Miami Burn Injury Lawyer

A burn injury can alter your life in an instant. The pain is excruciating, the recovery is long, and the emotional toll is immeasurable. Whether it’s from a house fire, scalding water, a defective product, or exposure to chemicals, burn injuries often result from someone else’s carelessness or negligence.

If you or a loved one is facing this difficult reality, you don’t have to go through it alone. At Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA, we know how devastating burn injuries can be, and we’re here to help. From holding negligent parties accountable to fighting for the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional suffering, we’ll stand by your side every step of the way.

Burn injuries aren’t just accidents—they’re life-changing events that deserve justice. Call us today at (305) 694-2676 for a free consultation, and let us help you take the first step toward rebuilding your life.

Why Burn Injuries Are So Devastating

Burn injuries affect much more than just the skin. They can damage muscles, nerves, and even bones, leaving victims with lifelong physical and emotional scars. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported approximately 398,000 fire or burn-related injuries, alongside 252,000 injuries related to hot objects or substances. Of these, 795 resulted in inpatient deaths. 

While advancements in burn care have led to an improved survival rate, the suffering is immense. In 2022, 9,733 burn injury cases required intensive care unit (ICU) admission, collectively utilizing over 100,000 ICU days. The estimated cost for intensive care alone exceeded $600 million USD that year. 

These numbers only tell part of the story. Behind every statistic is a person whose life has been forever changed by the pain, disfigurement, and emotional trauma that burns often bring.

If you’ve suffered a burn injury due to another party’s negligence, you should receive compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering. You shouldn’t have to endure more than you’re already going through. But getting the money you need can be overwhelming, especially while you’re trying to heal. That’s where we come in.

Types of Burn Injuries

Call us today at (305) 694-2676 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. Hablamos español.

Burn injuries vary in severity, each requiring different levels of care and recovery:

• First-Degree Burns: Affect only the outer skin layer, causing redness and pain. These burns typically heal within a week without scarring.
• Second-Degree Burns: Damage deeper skin layers, leading to blisters, pain, and potential scarring. Healing may take weeks and often requires specialized wound care.
• Third-Degree Burns: Penetrate all skin layers, causing nerve damage and leaving areas numb or charred. Treatment usually involves skin grafts and reconstructive surgery.
• Fourth-Degree Burns: Extend into muscles, tendons, or bones, often requiring amputation. These life-threatening injuries demand extensive medical care and rehabilitation.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Miami

Burn injuries can happen anywhere, from your own home to your workplace. Understanding the common causes of these injuries can help you identify if someone else’s negligence contributed to your accident.

Water Heaters

When water temperatures suddenly spike, a soothing shower can turn into a nightmare. Property owners, landlords, and homeowners must ensure that water heaters are set to safe temperatures. When they fail in this duty, tenants and guests can suffer serious scalding injuries.

Hot Beverages

Hot beverages served at dangerously high temperatures can cause severe burns. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, beverages should not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit when served to customers. However, many coffee shops and restaurants ignore these guidelines, putting their patrons at risk of painful injuries.

Defective Products

Exploding batteries, faulty electrical devices, and other defective products can cause catastrophic burns. Manufacturers are required to ensure the safety of their products, but when they fail, the consequences can be devastating. Examples include:

• Exploding lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices.
• Malfunctioning steam pipes or radiators.
• Faulty appliances or kitchen equipment.

Chemical Exposure

Chemical burns are common in workplaces like construction sites and factories. Exposure to harsh chemicals can lead to permanent scarring, disfigurement, and other complications. Employers and manufacturers must take precautions to protect workers and consumers from these dangerous substances.

Residential Fires

House fires are a leading cause of burn injuries and deaths in the U.S. Faulty wiring, defective gas lines, and other safety hazards can spark devastating fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, over 350,000 house fires occur annually, leading to thousands of injuries and fatalities.

If any of these scenarios sound familiar, it’s time to explore your legal options.

The McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case & Burn Injury Negligence

One of the most well-known examples of negligence leading to a burn injury is the McDonald’s hot coffee case. In 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, suffered third-degree burns when a cup of McDonald’s coffee spilled on her lap. The coffee had been served at a dangerously high temperature—between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit—far hotter than what is considered safe for consumption. This extreme heat caused severe burns that required skin grafts and extensive medical treatment. 

Evidence revealed that McDonald’s was aware of the risk, as they had received over 700 prior complaints about burns from their coffee but failed to lower the serving temperature. This case highlighted how businesses have a duty to protect consumers by taking reasonable precautions. When they breach this duty, as McDonald’s did, they can be held legally accountable for the injuries their negligence causes.

In this popular case, McDonald’s was held accountable, and Stella Liebeck won her case. The jury also awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages to punish McDonald’s for its negligence and deter similar behavior.

Long-Term Effects of a Burn Injury

Get started with your complimentary case evaluation today; call us at (305) 694-2676 or reach us online using our secure contact form.

The long-term effects of a burn injury often require extensive and expensive medical care, sometimes for the rest of a victim’s life. For severe burns, treatments like skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries are common. These procedures aim to repair damaged skin, restore mobility, and improve appearance, but they can cost tens of thousands of dollars per surgery—and most patients need multiple operations. In cases where burns cause the loss of a limb, prosthetics may be necessary. High-quality prosthetics can cost between $5,000 and $50,000, and they need to be replaced every few years.

Burn injuries that result in disfigurement or visible scars often require specialized therapy, including laser treatments, to reduce scarring, which can cost thousands of dollars per session. Victims may also need psychological counseling or therapy to address the emotional toll of their injury, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

For those with burns that limit movement, physical therapy is essential to regain as much function as possible, which can add another significant expense over months or years of rehabilitation.

On top of these medical costs, victims must also contend with loss of income if they are unable to work during recovery or if their injuries permanently limit their ability to perform their jobs. They may need to make costly modifications to their home, such as installing ramps, grab bars, or other accommodations for mobility challenges. These combined expenses can easily reach hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars over a lifetime. Getting adequate compensation is critical to helping burn injury victims rebuild their lives and access the care they need.

Your Legal Rights After a Burn Injury in Miami

In Florida, victims of burn injuries caused by negligence have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. But what does that process involve?

Proving Negligence

To successfully file a lawsuit, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. This involves demonstrating:

1. Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal obligation to act responsibly.
2. Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to uphold that duty.
3. Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injuries.
4. Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result.

Compensation You May Be Entitled To

If your claim is successful, you could receive compensation for:

• Current and future medical expenses.
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity.
• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress.
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs.

In cases of extreme negligence, you may also be awarded punitive damages to punish the responsible party and deter similar actions in the future.

Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Burn Injury Claims

Time is of the essence when filing a personal injury claim. Florida law gives burn injury victims two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to pursue compensation.

Don’t wait—contact our Miami burn injury legal team today to ensure your claim is filed on time.

What If I am Partly To Blame For My Burn Injury?

If you believe you were partly responsible for your burn injury, you may still be eligible for compensation under Florida’s comparative negligence law. This rule allows you to recover damages even if you share some responsibility for the incident, but your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

For example, if you are awarded $100,000 in damages but are 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced to $80,000. This system ensures that victims can still receive support for their injuries, even if their actions contributed to the accident.

Determining fault can be complex, and insurance companies may try to place more blame on you to minimize their payout. That’s why it’s essential to have an experienced burn injury lawyer on your side. Your attorney will investigate the circumstances of your case, gather evidence, and fight to ensure the fault is assigned fairly so you can recover the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA?

At Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA, we focus on one thing: advocating for injury victims and their families. We understand that burn injuries are not just physically devastating—they can upend every aspect of your life. That’s why we take a compassionate yet aggressive approach to every case we handle.

We take the time to understand your unique situation and needs, and our track record of success speaks for itself. When you hire our law firm, you don’t pay unless we win your case. This means you have nothing to lose by coming in for a free consultation! 

For a free, confidential consultation, call us today at (305) 694-2676 or contact us online. Don’t wait—time is limited, and your health and future matter.