Burn injuries can change your life in an instant. Whether you suffered a thermal burn from a fire, a chemical burn from a hazardous substance, or an electrical burn from faulty equipment, the physical pain and emotional trauma are overwhelming. Medical bills pile up quickly. You may miss work for weeks or months. Scarring and disfigurement can affect how you feel about yourself.
If someone else’s negligence caused your burn injury, you have the right to pursue compensation. Abel Law Firm represents burn injury victims throughout Tulsa and Oklahoma. Our experienced attorneys understand what you’re going through, and we’re ready to fight for the money you deserve. We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Why Choose Abel Law Firm for Your Burn Injury Claim
When you’re dealing with a serious burn injury, you need a law firm with the experience and resources to handle your case properly. Abel Law Firm has been helping injured Oklahomans recover compensation for over 50 years. Our team has recovered more than $550 million for our clients in personal injury cases, including catastrophic injuries like burns. Our attorneys hold multiple Super Lawyer designations and recognition from Best Lawyers in America. We maintain a 5.0 rating on Google with over 220 client reviews. The Journal Record Reader Rankings voted us Oklahoma’s Best Personal Injury Law Firm for three consecutive years.
What sets us apart is our commitment to our clients and our track record of results. Our Tulsa office is located at 5525 E 51st St, Suite 540. We’re available 24/7 because emergencies don’t happen during business hours. Every case is handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us anything upfront. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you. Our team includes:
- Attorneys with Super Lawyer designations and Best Lawyers in America recognition
- Trial lawyers with decades of experience handling catastrophic injury cases
- A proven track record of landmark verdicts and settlements
Understanding Burn Injuries and Liability
Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries come in several forms, and each type requires different medical treatment and legal considerations. Thermal burns occur when your skin contacts fire, hot liquids, steam, or hot surfaces. These are the most common types of burn injury. Chemical burns happen when your skin touches corrosive substances like acids or bases. Unlike thermal burns, chemical agents often continue destroying tissue until they are fully neutralized—a process that can take hours. Immediate and prolonged irrigation is critical to stopping this deep tissue damage. Electrical burns occur when electricity passes through your body, damaging skin and internal organs. Radiation burns result from exposure to radiation sources, including sunburns from prolonged sun exposure and burns from radiation therapy gone wrong.
How Negligence Causes Burn Injuries
Burn injuries often result from someone else’s carelessness or failure to follow safety rules. Workplace accidents cause many burn injuries, especially in construction, manufacturing, and oil field work. Defective products can cause burns when they malfunction or lack proper safety features. Premises liability cases involve burns that happen on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions. Vehicle accidents can cause fires that result in severe burns. Property owners who fail to maintain fire safety equipment or allow hazardous conditions to exist can be held liable for burn injuries that occur on their property.
Burn Injury Severity and Long-Term Impact
Doctors classify burns by degree, which indicates how deep the burn penetrates your skin. First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin. Your skin turns red and may be painful, but these burns usually heal without scarring. Second-degree burns damage the outer layer and the layer beneath it. These burns cause blistering, severe pain, and often leave scars. Third-degree burns destroy all layers of skin and may damage muscle and bone underneath. These severe burns require immediate medical attention and often need skin grafts and extensive rehabilitation.
The impact of a serious burn injury extends far beyond the initial injury. Permanent scarring and disfigurement can affect your appearance and self-confidence. Infection is a serious risk with burn injuries, and some infections can become life-threatening. Psychological trauma from the injury and its aftermath is common. Many burn survivors experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. You may need ongoing medical treatment for years, including wound care, physical therapy, and reconstructive surgery. Lost wages add up quickly when you can’t work during recovery. Some burn victims never fully return to their previous level of function, affecting their earning capacity for life.
Compensation Available for Burn Injury Victims
If someone else’s negligence caused your burn injury, you can pursue compensation for your losses. Medical expenses include emergency room treatment, hospital stays, surgery, skin grafts, wound care, physical therapy, and ongoing medical treatment. Lost wages cover the income you lost while recovering from your injury. If your burn injury prevents you from returning to your previous job, you can recover compensation for lost earning capacity. Pain and suffering damages compensate you for the physical pain and emotional distress you experienced. Disfigurement and scarring damages recognize the permanent changes to your appearance and the impact on your quality of life. Emotional distress damages cover anxiety, depression, and other psychological effects of your injury.
The amount of compensation depends on Oklahoma’s Modified Comparative Negligence rule. You can recover damages as long as your share of the fault is less than 50%. However, if a jury finds you 50% or more responsible, you are barred from receiving any compensation. We investigate thoroughly to ensure liability is correctly assigned to the at-fault party. Our attorneys work with medical experts to calculate the true value of your case. We ensure you understand what your claim is worth before making any decisions.
How Abel Law Firm Handles Burn Injury Cases
When you hire Abel Law Firm to represent you, we take a comprehensive approach to your case. First, we begin with a thorough investigation, gathering evidence like photographs of your injuries, medical records, witness statements, and expert reports. Then, we work with burn specialists and other medical experts to document the extent of your injuries and their long-term impact on your life.
