Burn Injury Attorneys in York, PA
Help for severe injuries from fires and explosions in South Central Pennsylvania
Burns and fire-related injuries are a common cause of injury and unintentional death in the United States. These injuries tend to be catastrophic, and recovering from one comes with steep physical, financial, and emotional costs. A patient’s path to recovery can become even more challenging when the injuries are a result of another person’s negligence.
If you or a loved one has sustained a serious burn injury that was not your fault, you have the right to seek compensation. At KBG Injury Law, our York personal injury attorneys want to help. We understand the toll a catastrophic injury takes on victims and their entire lives, and we believe the responsible parties should be held accountable. We can help you recover the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.
How can we help?
- What are the different types of burn injuries?
- What are the degrees of burn injuries?
- What are complications of fire and burn injuries?
- Where are burn injury centers in Pennsylvania?
- What should I do after a burn injury to protect my case?
- Is there a York, PA burn injury attorney near me?
- Meet our experts
What are the different types of burn injuries?
While a mild burn may heal quickly and with no complications, a deeper burn can affect the muscles and tissues beneath the skin. These can take a lengthy amount of time to heal, cause extreme pain and even require surgery. Common types of burn injuries include:
- Thermal burns, as a result of contact with a hot object, such as steam, hot liquids, metals and flames.
- Chemical burns, when a person touches or ingests a corrosive chemical or other toxic substance.
- Inhalation burns, as a result of breathing in chemical fumes or hot steam.
- Radiation burns, caused by severe sunburn (UV rays), or radiation therapy used to treat cancer.
- Electrical burns, which can happen when electricity comes into contact with the body.
- Scalding burns, as a result of coming into contact with steam or superheated liquids.
Without immediate medical intervention, many burn injuries can turn into life-threatening situations.
What are the degrees of burn injuries?
The severity of a burn injury is measured by degree. The higher the degree, the worse the damage. Medical professionals classify burns as follows.
- First-degree burns: First-degree burns require the lowest level of treatment and cause the smallest amount of damage to a person’s skin. Also referred to as a superficial burn, this degree of burn typically causes minor pain, swelling and redness. The most common example of a first-degree burn is a mild to moderate sunburn.
- Second-degree burns: Second-degree burns are more severe than first-degree burns, as they reach the second layer of skin. Signs of a second-degree burn may include deeply red skin and blisters. These burns often require a longer amount of time from which to recover, and patients are advised to seek medical attention.
- Third-degree burns: Third-degree burns extend deeper into the tissue and generally result in permanent scarring. Skin may turn white around the burned area or take on a charred appearance. Victims may not feel pain as nerve endings can be affected. These burns are extremely serious and require immediate medical attention.
- Fourth-degree burns: Fourth-degree burns can go deep into muscles, tissues, and bones. These injuries are catastrophic and often fatal. Patients who survive these injuries typically endure skin grafts and multiple surgeries, as well as permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Surviving anything above a fourth-degree burn is extremely rare and may involve amputation of that particular body part. Any serious burn injury requires lengthy recovery time, a great deal of follow-up care and physical therapy, and ongoing medical expenses. The York attorneys at KBG Injury Law understand the financial and emotional burden of this type of injury, and we can help.
What are complications of fire and burn injuries?
Fire and burn injuries, especially those that cover a wide swath of the body, can result in life-threatening complications. Even minor burn injuries, without proper treatment, can develop severe infections and other health issues. The Cleveland Clinic reports some of the major complications associated with serious burn injuries:
- Arrhythmia (heart rhythm disturbances)
- Disfiguring scars and muscle contractures.
- Edema, which is excess fluid and swelling in tissues.
- Multiple organ failure.
- Pneumonia.
- Dangerously low blood pressure, leading to shock.
- Severe infections, leading to sepsis or amputation.
Our legal team works with your doctors and specialists to assess the severity of your burn injury, and the ways in which it will affect your life – now and in the future.
Where are burn injury centers in Pennsylvania?
According to the American Burn Association (ABA), over 450,000 serious burn injuries requiring medical treatment happen every year in the United States. Here in Pennsylvania, we have several burn and fire injury centers providing treatment to patients, including:
- UPMC Mercy Trauma and Burn Center: 1400 Locust Street, Pittsburgh
- Nathan Speare Regional Burn Treatment Center: 1 Medical Center Blvd, Chester
- West Penn Burn Center: 4800 Friendship Ave, Pittsburgh
- Lehigh Valley Health Network Regional Burn Center: Allentown
- Jefferson Burn Center: 1100 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
- Temple Burn Center: 3401 North Broad Street, Philadelphia
- Christopher’s Hospital for Children: Erie Avenue at Front Street, Philadelphia
No matter how or where your accident occurred, the York burn injury attorneys at KBG Injury Law can help determine the responsible party and get to work preparing your case. You can focus on the things that matter, like healing from your injuries or helping your loved one recover. Let us take it from here.
What should I do after a burn injury to protect my case?
Burn and fire-related injuries often have life-altering consequences, such as pain, scarring, disfigurement, post-traumatic stress disorder, expensive medical bills, and rehabilitative care. This is why it is essential for victims to know what steps to follow after sustaining a burn injury to maximize the value of their personal injury case.
