Emotional Effects of Burn Injuries

Burns can occur in many different ways, including electrocutions, fires, explosions, scalds, and more. Victims of serious burns often face a long road to recovery that can include painful skin grafts,¹ surgeries, extended stays in burn centers, among any other recommended treatments. Overall, the medical expenses of burn treatment, as well as the physical pain and suffering of a victim, can be extensive. If you were burned due to the negligence of another person or party, an experienced injury lawyer in Los Angeles can help you recover for your losses.

In addition to the physical effects of serious burns, victims often experience significant emotional effects, as well. Some examples of the emotional issues that may result from burns include:

Emotional effects of pain – Ongoing and severe pain can quickly wear on a person's psyche and cause many emotional problems. Even burn victims who take narcotic painkillers can experience serious emotional effects from the effects of the medication. Therapy is often needed to help victims cope with their chronic pain.

Emotional anxieties due to scars or disfigurement – Even with skin grafts and other procedures, many burn victims are left with substantial visible scarring or disfigurement. Their new appearance may cause a burn victim to suffer from depression and social anxiety of how others will react to their scars. Some burn victims may withdraw from social situations or previously enjoyed activities due to their anxiety and anti-anxiety treatment and medication is often needed.

PTSD – Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)² stems from the event that caused the burn and not from the injury itself. Fires, explosions, car accidents, and other events that can result in burns can be traumatic and can cause depression, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, emotional issues, and other debilitating symptoms of PTSD. PTSD often limits a victim's ability to work or engage in social situations and requires substantial psychological treatment to recover.

All of the above emotional effects often require their own treatment separate from physical medical treatment. Burn victims deserve to recover for their emotional losses, as well, and a qualified Los Angeles injury lawyer can help you.

Steven M. Sweat, APC
5757 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450
Los Angeles, CA  90036
(323) 944-0993

http://www.victimslawyer.com/burn-injuries/

References: 

¹https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002982.htm

²http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml

Common Injuries In Personal Injury Cases

Every personal injury case is different depending on several different factors, including the nature and severity of the injuries sustained and the type of accident that occurred. It is important to have an injury lawyer in Los Angeles who understands how to handle a case with your unique circumstances. The following are some of the conditions that are commonly at issue in personal injury cases:

·         Spinal cord injuries (SCI)

·         Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)¹

·         Broken or fractured bones

·         Crushed limbs

·         Amputations

·         Burns

·         Internal organ damage

·         Internal bleeding

·         Lacerations

·         Contusions

·         Sprains and strains

·         Whiplash

·         Soft tissue injuries

·         Paralysis

·         Facial and jaw fractures

·         Coma

As you can imagine, many of the above injuries can have serious symptoms and effects and can require extensive and costly medical treatment. In addition to medical needs, some injuries can have long-lasting effects including the following:

·         Physical limitations that keep a victim from working or even walking again

·         Cognitive challenges that hinder success in educational, professional, or social pursuits

·         Scarring and disfigurement

·         Mental conditions and emotional trauma due to physical pain, disabilities, or disfigurements

All injury victims should not only fully recover for the cost of their hospitalization, surgical procedures, medical equipment, and other care, but also deserve to be adequately compensated for the long-term disabilities, disfigurements, and other effects on their lives.

What kinds of accidents cause these injuries?

The above injuries can arise from many different types of accidents that are often caused by the negligence of another party. If someone else was at fault in your accident, a Los Angeles injury lawyer can help you recover for all of your injury-related losses by filing a claim in California civil court. A qualified LA injury attorney can handle cases involving the following accidents:

·         Traffic-related accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, and pedestrians

·         Slips, trips, and falls²

·         Falls from heights

·         Injuries due to dangerous products

·         Dog bites

·         Fires or electrocutions

These are only some of the many different kinds of accident that can cause extremely serious personal injuries, and victims deserve to fully recover for their losses.

For further viewing, please watch the following video by Mr. Steven Sweat, a Los Angeles personal injury lawyer.

Steven M. Sweat, APC
5757 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 450
Los Angeles, CA  90036

References:

¹http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm

²http://www.nsc.org/NSCDocuments_Advocacy/Fact%20Sheets/Slips-Trips-and-Falls.pdf

Los Angeles Brain Injury Recovery Can Be Extensive

Every victim who suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI)¹ has a different recovery experience, many of which are extensive. The extent of recovery depends closely on the severity and nature of the damage to the brain tissue. For example, a relatively minor concussion may require a period of rest for several days or weeks before the victim can return to work and daily activities. On the other hand, a severe brain injury may require years of rehabilitative therapy and accommodations and a victim may still never return to their former selves. Some brain injury victims sustain permanent physical and/or cognitive impairments that may keep them from ever returning to work or even from going back to normal everyday life.

If a brain injury occurs because of the negligence of another party, victims have the legal right to recover for their losses from the responsible party. Anyone who suffers any type of injury in an accident should consult with a Los Angeles injury lawyer as soon as they can.

Victims can take months or years to recover

In June of 2014, well-known Los Angeles comedian and actor Tracy Morgan was riding in a limo with several colleagues when a large commercial tractor-trailer collided with their vehicle. One comic lost his life and Morgan was left with severe head trauma in addition to other injuries. At the Emmy Awards in LA on September 20, 2015, Morgan made his first public appearance² in 15 months since his injuries as his recovery has been tough. He was in a coma for over a week and stated that he only recently began to feel like his normal self again. Despite these comments, his recovery is still ongoing.

This Los Angeles actor's experience with TBI is only one example of the long road that may follow such an injury. Every brain injury victim will have different struggles and losses and it is important to discuss your situations with an experienced Los Angeles injury attorney. An injury lawyer will stand up for your rights to recovery and will help you obtain the compensation you deserve from any negligent parties.

References:

¹http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm

²http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/tv/ct-tracy-morgan-emmys-20150920-story.html