Burn Injury Lawyers in Yonkers, NY

Common Causes of Burn Injuries We Handle in Yonkers

At Tomkiel & Tomkiel, we've helped many Yonkers residents recover money damages for burn injuries caused in different circumstances. Each case is unique, but our experience allows us to thoroughly investigate and build strong claims regardless of how the injury occurred.

Building and Apartment Fires

Many of our clients have suffered burns in residential fires. Whether caused by faulty wiring, defective smoke detectors, or negligent maintenance, property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe living conditions. We investigate building code violations, maintenance records, lack of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and fire inspection histories to hold negligent parties accountable.

Car Accidents

Car accidents can lead to severe burns, whether from direct flames, hot surfaces, or chemical exposure. We investigate these cases thoroughly, examining vehicle defects, fuel system integrity, and accident circumstances to identify all liable parties.

Workplace Burns

Industrial settings present numerous burn hazards. We've represented workers injured by hot machinery, chemical splashes, electrical accidents, and steam burns. While workers' compensation provides some benefits, you may be entitled to additional money if third-party negligence, such as equipment manufacturers or maintenance contractors, contributed to your injury.

Chemical Exposure

Chemical burns can occur in various settings — from industrial accidents to household product incidents. We've handled cases involving cleaning products, industrial chemicals, and hazardous materials. These cases often involve complex liability issues, requiring a thorough investigation of safety protocols, warning labels, and handling procedures.

Kitchen and Restaurant Accidents

Commercial kitchens present significant burn risks. We've represented workers and customers injured by hot oil splashes, scalding liquids, and malfunctioning equipment. Restaurant owners and operators must maintain safe conditions and proper safety protocols to protect both employees and patrons.

Scalding Accidents

Hot water and steam burns often occur due to faulty plumbing, defective water heaters, or inadequate safety measures. These injuries are widespread in residential settings and can be especially severe for children and elderly individuals. We work to hold property owners and maintenance companies accountable for these preventable injuries.

Electrical Burns

Faulty wiring, exposed electrical components, and power line incidents can cause devastating electrical burns. These cases often involve multiple liable parties, from property owners to utility companies and electrical contractors. We carefully examine maintenance records, safety violations, and industry standards to build strong cases.

Medical Treatment Burns

Burns that occur during medical treatment, whether from radiation therapy, heating pads, or other medical equipment, require advanced legal knowledge. We work with medical experts to determine whether negligence or equipment malfunction contributed to your injury.

Focus on Your Recovery While We Handle the Legal Fight

At Tomkiel & Tomkiel, we understand that dealing with a burn injury brings enough stress and financial pressure. The last thing you need is the added worry of how to afford 5-star legal representation. That's why we've structured our services to remove this burden entirely from your shoulders.

Here's what this means for you:

• No upfront costs to get started
• No hourly billing or hidden fees
• No payment unless we win money for you
• Free initial consultation to discuss your case and get started

During your free consultation, we'll explain our fee structure clearly and answer any questions you have so you can make an informed decision without any financial pressure. Our success is directly tied to yours.

You Deserve Compensation for Your Injuries

Remember, no matter how your burn injury occurred, you may be entitled to compensation if someone's negligence played a role. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss the specific circumstances of your case and learn how we can help you pursue justice.

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Understanding Burn Injury Types and Their Impact

Over four decades of helping Yonkers families, we've learned that each burn injury tells a unique story. Understanding the severity of your burn is crucial for your recovery journey and legal claim.

Types of Burn Severity

As burn injury lawyers serving Yonkers families for over four decades, we've seen how different types of burns can impact lives in vastly different ways. Let us help you understand the severity of your injury and what it means for your legal claim.

• First-degree burns: These affect only the outer skin layer, causing redness and pain. While they typically heal within days, if someone's negligence caused your injury, you may still deserve compensation for your suffering.
• Second-degree burns: Going deeper into the skin, these burns cause intense pain and blistering. Recovery often takes weeks or months, requiring ongoing medical care and leaving potential scars.
• Third-degree burns: These severe burns destroy all skin layers and reach underlying tissues. Due to nerve damage, they sometimes feel less painful, but they require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts and long-term rehabilitation.
• Fourth-degree burns: The most severe type, reaching muscles and bone. These life-threatening injuries need immediate emergency care and often result in permanent changes to your life.

