Burn Injuries

An estimated 500,000 people in the United States each year require medical assistance for burns with 4,000 fatalities occurring as a result of fire and burns.* The impact of a burn injury is severe in the physical pain caused as well as the ensuing emotional and mental anguish.

If you or a loved one has been burned through the negligence of another person or entity, call Kearns Rotolo Law to discuss your legal rights. Anthony Kearns, Victor Rotolo, along with their team of attorneys have the experience to advocate for your rights.

Victor A. Rotolo has been a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum since June 2002 and in 2016 became a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The Million Dollar Advocates Forum members are attorneys who have won verdicts and settlements in the amount of one million dollars and above. Members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum have won multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

Victor A. Rotolo has been included on the List of New Jersey Super Lawyers in the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 marking his nineteenth year of inclusion on this list. The list of New Jersey Super Lawyers is generated by the Thomson Reuters organization which employs the following methodology and set of standards to compile the list each year. Super Lawyers Selection Methodology [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

Victor A. Rotolo is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney.

"A certified attorney is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. A New Jersey attorney who is certified by the Supreme Court as a civil trial attorney must have:

• been a member in good standing of the New Jersey bar for over 5 years
• demonstrated a substantial level of experience in civil trial law
• been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with his or her work
• taken and passed a written examination in civil trial law."

Source: Supreme Court of New Jersey, Board on Attorney Certification, Brochure on Certified Civil Trial Attorney. See Rule 1:39: Specialty Certification of Attorneys.

Burn injuries severely affect the body’s functioning and can also damage a person’s appearance through scarring and deformity. Burn injuries also often cause devastating mental and psychological scars. The victim of a burn injury may suffer significant monetary losses due to extensive medical bills, wage losses, and economic losses. Damages may include future losses and compensation for permanent injuries.

The severity of a burn injury depends on which layers of the skin was destroyed or damaged. When only the first layer of skin is burned it is called a first-degree burn. A second degree burn is when both the first and second layers of skin are burned. A third-degree burn, which is the most serious burn, occurs when all layers of skin and underlying tissue are damaged. Common causes of burns include:

• Defective products: If a manufacturer creates a defective product and the defective product results in a fire, the manufacturer can be held responsible for injuries sustained.

  The consumer products most commonly associated with fires include:

  • Wood and coal burning stoves and fireplaces
  • Kerosene heaters
  • Gas-fired space heaters
  • Portable electric heaters
  • Cooking equipment
  • Matches and lighters
  • Upholstered furniture
  • Mattresses and bedding
  • Clothing
  • Flammable liquids

• Maintenance of premises: If a property owner is negligent in the maintenance of the premises and that negligence results in a fire, that party can be held responsible for injuries sustained.

In burn cases, due to the fact that burns are among the most expensive and traumatic injuries to treat, significant jury awards and settlements are often awarded. A burn victim may need multiple surgeries including reconstructive surgery to repair disfigurement and scarring; skin grafts, which is a process to take healthy skin to replace the damaged skin; skin replacement, a temporary alternative to skin graft; and physical therapy. Damage awards consider medical costs, but can also consider pain and suffering, impact to lifestyle, and loss of potential earnings.

The level of compensation depends not only on the type of injury and the impact on the victim, but also on the level of damages and proof that the accident was caused by the negligence of others.

A burn injury case often presents a complicated case that requires legal representation. Kearns Rotolo Law is experienced in handling complex personal injury cases; we urge you to contact us so that we can help you determine your rights and work with you to recover compensation for your injuries.

YOU DO NOT PAY ANY ATTORNEY FEES UNLESS WE WIN YOUR CASE.

Attorneys' fees are only collected if your case is resolved successfully on your behalf. These fees are referred to as "contingency fees" because the fees are dependent (i.e., contingent) upon the success of your case.

If you cannot come to our offices, we will meet you where it is convenient.

* Source: The American Burn Association, http://ameriburn.org/resources_factsheet.php?PHPSESSID=72c60a156e8e3c429385b61f6018ec94

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