Birmingham Burn Injury Attorneys

Put More Than Two Decades of Experience in Your Corner

Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law is the premier law firm when it comes to severe burn injuries and personal injury claims. We focus heavily on these types of cases, giving us levels of insight and experience that you will not find at other personal injury firms. Our burn injury lawyers have fought and won on behalf of clients in situations very similar to your own – and we are prepared to do the same for you!

Why You Need an Experienced Burn Injury Lawyer

Burn injuries are not only painful, but are also serious injuries that require immediate medical attention. Depending on the severity of the burn, you may need to undergo skin grafting, surgery or even amputation. Together with the emotional and psychological toll, severe burn injuries may also require expensive long-term treatment. File for compensation to make sure you can afford high-quality care.

Have you or a loved one suffered a burn injury because of someone else's reckless actions? Our Birmingham burn injury lawyers at Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law can help you file a compensation-seeking claim against the responsible party. You and your loved ones shouldn't have to shoulder the financial burden of an accident caused by another party. Pursue justice with us today.

Classification of Burn Injuries

A burn is classified as an injury to the skin that is the result of heat, cold, electricity, chemicals or radiation. The bigger the burn, the more serious it can be to your health. There are four degrees of burn, the first degree not being very severe while the fourth degree is the most severa an indivudual can sustain.

• First degree burn: First degree burns affect the outermost layer of skin, which is called the epidermis. First degree burns are painful, red, and dry with no blisters formed. A mild sunburn is an example of a first degree burn. These are also known as "superficial" burns.
• Second degree burn: Second degree burns involve the lower layer of the skin, which is called the dermis. These are also known as "partial thickness" burns.
• Third degree burn: Third degree burns affect both the dermis and the epidermis. These burns may even go all the way to the subcutaneous tissue. Third degree burns look blackened and are also known as "full thickness" burns.
• Fourth degree burn: Fourth-degree burns go through both of the layers of skin as well as the deeper and underlying tissue. These burns may even affect muscle and bone. The nerve endings with these types of burns have been destroyed, which leaves no feeling in the affected area.

During our over 25 years of experience, our Birmingham burn injury attorney has aided countless burn victims. When handling burn injury cases, our burn injury lawyers act quickly before important evidence is discarded or lost.

Our burn injury attorneys' dedication and commitment are evident in everything that we do. Over the years, Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law have won millions of dollars in compensation for seriously injured burn victims. As soon as you enlist our services, we will roll up our sleeves and begin working on a personalized case strategy that reflects your specific needs. You don't have to face this traumatic experience alone.

Burn Injury Treatments

Depending on the severity of the burn, some are able to be treated at home, while other burns must be treated in a hospital as soon as possible. As soon as a person suffers a burn injury, he/she must seek immediate medical attention. For minor burns, using ice cubes or cold water can help reduce the pain and swelling, in addition to using bandages and pain-relieving medications. Most doctors use a tool to estimate the total body surface area that is affected by a burn. This tool is called “The Rule of Nines”. A physician using this chart can estimate the total damage of a patient’s injury within a few minutes.

The following treatments may be required for more serious burns:

• Skin grafts or flap procedures. A skin graft is a piece of skin that is transplanted to damaged skin with the goal of healing a deep wound.
• Antibiotics
• Antihistamines
• Intravenous fluid
• Surgery
• Amputation

If you have been injured by a burn, it is important that you seek medical attention if you notice any of the following:

• Burns that take up over 10% of the body
• Burns accompanied with a traumatic injury
• Chemical burns, second degree or third-degree burns

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

From natural gas and industrial burns to chemical and electrical burns, burn injuries can happen in a wide variety of ways and affect individuals of all ages. These injuries can happen at the workplace, at home, or even in a vehicle.

The following are the most common causes of burn injuries:

• Car accidents – When a vehicle is involved in a collision, the gasoline in the tank could ignite, causing the car to become engulfed in flames and burn occupants.
• Gas explosions – Gas and oil workers are often injured by explosions and fires caused by unsafe working conditions, improper storage of gasses, or negligence. Additionally, a faulty water heater or oven can lead to gas explosions in homes and apartments.
• Electrocution – When a person is exposed to electrical current, electrical burns can occur. Not only does electrocution result in burns, but it can also damage the cardiovascular and respiratory system since the electrical current is coursing through the body.
• Chemical accidents – Chemical burns are caused by extremely acidic or alkaline substances, such as gasoline, paint thinner, and even common household items like drain cleaners.
• Scalding hot water – Hot tap water is the main cause of scalding burns for children and the elderly.
• Defective products– Dangerous and defective products that run on batteries or other sources of combustible fuel can short circuit, spark, or overheat, resulting in a fire and burns.

Consult a Birmingham Burn Injury Lawyer for Free

If you are suffering from burn injuries due to the negligence of another, you have the right to seek justice for your pain and suffering. If you are unsure about whether or not you have a legitimate burn injury case, contact our attorneys for a consultation to discuss your specific details. We handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. We don't charge out-of-pocket legal fees unless we are successful in obtaining compensation on your behalf. As our client, you can rest assured in knowing that your matter is in competent hands.