Seek medical attention
A medical professional can diagnose the degree and severity of your or your loved one’s injury. You may not need medical care for a first-degree burn, though you should still visit your doctor, especially if the area is inflamed or affects a large part of the body.
Ensure you receive medical care in the following situations:
- You or a loved one sustained a serious second-degree burn or worse.
- The victim is an infant or a senior citizen.
- Your skin or your loved one’s skin appears leathery or charred.
- You or your loved one have burned your feet, hands, genitals, or face.
- You or your loved one have a burn blister larger than two inches.
Patients with serious burns may require fluids and oxygen, along with other treatments like skin grafts. Additionally, a medical professional will monitor and prevent infection, a common complication of burn- and fire-related injuries.
Follow treatment regimens
Follow your physician’s treatment plans exactly as instructed. Serious burn injuries require professional monitoring over a few days or weeks. Until the burns heal, you face the risk of infection. Straying from your treatment plan, may cause your injuries to worsen, extend your recovery time, and harm your chances to recover damages in a personal injury action.
Talk to a York, PA burn injury attorney
Burn or fire-related injuries can cause great emotional suffering in addition to physical suffering. Burns that cause physical pain, amputation, scarring, disfigurement, disability, mental anguish, medical bills, and missed time at work require the attention of an experienced burn injury lawyer. In most cases, you will only have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit for a burn injury. If your burn was the result of a work-related accident, our York workers’ compensation lawyers can help, too.
Medical bills can add up quickly, and when your injury is the result of someone else’s action, the attorneys at KBG Injury Law will fight for the compensation you need to recover – financially, physically, and mentally. That is our promise to you.
Is there a York, PA burn injury attorney near me?
KBG Injury Law offices are located at 110 North George Street, near Interstate 83 and Routes 30, 74 and 462. We are in the heart of downtown York, with local parking available.
Compassionate and helpful York, PA burn and fire injury lawyers
At KBG Injury Law, you are never treated as simply another client, but as a person in need of help. Our burn and fire injury attorneys give our clients the attention they deserve and understand they are unique individuals. We know how a burn or fire-related injury can affect you emotionally and financially, and we want to help you recover the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one suffered injury in a fire or accident that was not your fault, contact us today for a free consultation. Call 717.848.4848 or tell free at 800.509.1011 or fill out our contact form today. We have offices in York, Lancaster, Harrisburg, Hanover, and Gettysburg, and serve clients throughout South Central Pennsylvania.
Meet Our Experts
Brian P. Strong
Brian P. Strong is a personal injury and wrongful death lawyer at KBG since 2002, and has successfully achieved large verdicts for his clients. A member of multiple bar associations, he also actively supports community organizations. He started his career as a judicial clerk, then as a prosecutor, before focusing on civil litigation. Outside work, he enjoys outdoor activities and is an avid supporter of Susquehanna Service Dogs and the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
Craig Milsten
Craig Milsten, an AV-Preeminent rated trial attorney, is known for his numerous courtroom victories and specializes in personal injury and insurance bad faith cases. With degrees from The American University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, he has held leadership positions in the York County Bar Association. Prior to his law career, he was a sportswriter for the Washington Post. Craig is also an active community volunteer, raising significant funds for health initiatives.
Edward Kennett
Ted Kennett has spent over 30 years advocating for individuals harmed by negligence, specializing in various types of accident and negligence cases. A Temple Law School graduate, he has extensive experience, ranging from the District Attorney's office to litigation before the Supreme Court. With numerous accolades, including membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and an "AV-Preeminent" rating, Ted is currently Chair of the Lancaster Bar Association Professionalism/Ethics Section.
Evan Kline
Evan Kline, with nearly 30 years of experience, has represented hundreds of clients in complex injury claims, securing large verdicts. He is "AV-Preeminent" rated and a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Nationally recognized for his use of technology in law, he speaks at numerous conferences. A believer in prioritizing clients over cases, Evan joined KBG Injury Law in 2001, having previously worked with a large Harrisburg firm and insurance companies.
Timothy Salvatore
Tim Salvatore, with nearly 30 years of legal experience, specializes in complex injury claims, often representing motorcyclists. Previously representing insurance companies, he found fulfillment in advocacy for injured individuals and joined KBG over two decades ago. A Widener University School of Law graduate, he serves in multiple local associations and has an "AV-Preeminent" rating, as well as membership in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Wesley A. Addington
Wesley A. Addington, a Lancaster County native and Widener Law School graduate, focuses on representing injured individuals at KBG's personal injury and wrongful death team. Prior to KBG, he gained experience in general practice law offices, the Dauphin County Public Defender’s Office, and a personal injury office in Lehigh Valley. He believes in informing clients about their rights and providing plain language advice. Wes is a member of the York County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations.
Brad K. Muller
Brad K. Muller, a York County native and University of Baltimore School of Law graduate, began his legal career as a Judicial Clerk and then as a prosecutor in the York County District Attorney’s Office. Currently, at KBG Injury Law, he uses his expertise to assist clients achieve justice. Brad holds various roles within the York County Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association. His personal interests include cooking, board games, and traveling.