Maryland Burn Injury Lawyers Fighting for You
Advocating on behalf of burn victims throughout Maryland
Moderate burns can result in pain and tissue damage that can take anywhere from weeks to months to heal. Severe burns can cause permanent damage and chronic pain, often requiring extraordinary efforts by doctors and caretakers to ensure that the patient can lead a normal and pain-free life. Patients can experience burns from a fire, an explosion, toxic chemical exposure, or many other ways.
What matters is that if your injury was caused by negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. The skin is the body’s largest organ, and significant burns to the majority of the body will cause disruption to many systems in the body. A significant burn is a lifelong injury that can require lifelong care.
Experienced personal injury attorney
At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., our experienced burn injury lawyers understand just how serious burns can be and the medical attention they require. Our skilled team of Maryland catastrophic injury attorneys provides hope for a better future for Maryland burn patients, and we work tirelessly to pursue the compensation you need to care for your wounds and your family in the future.
Why choose Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., burn injury lawyers in Maryland?
Choosing the right attorney to represent you after a serious burn injury is an important decision. Who you choose can make a difference in your recovery – both physically and financially.
Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., has a strong reputation for delivering results-driven representation while maintaining a strong commitment to client care. We represent individuals, not corporations, and we treat our clients like family. Over the years, we’ve recovered over $500 million for injured clients. Their case results include substantial settlements and verdicts across a range of injury types – including cases involving severe burns caused by defective products and unsafe conditions.
With over 40 years of combined experience, our deep knowledge of burn injury cases, and our ability to stand up to large corporations and insurance companies means our clients get the support they need when they need it most. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we are committed to pursuing full and fair compensation for injured clients. Our legal team has won numerous awards, including The Daily Record’s Influential Marylanders List, Maryland Super Lawyers and Maryland Rising Stars. These honors reflect both legal skill and respect within the broader legal community.
Client reviews
"After my experience with Plaxen Adler Muncy, I have referred several people to the firm. The service they give is wonderful and their persistence with my case was a job well done." – Thaddeus Winkey
"I’ve been dealing with Plaxen Adler Muncy since 1997 and have referred 3 people to them over the years. They are a phenomenal company. They care! If they say they’re going to do something, they do it. You will always get an honest opinion and they will lead you in the right direction." – Aletha Meeks
"Mr. Plaxen had great advice for me on which steps I should take. He was always available to talk and had my best interest at heart. He is a very approachable person and seemed to care about me as a person, not just a case. I would absolutely recommend the firm to others." – Alan Ghandi
Case results
At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we’ve recovered significant compensation for our clients in a range of cases, including those that involve serious burn injuries. For example:
- $350,000: Our client suffered severe burns from a defective in-home sauna sold by a large retailer.
- $2,051,000: Our client suffered a leg injury requiring surgery after a head-on crash with an off-duty police officer.
- $2,000,000: Our client was an individual tased at a grocery store for wearing a mask during the pandemic.
- Represented several students who suffered chemical burns from an industrial solvent sprayed on their football pads.
- Represented victims of a gas explosion.
About Maryland burn injury lawsuits
Burn injury claims in Maryland are typically based on negligence, strict product liability, or premises liability. Generally, you have three years to file a case, although sometimes exceptions apply.
Most states follow a comparative negligence rule, which allows victims to recover partial damages even if they share some blame. Maryland does not. Because Maryland follows a strict contributory negligence rule, if a victim is found to be even partly responsible for their burn injury, they may not be able to recover damages. An experienced burn injury attorney can help build a strong case and advocate for the compensation you need.
What are the degrees of burns?
Few people haven’t accidentally burned themselves by touching a hot oven or by turning the tap too far to the left. You put some ice on the burn or run cold water over it, and the pain goes away. When a burn is serious, however, it can have long-term effects on your health. Burns are measured in degrees of severity:
First-degree
These are the least serious burns; the examples we listed earlier, like touching a hot surface or running the tap too hot, are good examples. A first-degree burn usually presents with redness or swelling, and medical treatment may not be necessary unless the burn encompasses a large part of the body.
Second-degree
Second-degree burns reach the second layer of your skin and are painful. Most second-degree burns cause blisters, and if they cover a large enough area, they require medical attention. There could be scarring, which may or may not be permanent. According to the Mayo Clinic, the in-home treatment of smaller second-degree burns is different than that of first-degree burns. If you are unsure what to do, however, you should seek out a doctor.
Third-degree
A third-degree burn cuts through every layer of skin and will almost always result in permanent scarring. (J.R. Martinez, the Army veteran who won Dancing with the Stars a few years ago, experienced third-degree burns as a result of military combat.) The skin may turn white around the affected area or may take on a charred look. Because third-degree burns reach the nerves, victims typically do not feel pain immediately after the burn. These injuries are incredibly serious and require expert medical attention immediately.
Fourth-degree
Fourth-degree burns are life-threatening and often fatal, though survival is sometimes possible with immediate and advanced medical care. The injury extends into the muscle and tissues and eventually into the bones. If a victim survives, skin grafts and other surgeries will be necessary.
Fifth-degree and sixth-degree
Some sources may refer to fifth- and sixth-degree burns to describe extreme tissue destruction extending into muscle and bone, though these terms are not part of standard medical classifications and are rarely used outside of forensic contexts. If a victim did survive this extreme level of burn, the chances are high that the burned body part would need to be amputated.
