Books & Resources
For more information on burns, the following resources are available:
Medical errors occur when a planned action fails to be completed as intended or a medical care provider uses the wrong plan to achieve a goal. Although burns do not carry the same serious and devastating connotation as brain damage or spinal cord injuries, burns can be just as devastating causing lasting pain, infections, disability, and requiring extensive medical care.
Among serious injuries, burns can take a significant physical, psychological, and financial toll on a victim and his or her family. Burn care can be extremely expensive, often requiring lengthy hospital stays and treatment from an array of specialists. Following acute care, burn victims often require extensive plastic surgery and rehabilitation. Scarring cannot always be addressed with plastic surgery, therefore victims are often not satisfied with their results.
Burns can occur in a variety of situations, but they are particularly upsetting when they occur in a medical setting as a result of a health care provider’s mistake, because generally these type of burn injuries are largely preventable. As medicine continues to advance, many devices being used in medical settings are electric. Although medical professionals do truly amazing things to save and improve lives, the evolving technology has the capacity to seriously injure or kill an individual if the device malfunctions or is used improperly.
In addition to user error, common causes of burns resulting from medical mistakes include:
-Surgical microscope-induced burns
-Risk of burns during MRI scans if patient is wearing a transdermal drug patch with a metallic backing
-Poorly maintained electric dental hand pieces
-Rotary surgical hand pieces overheating during surgery
-Radiation treatment mistake for cancer therapy
-Flash fire during surgical procedures
Burn injuries can have lasting effects on individuals and families. If you or someone you love has been a victim of a burn injury and you suspect medical negligence, schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced medical malpractice attorneys to see if you are eligible for compensation.