Our firm then handles all communication with insurance companies and opposing counsel, protecting your rights throughout the process. We negotiate aggressively to reach a fair settlement, but we’re always prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. Though we understand that burn injury cases are complex and often involve significant damages, we have the resources and experience to handle even the most challenging cases. Throughout your case, we keep you informed and involved in every decision. We treat you with compassion and respect, recognizing the difficult journey you’re on.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries
How much is my burn injury case worth?
The value of your personal injury case depends on several factors, like how severe your injuries are, the cost of your medical bills, the wages you’ve lost, and any other damages you’ve experienced. A burn injury lawyer can take a closer look at your situation and give you an idea of what your case might be worth.
What should I do after a burn injury?
If you’ve been badly burned, your priority should be getting immediate medical attention. If possible, ask a family member or friend to take photos of your injuries to document them. Be sure to keep all records of your medical treatment, bills, and any other related expenses. Once you’re stable, contact a burn injury lawyer to discuss your options and begin building your case.
Can I file a lawsuit if the injury happened at work?
Yes, but workplace injuries usually fall under workers’ compensation claims. In some cases, though, you might also have a personal injury claim against a third party, depending on the situation.
How long does it take to resolve a burn injury lawsuit?
The timeline depends on your case. Some cases settle in just a few months, while others might go to court and take a year or longer. Your attorney can give you a better idea of what to expect based on the specifics of your situation.
Can I file a lawsuit on behalf of a loved one who died from a burn injury?
Yes, Oklahoma allows wrongful death claims when negligence leads to a fatal injury. Our attorneys are here to direct you through the process and give you the support you need.
What should I do immediately after a burn injury?
If you suffer a burn injury, your first priority is getting medical attention. Call 911 if the burn is severe or covers a large area. For minor burns, cool the area with running water for 10-20 minutes. Remove any jewelry or tight clothing before swelling occurs. Don’t apply ice directly to the burn. Cover the burn with a clean, dry cloth. Take over-the-counter pain medication if needed. Seek medical attention even for burns that seem minor, as complications can develop.
If someone else caused your burn injury, document everything. Take photographs of the scene, your injuries, and any hazardous conditions. Get contact information from witnesses. Report the incident to the property owner or employer. Keep all medical records and receipts related to your treatment. Understanding your legal rights after an injury is critical to protecting your claim.
How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma law gives you two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, you lose your right to pursue compensation. However, there are strict exceptions. If you were a minor when injured, the clock is paused until you turn 18. Under Oklahoma law (12 O.S. § 96), you then have exactly one year—until your 19th birthday—to file a lawsuit. If you miss this 19th birthday deadline, you are likely barred from recovery forever. (Note: We recommend filing well before this deadline to preserve evidence. Don’t wait to contact an attorney. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can begin investigating your case and protecting your rights.
What is the statute of limitations for burn injury claims?
As mentioned above, Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including burn injuries, is two years. This means you have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit in court. Insurance claims may have different deadlines, so it’s important to notify your insurance company as soon as possible. If you’re considering a claim, contact Abel Law Firm right away. We can explain your options and make sure you meet all important deadlines.
How much is my burn injury case worth?
The value of your burn injury case depends on many factors. Severe burns that require hospitalization and skin grafts are worth more than minor burns. Permanent scarring and disfigurement increase the value of your case. Your age and earning capacity matter because younger people with higher incomes have greater lost earning potential. The strength of evidence showing negligence affects how much an insurance company will offer to settle. We evaluate all these factors when calculating the value of your case. During your free consultation, we can give you an estimate of what your case might be worth based on similar cases we’ve handled.
Do I need an attorney for a burn injury claim?
While you have the right to handle your own claim, hiring an experienced attorney gives you significant advantages. Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize what they pay you. An attorney levels the playing field. We know how insurance companies evaluate claims and what tactics they use to reduce settlements. We can negotiate more effectively on your behalf and understand the medical and legal complexities of burn injury cases. Also, we know what evidence is needed to prove negligence and damages. We can connect you with medical experts who can testify about your injuries. Most importantly, we work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay us unless we win your case.
Can I recover compensation for scarring and disfigurement?
Yes, Oklahoma law allows you to recover compensation for scarring and disfigurement caused by someone else’s negligence. These damages recognize the permanent changes to your appearance and the emotional impact of living with visible scars. The amount of compensation depends on the location and extent of the scarring, your age and gender, and how the scarring affects your daily life and relationships. Facial scars typically result in higher compensation than scars on areas usually covered by clothing. We work with medical experts and sometimes with life care planners to document the impact of scarring on your quality of life and calculate appropriate compensation.
Contact Abel Law Firm for Your Free Burn Injury Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to get legal help. Abel Law Firm offers free consultations with experienced burn injury attorneys. We’ll listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. There’s no obligation, and you won’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.
Call (918) 777-7046 today to schedule your free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to take your call. You can also reach us at our Tulsa office located at 5525 E 51st St, Suite 540, Tulsa, OK 74135. Let us help you get the compensation you deserve and move forward with your recovery.