The Significant Impact of Burn Injuries on Your Life

A burn injury impacts every aspect of your life — we've seen this firsthand with our clients. Beyond the physical pain, you might also face:

• Physical challenges: Your body needs time and proper care to heal. Infection risks, painful skin tightening, and ongoing medical needs become part of daily life. We'll fight to ensure you have access to the best medical care available.
• Emotional recovery: The emotional journey can be just as challenging as physical healing. Many of our clients experience anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Your compensation should cover both physical and mental health support.
• Daily life adjustments: You might need to:
  • Take time off work to focus on healing
  • Adapt your home to new needs
  • Learn different ways to do everyday tasks
  • Accept help from family or caregivers

At Tomkiel & Tomkiel, our exceptional burn injury lawyers understand these challenges intimately based on decades of personal injury litigation experience. We're here to win you the most money possible so you can focus on what matters most — your recovery.

What to Do After a Burn Injury: Your First Steps Toward Compensation

Don't lose hope! While the road ahead may seem stressful, and it's difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel, you're not alone. Our team is here to support you every step of the way, fighting for the compensation you need while you focus on your recovery.

Seek Immediate Medical Care

First and foremost, seek immediate medical attention — even if the burn seems minor. Burns can be deceptive, with damage continuing to develop hours after the initial injury. Some of our clients initially thought their burns weren't serious enough to seek medical care, only to discover later that the injury was much more severe than it appeared. Don't try to tough it out; let medical professionals assess your injury immediately.

Document Everything You Can

While your health is the top priority, document everything you can about the incident. Take photos of your injuries and the scene where the burn occurred. Save any items that might have contributed to the burn, like faulty equipment or products. If there were witnesses, ask for their contact information. Even small details can make a significant difference in your case later.

Keep a Recovery Journal

Save all medical records and receipts, and document how the injury affects your daily life. Write down your memories of the incident as soon as you can — trauma can make memories fade quickly. If you cannot do this yourself, ask a family member to help.

Avoid Insurance Company Traps

Don't speak with insurance companies or sign any documents before talking to us. Insurance adjusters may seem friendly, but their goal is to pay you as little money as possible. We've seen many cases where early statements to insurance companies were used to reduce legitimate and significant injuries. Let us handle these communications while you focus on healing.

Contact Our Legal Team

Contact our burn injury lawyers in Yonker, NY, as soon as possible. The sooner we can start investigating your case, the better we can protect your rights and build a strong claim. We'll visit you in the hospital or at home if you can't come to our office. Remember, your initial consultation is free, and we're here to help you understand your options without any pressure.

Available Types of Compensation for Your Burn Injury

At Tomkiel & Tomkiel, we understand that a burn injury affects every aspect of your life. That's why we fight tirelessly to secure compensation that truly reflects the full scope of your losses and supports your long-term recovery needs.

Medical Care and Recovery Costs

Your compensation should cover all aspects — from emergency treatment and hospital stays to ongoing rehabilitation. We work to ensure coverage for:

• Current and future medical treatments
• Surgical procedures and skin grafts
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Prescription medications
• Mental health counseling
• Long-term care needs

Lost Income and Career Impact

A severe burn injury often affects your ability to work, both temporarily and long-term. We fight for compensation that accounts for the following:

• Wages lost during recovery
• Reduced earning capacity in the future
• Lost employment benefits
• Career retraining, if needed
• Business opportunities missed

Pain and Suffering

The physical and emotional toll of a burn injury deserves recognition. We pursue compensation for the following:

• Physical pain, discomfort, and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Changes in your quality of life
• Loss of consortium damages for the impact on your spouse
• Mental anguish and distress

In cases of extreme negligence, we may also seek punitive damages to hold wrongdoers accountable and prevent similar incidents from happening to others.

Time Limits for Filing Your Burn Injury Claim in Yonkers

Understanding the legal deadlines for your burn injury claim is crucial. Here are the specific timeframes you need to know:

• Standard personal injury claims: For most burn injury cases in Yonkers, you have three years from the date of the accident to file your lawsuit. While this might seem like plenty of time, building a strong case requires immediate investigation and securing evidence.
• Claims against government entities: If your burn injury involved a government entity — such as a public building or municipal worker — you must file a Notice of Claim within 90 days of the incident. After filing this notice, you have one year and 90 days to file your lawsuit.
• Medical malpractice: If your burn injury resulted from medical treatment, such as radiation therapy or the use of lasers, you generally have 2.5 years (30 months) from the date of injury to file your claim.
• Wrongful death: In tragic cases where a burn injury results in death, the family has two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Some situations may affect your filing deadline:

• Injuries to minors: When a child suffers a burn injury, the three-year statute of limitations doesn't begin to run until their 18th birthday.
• Discovery rule: In some cases where the injury or its cause wasn't immediately apparent, the time limit may begin from when you discovered (or reasonably should have discovered) the injury.

The most important point to take from this is not to wait to take action. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights and build a compelling case for compensation. Let our experienced burn injury lawyers in Yonkers evaluate your case through a free consultation and help you understand all your legal options.