New York City Burn Injury Attorneys
Burns & Smoke Inhalation Injuries
With roots dating back to 1972 and founded in 1996, Rubenstein & Rynecki
has been representing victims of fires, explosions, and other serious
disasters, including a major high-profile fire tragedy with numerous victims,
throughout New York City’s five boroughs for decades. From our office
in Brooklyn, our New York City burn injury lawyers have successfully fought
on behalf of burn injury victims, as well as the surviving loved ones
of those who died due to burns and smoke inhalation. We understand the
devastating impact these injuries have on victims and their families – and
we are committed to tirelessly seeking the justice you deserve.
Not only are these injuries very painful, but they are also disfiguring,
and, in many cases, they permanently limit victims’ physical abilities.
It is important that burn victims receive immediate legal attention, as
well as the best medical care possible. If you have been burned in a fire
or suffered from smoke inhalation, it is important that you immediately
consult a
New York City personal injury lawyer who can help.
Contact Rubenstein & Rynecki online or call our office at
(718) 522-1020 today to speak to a member of our legal team at absolutely no cost.
Types of Burn Injuries
While we typically consider fire and very hot surfaces to be the source
of skin burns, burns can be caused by anything from chemicals to electrocution
to contact with extremely cold substances. In fact, the skin is a vital
organ of the human body that can suffer serious and debilitating injury
by any number of means.
Annually, about 224,000 Americans are burned to the point where they require
emergency room treatment. Surprisingly, about 86% of those burns result
from non-fire causes, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Burns are classified according to type in the following ways:
- Thermal Burns: Those caused by contact with hot items, surfaces, and substances
- Electrical Burns: Those caused by contact with live electrical currents
- Chemical Burns: Those caused by contact with abrasive/corrosive substances
- Friction Burns: Those caused by scraping against hard surfaces (“road rash”)
- Cold Burns: Those caused by contact with extremely cold substances (“frostbite”)
Additionally, burns are categorized according to severity as follows:
- First-Degree Burns: The mildest type of burn injury, first-degree burns typically result in
redness, localized pain, and other mild symptoms - Second-Degree Burns: Considered moderate to severe injuries, second-degree burns generally affect
the upper layer of skin (epidermis) and are more damaging than first-degree burns - Third-Degree Burns: Third-degree burns are severe injuries that typically affect both the upper
and lower layers of skin (epidermis and dermis) and can result in charred
skin and/or numbness - Fourth-Degree Burns: The most severe type of burn, fourth-degree burns damage both layers of
skin, as well as surrounding tissues, muscles, ligaments, and even bones
Moderate and severe burn injuries are considered medical emergencies. Victims
will likely experience significant pain, scarring, and disfigurement,
even with proper medical treatment. In some cases, victims may even die
due to severe burn injuries.
At Rubenstein & Rynecki, we truly understand the trauma associated
with serious burn injuries. Our New York City burn lawyers are here to
represent your rights and provide the compassionate, personalized attention
you deserve. We know that nothing can undo the harm you have experienced,
but a fair recovery can provide you with the financial resources you need to heal.
Common Causes of Burns & Smoke Inhalation
Just as there are many types of burns, there are many causes of burn injuries
and smoke inhalation, as well. When it comes to filing a personal injury or
wrongful death claim, the cause of the injury or death is critical, as it typically points
to the liable party.
Where those burns happen is, of course, also important to the burn victim
who is seeking financial compensation for medical costs, as well as for
time away from earning a living and the permanent physical damage and
emotional pain commonly associated with severe burns.
Each of the following scenarios are commonly cited in litigation:
- Workplace Accidents: When employer negligence allows a dangerous situation to persist, the
employee may be due
workers’ compensation benefits. This could even be the case if an employer was not necessarily
negligent, but the employee was injured at work or while carrying out
activities related to his or her employment. Additionally, if injuries
are caused by a third party, money damages are appropriate. - Unsafe Premises: Property owners are responsible for maintaining reasonably
safe premises for visitors. This is true of both public and private property owners.
When building managers, landowners, homeowners, government agencies, and
other property owners are negligent, it can lead to fires, explosions,
and other disasters that leave victims suffering from devastating and
life-altering burns and smoke inhalation injuries. - Defective Products: When the design, manufacture, or accompanying instructions of a product
cause a fire, explosion, or serious burn injury, the entities involved
can be held responsible for damages. Our attorneys can help you understand
your options and, if appropriate, file a
product liability claim or lawsuit against the responsible party. - Motor Vehicle Accidents: Some collisions involving
cars,
motorcycles,
trucks, and other motor vehicles lead to devastating fires. Often, these accidents
are caused by the negligence of others, as well as defective vehicle design
and/or defective parts. It is important that you work with an attorney
who can properly investigate the crash to determine how it happened and,
critically, who is liable.
When a burn injury happens to you or a loved one, a qualified attorney
will be able to conduct a valid investigation into the causes of the burn
and fight for an appropriate and fair settlement or jury verdict to compensate
you for your losses.
Reach Out to Rubenstein & Rynecki Today
Our firm is known for our compassionate, client-focused approach, as well
as our long history of success in complex personal injury claims. Our
attorneys have successfully handled high-profile burn injury and smoke
inhalation cases in New York City and have secured hundreds of millions
of dollars in compensation for victims. We are committed to providing
the quality legal representation you deserve and believe in remaining
consistently accessible and available to our clients.
From our Brooklyn office, we proudly represent clients throughout NYC’s
five boroughs, including Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
Our team offers legal services in a variety of languages – including
Spanish, Russian, Romanian, Greek, and Creole – to meet the needs
of our clients, and we do not collect any attorney fees unless/until we
recover compensation for you.
To schedule a complimentary consultation, call
(718) 522-1020 or
contact us online.