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Seattle Medical Burn Injury Lawyers
Compassionate advocacy for victims of medical burn injuries in Washington state
Smith McBroom understands the devastating impact of medical burn injuries caused by negligence. With over 20 years of experience, our Seattle medical malpractice lawyers are dedicated to holding doctors, hospitals, and medical device manufacturers accountable for preventable burn injuries. We provide strong representation to ensure you receive fair compensation for both financial losses and personal damages. Contact us today to assert your rights and seek justice.
How can we help?
- What are the different types of burn injuries?
- How are burn injuries categorized?
- How do medical burns occur in Seattle?
- What types of treatments do medical burn injuries need?
- Who is responsible for a medical burn injury in Seattle?
- How much is my medical burn injury claim worth?
- Do you have a Seattle medical burn injury lawyer near me?
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What are the different types of burn injuries?
Stanford Health Care identifies four types of burn injuries:
- Thermal burns These burns are due to external sources that increase skin and tissue temperature causing cell death and charring. Sources of thermal burns include scalding liquids, steam, flames, and hot metals.
- Radiation burns: These burns are caused by long exposure to radiation sources such as X-rays and ultraviolet rays.
- Chemical burns: These burns affect the eyes and/or skin. Common sources include alkalines, strong acids, and detergents.
- Electric burns: These burns are caused by direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC).
How are burn injuries categorized?
Stanford Health Care categorizes burns as follows:
- First-degree burns: These burns only affect the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). Mild sunburn is a common example. They generally resolve with minimal medical care.
- Second-degree burns: These burns involve “the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin.” Symptoms include skin that is blistered, red, swollen, and painful.
- Third-degree burns: “Third-degree burns destroy the epidermis and dermis. Third-degree burns may also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. The burn site appears white or charred. There is no sensation in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.”
How do medical burns occur in Seattle?
At Smith McBroom, our medical malpractice lawyers have the experience and professional relationships to determine how burns occur, why they are preventable, and who is responsible.
Some of the causes of medical burn injuries include:
- Surgical fires: Surgeries involve a combination of different fuels, oxidizers, and ignition sources. The wrong combination can cause a fire. Surgical teams should anticipate the possibility of a surgical fan and have plans in place to quickly respond.
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), about 550 to 650 surgical fires occur yearly. The NCBI states that:
Because surgical fires are preventable, surgeons are a necessary component in that prevention. Many recommendations have been put forth by the Food and Drug Administration, in conjunction with The Joint Commission, to assist in the prevention of surgical fires. Prevention can be broken down into two categories, preoperative and intraoperative strategies.
Surg Journal states that surgical fires are more likely to happen during upper aerodigestive tract surgeries and head and neck surgeries compared with abdomen and pelvis procedures.
- MRI burns: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test can cause thermal burns. It’s critical that the patient wear “suitable magnetic resonance imaging-compatible clothing before undergoing magnetic resonance imaging.” In one example, a patient’s jogging pants caused burns due to the metal fibers in the pants.
- Laser burns: Lasers allow surgeons and physicians to perform precise procedures including cosmetic procedures. Lasers can also cause burns when the patient absorbs the heat from the laser. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH):
- Burns can result from long pulse durations, excessive fluence (the amount of energy delivered over the targeted area), and improper delivery of cooling. The risk of burns is higher for lasers that use a continuous beam rather than a pulsed or fractionated one. Newer devices decrease complication risks by pulsing the beam in the millisecond to nanosecond range, using multiple rapid bursts in a quasi-continuous manner, or using extremely short pulses with high powers to permit adequate thermal relaxation.
What types of treatments do medical burn injuries need?
The treatments for medical burn injuries vary depending on the type of burn and the severity of the burn. Treatments for burns may include breathing assistance, feeding tubes, surgery, skin grafts, and plastic surgery. Patients may require multiple surgeries. Other treatments may include ointments, pain medications, therapy, and psychological counseling.
The healthcare providers may include general surgeons, plastic surgeons, internists, infectious disease specialists, orthopedists, and many other therapists.
Who is responsible for a medical burn injury in Seattle?
The healthcare providers who may be responsible for medical burn injuries include:
- Surgeons, oncologists, and other types of physicians.
- X-ray and MRI technicians.
- Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.
The manufacturers of lasers, surgical equipment that involves fuels and oxidizers, MRI devices, and any other medical device that can cause burn injuries may also be liable to patients for any burns.
How much is my medical burn injury claim worth?
At Smith McBroom, we work with independent doctors to show that your medical care providers were negligent. We also work with doctors who have experience treating burn injuries. Our Seattle medical burn injury lawyers claim compensation for all your current and future:
- Medical expenses including surgeries, hospital care, doctor visits, skin grafts, plastic surgery, physical therapy and other types of rehabilitative therapy, medications, and all other medical expenses.
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Scarring and disfigurement including psychological care.
- Loss of income and benefits because your burn injuries prevent you from working.
- Loss of consortium.
- Loss of bodily function.
- Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures.
Do you have a Seattle medical burn injury lawyer near me?
Smith McBroom meets clients at our Seattle office at 16400 Southcenter Parkway Suite 210. If you’re too injured to come to our office, we make arrangements to see you at your home and healthcare facilities. We also discuss cases by phone and through online consultations.
We’ll help you assert your rights when healthcare providers cause you preventable harm.
Get help from our respected Seattle medical burn injury lawyers now
We understand how upset you are. Most medical burn injuries are preventable. Coping with burn injuries can be extremely upsetting especially if the burns are visible. At Smith McBroom, we have the experience and record of success to take on the insurance companies and defense lawyers for doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. Please call our Seattle burn injury lawyers now or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We represent burn injury victims in Tukwila, Seattle, and across Washington state.