Albuquerque Burn Injury Attorney

At Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Injury Lawyers, we understand the complexities and devastating impact of burn injuries. Our experienced Albuquerque attorneys have developed effective strategies to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Understanding the severity of your burn injury is crucial in building a strong case for your medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering.

First Degree Burns

First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). The burn site appears red, painful, and dry, with no blisters. While these burns are typically minor and heal quickly, they can still cause discomfort and may require medical attention if covering large areas or affecting sensitive parts of the body.

Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns, also known as partial thickness burns, damage both the outer layer (epidermis) and part of the underlying skin layer (dermis). The burn site appears red, blistered, swollen, and painful. These burns often require medical care and may result in scarring.

Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns, or full thickness burns, are the most severe. They destroy all layers of skin and can damage underlying fat, muscles, tendons, and bones. The burn site may appear white, blackened, or yellow, and the area might feel numb due to nerve damage. These burns always require immediate medical attention and often involve skin grafts and extensive treatment.

Fourth-Degree Burns
While less common, it’s important to note that fourth-degree burns also exist. These are the most severe and life-threatening, affecting all layers of skin, fat, muscles, tendons, and bones. They require immediate medical intervention and often result in a long, complex recovery process.

Understanding the type and severity of your burn injury is crucial in determining the appropriate medical treatment and legal strategy. At Glasheen, Valles & Inderman, we’re committed to helping you navigate this challenging time and securing the compensation you need for your recovery.

Experiencing a burn injury can be a traumatic and overwhelming event. Taking the right steps immediately after the incident can significantly impact your health and potential legal case. If you or a loved one suffers a burn injury in Albuquerque or anywhere in New Mexico, follow these critical steps:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Your health and safety are the top priorities. Even if the burn seems minor, it’s crucial to get professional medical care as soon as possible. Burns can worsen quickly and lead to complications if not treated properly. Follow these guidelines:

• For minor burns, cool the area with room temperature water and cover with a clean, dry cloth.
• For severe burns, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
• Do not attempt to remove clothing stuck to burned areas.
• Avoid applying ice, butter, or ointments to the burn, as these can cause further damage.

Document Your Injury and Recovery

Keeping detailed records is essential for both your medical care and potential legal case:

• Take photos of your injuries as soon as it’s safe to do so and continue to document the healing process.
• Keep a journal of your symptoms, pain levels, and how the injury affects your daily life.
• Save all medical records, including diagnoses, treatment plans, and prescriptions.
• Keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury.

Report the Incident

Ensure the incident is officially documented:

• If the burn occurred at work, report it to your employer immediately and file a workers’ compensation claim.
• For burns that happen in public places or on someone else’s property, report the incident to the property owner or manager.
• If applicable, file a police report, especially if the burn resulted from a car accident or assault.

Gather Evidence

Collecting evidence can strengthen your case:

• Take photos of the accident scene, if possible.
• Get contact information from any witnesses.
• Preserve any defective products or equipment that may have caused the burn.
• Keep any clothing or personal items damaged in the incident.

Consult an Experienced Burn Injury Attorney

At Glasheen, Valles & Inderman, we understand the complexities of burn injury cases in New Mexico. We offer free consultations to discuss your legal options:

• Don’t speak with insurance companies or sign any documents before consulting with us.
• We can help you understand your rights and the potential compensation you may be entitled to.
• Our experienced attorneys will guide you through the legal process, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Remember, time is of the essence in burn injury cases. Evidence can disappear, and there are legal deadlines for filing claims. Contact Glasheen, Valles & Inderman as soon as possible after your injury to ensure your rights are protected and you have the best chance at receiving the compensation you deserve.

Burn injury victims in Albuquerque and throughout New Mexico have important legal rights. If your burn injury resulted from someone else’s negligence or a defective product, you may be entitled to significant compensation. At Glasheen, Valles & Inderman, we fight to protect these rights and secure the financial support you need for recovery.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

Medical Expenses

We pursue compensation for immediate emergency care and hospitalization, surgeries including skin grafts and reconstructive procedures, ongoing treatments such as physical therapy and rehabilitation, medications and pain management, and future medical needs related to your burn injury.

Lost Wages and Earning Capacity

Our team works to secure compensation for time off work during recovery, loss of future earning potential if your injury affects your ability to work, and job retraining costs if you’re unable to return to your previous occupation.

Pain and Suffering

We fight for damages related to physical pain endured due to the burn injury and treatments, emotional distress including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and loss of enjoyment of life due to limitations caused by your injury.

Long-term Disability

Our attorneys pursue ongoing care costs for permanent disabilities, home modifications to accommodate mobility issues, and assistive devices and technologies.

Additional Damages

We also seek compensation for scarring and disfigurement, loss of consortium for impacts on personal relationships, and punitive damages in cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm.

Protecting Your Rights

It’s crucial to understand that insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. At Glasheen, Valles & Inderman, we thoroughly investigate your case to identify all liable parties. We work with medical experts to fully assess your current and future needs. Our team negotiates aggressively with insurance companies on your behalf and prepares to take your case to trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached.

Don’t let the complexity of burn injury law intimidate you. Our experienced attorneys will guide you through the legal process, ensuring your rights are protected every step of the way. Contact us for a free consultation to learn how we can help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Burn injuries can occur in various settings and from multiple sources. Understanding the common causes can help in prevention and in determining liability when seeking compensation. Here are the primary types of burn injuries we encounter in Albuquerque and across New Mexico:

Thermal Burns

Thermal burns result from contact with heat sources. These include hot metals, scalding liquids, steam, and open flames. Common scenarios involve kitchen accidents, car fires, and industrial mishaps.

Radiation Burns

Radiation burns often occur due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. In some cases, they can result from medical treatments involving X-rays or radiation therapy.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns happen when skin comes into contact with strong acids, alkalies, detergents, or solvents. These injuries are common in industrial settings but can also occur in households with cleaning products.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns are caused by exposure to electrical currents. They can happen in the workplace, particularly in construction or electrical maintenance, or at home due to faulty wiring or electrical appliances.

Effects of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can have devastating effects that extend beyond physical pain. Victims often face long-term challenges including:

• Loss of physical abilities
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Recurrent infections
• Emotional trauma, including depression and PTSD
• Nightmares or flashbacks to the traumatic event

These injuries don’t just affect the victim; they can impact the entire family, causing emotional stress and financial strain.

While many burn injuries occur in the workplace, a significant number happen at home. If you’ve suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or willful misconduct, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Glasheen, Valles & Inderman for a free consultation to explore your legal options.

Remember, while precautions can reduce risks, accidents can still happen. When they do, our experienced burn injury attorneys are here to help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.

To recover compensation for a burn injury, you must establish that another party’s negligence caused your injury. Key factors may include:

Demonstrating Negligence

We need to prove that the person or company who caused your burn did something wrong. This could mean they:

• Didn’t follow safety rules
• Forgot to put up warning signs
• Used faulty equipment
• Didn’t train their workers properly

For example, if a restaurant serves you extremely hot coffee without warning, and you get burned, they might be at fault.

Establishing Liability

Next, we show that the person or company who made the mistake is legally responsible for your injury. This might be:

• A property owner where the accident happened
• A company that made a faulty product
• An employer who didn’t keep the workplace safe

If you got burned at work because your boss didn’t give you proper safety gear, they could be responsible.

Connecting Causation

We must show that the mistake directly caused your burn. This means:

• Gathering evidence like photos and witness statements
• Getting expert opinions from doctors
• Explaining how the accident led to your specific injuries

For instance, if a defective hair dryer shocked you and caused burns, we’d prove that the faulty product directly caused your injury.