arizona law gives many personal injury victims a limited time to file a lawsuit. In many cases, a personal injury claim must be filed within two years after the claim accrues. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-542.
A burn injury lawyer can help investigate the incident, identify responsible parties, preserve evidence, review medical records, communicate with the insurance company, and pursue the compensation available under Arizona law.
The Legal Process Explained
A burn injury case usually involves several stages.
Case evaluation and free consultation: Your lawyer reviews how the burn happened, what medical care you received, who may be responsible, and what deadlines may apply.
Investigation and evidence gathering: Your lawyer may collect medical records, fire reports, workplace records, product manuals, safety warnings, photos, video, witness statements, inspection records, and expert opinions.
Filing a claim and demand letter: Your lawyer may prepare a demand to the responsible party or insurance company that explains liability, injuries, treatment, damages, and settlement value.
Negotiation with insurance adjusters: Your lawyer negotiates with the insurance company and works to protect you from low offers, recorded statement pressure, and claim delay tactics.
Litigation and trial preparation: If the case does not settle, your lawyer may file a lawsuit, take depositions, exchange evidence, prepare experts, and present the case in court.
Arizona law may affect how fault is divided. Arizona follows a comparative negligence system, which means the injured person may still have a claim even if the insurance company argues that the injured person shares some responsibility. Any recovery may be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-2505.
Some burn injury cases involve more than one responsible party. Arizona law generally makes each defendant responsible for that defendantās own percentage of fault, subject to exceptions. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-2506.
Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Burn Injury
After a serious burn injury, avoid these common mistakes:
Admitting fault: Do not admit liability or guess about what happened before the facts are reviewed.
Giving a recorded statement without legal advice: Insurance adjusters may use your words to dispute your claim.
Delaying medical treatment: Waiting to get care can hurt your health and make it easier for the insurance company to question your injury.
Missing legal deadlines: Arizonaās two-year personal injury deadline may apply in many burn injury cases. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-542.
Failing to keep records: Save medical bills, discharge instructions, prescriptions, photos, pay records, rehab documents, and insurance letters.
Signing release forms too early: A release may end your right to seek additional compensation, even if future medical problems develop.
Handling the case alone: Burn injury cases can involve medical evidence, expert opinions, insurance disputes, and long-term damages. Legal guidance can help protect your claim.
Compensation and Financial Aspects
Burn injury compensation may include more than immediate medical bills. A claim should account for how the injury affects the personās health, work, finances, appearance, independence, and daily life.
Damages may include:
Medical bills: Emergency care, ambulance transport, hospitalization, surgery, skin grafts, infection treatment, medication, specialist visits, rehabilitation, and follow-up care.
Lost wages: Income lost while the injured person cannot work.
Reduced earning ability: Future income loss if the burn injury limits the personās ability to return to the same job, hours, or career.
Pain and suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, trauma, anxiety, sleep problems, and the daily burden of recovery.
Scarring and disfigurement: Permanent scars, visible injuries, skin changes, and the emotional impact of disfigurement.
Long-term care costs: Therapy, in-home care, medical equipment, home changes, transportation, and future procedures.
Catastrophic injury costs: Lifelong medical needs, disability, amputation care, reconstructive treatment, and loss of independence.
If a burn injury results in death, surviving family members may have a wrongful death claim under Arizona law. See A.R.S. Ā§Ā§ 12-611, 12-612, and 12-613.
Workplace Burn Injuries
Burn injuries often happen at work. Construction workers, electricians, restaurant employees, factory workers, mechanics, utility workers, welders, maintenance workers, and warehouse employees may face burn hazards.
In Arizona, an employee injured by an accident arising out of and in the course of employment may be entitled to workersā compensation benefits, including medical care and certain wage-loss benefits. See A.R.S. Ā§ 23-1021.
If someone other than the employer or a co-worker caused the burn injury, the injured employee may also have a third-party claim. This may apply when a subcontractor, property owner, driver, equipment manufacturer, maintenance company, or outside business caused the injury. See A.R.S. Ā§ 23-1023.
Burns Caused by Defective Products
Some burn injuries are caused by defective products. These cases may involve heaters, appliances, batteries, tools, electrical equipment, vehicles, gas devices, chemicals, workplace machinery, or missing safety warnings.
Arizona product liability law may apply when a product causes bodily injury, death, or property damage because of its design, manufacturing, warnings, instructions, labeling, installation, preparation, assembly, testing, sale, use, or consumption. See A.R.S. Ā§ 12-681.
Product-related burn claims may require technical review, expert opinions, product preservation, and analysis of warnings, instructions, maintenance records, and alternative designs.
Understanding Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies may use several tactics to reduce the value of a burn injury claim.
They may deny responsibility, delay the claim, request repeated documentation, question the severity of the injury, argue the burn was pre-existing, dispute the need for treatment, blame the injured person, or offer a quick low settlement before the full medical picture is known.
Arizona law identifies certain unfair claim settlement practices. These include misrepresenting facts or policy provisions, failing to act reasonably and promptly on claim communications, and failing to provide a reasonable explanation for a claim denial or compromise settlement offer. See A.R.S. Ā§ 20-461.
A burn injury lawyer can manage communications with the insurance company, review settlement offers, document damages, and help protect the injured person from accepting less than the claim may be worth.
Resources and Support for Burn Victims
Burn injuries may require months or years of treatment. Victims may need emergency care, hospitalization, wound care, antibiotics, skin grafts, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling, reconstructive surgery, pain management, and long-term follow-up care.
Support can also come from medical providers, burn centers, rehabilitation teams, family members, peer support groups, and legal advocates. The goal is to help the injured person heal physically, emotionally, and financially.
If you or someone you love suffered a serious burn injury in Phoenix or anywhere in Arizona, contact Solorzano Law Firm. Our team can explain your legal options, deal with the insurance company, and pursue the compensation available under Arizona law.