It is possible to survive the most serious burns, but it is incredibly rare. Those who do so face almost unimaginable medical expenses and may not be able to return to their jobs or to their everyday life and activities.
What are the common causes of Maryland burn injuries?
Though most people think of fire when they think of burns, there are many ways to sustain a burn injury. The Mayo Clinic lists some of the common ways people suffer burn injuries in the United States:
- Chemicals
- Electrical currents
- Fire
- Hot metal, glass, or other objects
- Radiation (like X-rays)
- Steam and hot liquids
- Sunlight or other sources of ultraviolet radiation, such as a tanning bed
- Explosions, including those from common gases like propane or natural gas
The personal injury attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., have decades of experience working with these types of cases and understand the medical complexities behind burn injuries.
What are chemical burns?
A result of touching or ingesting caustic substances, chemical burns can cause tissue damage similar to burns from heat. Caustic chemicals can be found in household or industrial products like drain cleaners, deodorizers, swimming pool chemicals, or home cleaning products. These types of burns are typically caused during an accidental spill, but sometimes a product may be mislabeled or a product may be misused, resulting in injuries.
Symptoms of chemical burns may include redness, swelling, and sometimes blistering depending on the chemical and exposure. Treatment of a chemical burn includes removing any contaminated clothing, brushing away any dry particles, and thoroughly and repeatedly rinsing the affected area with water.
What are electrical burns?
Electrical burns are caused by making contact with a source of electricity, like lightning, a taser gun, or the electrical current in your house. These burns occur when electricity enters and exits the body, and happen in several ways:
Electrical arcs
Electrical arcs happen when a strong current passes through the air from its source to another conductor or to the ground. A person in the path of the arc can suffer serious injury, including damage to internal organs, if the current travels through the body. These incidents often occur during on-the-job accidents, when a worker comes into contact with a high-voltage power line.
Flash burns
These types of burns are caused by electrical arcs on the skin. Although flash burns typically don’t penetrate the tissues, they can cause burns over a wide area of the body.
Flame burns
A flame burn is just what it sounds like, and is the result of a fire started by an electrical charge. A person may also suffer initial injuries from electric shock before experiencing burns from a resulting fire.
Many electrical injuries can be deadly without immediate intervention.
Explosion injuries
Gas, propane, or chemical explosions can cause severe burn injuries. An explosion may ignite surrounding structures, vehicles, or equipment, putting anyone nearby at risk of catastrophic harm. Explosions may occur because of a car accident, industrial accident, or construction site incident, among other causes.
Explosions can lead to deep third- and fourth-degree burns affecting multiple layers of skin, often requiring skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. When this level of burn covers large portions of the body, there is an increased risk of infection, scarring, and long-term disability. Nerve damage can also result, leading to numbness, loss of sensation, and chronic pain that may be permanent.
Additionally, burns resulting from explosions can come alongside other blast injuries, like broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, or internal organ damage. Smoke or chemical inhalation can cause additional harm. As a result, treatment for victims of explosions often requires lengthy and costly medical care. On top of the physical harm, explosion-related burns leave many victims with psychological trauma, including PTSD and anxiety, as well as emotional complications possibly related to permanent disfigurement. Explosions may also lead to fatal injuries, leaving grieving families facing unimaginable loss and often confusing questions about what went wrong.
What are steam burns?
Steam burns are caused by heat and scalding, and mostly occur at home. Steam burn injuries can penetrate both the outer and inner tissues of the skin, causing severe damage. Younger children and older adults are more at risk for steam burns, as their skin is thinner and more vulnerable to these types of injuries. First aid includes cooling the injured area with cool, not cold, water and seeking medical attention for serious injuries. One famous example of a serious scalding injury is the McDonald’s coffee lawsuit.
Is sunburn considered a burn injury?
Yes, a sunburn is considered a burn injury. It’s classified as a radiation burn caused by UV light. Typically, a sunburn would be a first-degree burn, damaging only the outer layers of skin. In severe cases, the damage can be worse. Blistering sunburns can be second-degree burns and will likely take longer to heal.
Legal rights of burn injury victims in Maryland
Burn injuries can cause physical and emotional harm, and the aftermath can also contribute to financial stress when you're trying to figure out how to pay for expensive medical bills and recover income from missing days at work. Speaking with an experienced Maryland burn injury attorney can improve your chances of securing full compensation.
At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we get it. We're here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation. Call our office or reach out online to discuss your case.
What are the grounds for a burn injury lawsuit in Maryland?
Burn injury lawsuits in Maryland are typically based on how the injury occurred. In many cases, the grounds come down to negligence, premises liability, or defective products.
Negligence
One of the most common grounds for a burn injury claim, negligence applies when a party fails to act with reasonable care, and that action leads to an injury. One example might be a restaurant serving dangerously hot liquids.
Premises liability claims
Property owners have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions. When they don’t, and someone is hurt on their property, the property owner may be held liable. A property owner may be liable if unsafe conditions, code violations, or failure to address known fire or burn hazards contributed to the injury.
Defective product claims
When products are defective, injuries can occur. In burn injury cases, liability often falls on manufacturers, distributors, or retailers. Examples of defective products that may be involved in a lawsuit include defective kitchen appliances, faulty batteries, or flammable clothing.
Compensation for burn injury victims in Maryland
The categories of potentially available damages include:
Economic damages
- Current and future medical expenses
- Physical therapy and assistive devices
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
Non-economic damages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Wrongful death damages
In tragic cases where someone died due to a burn injury, the family may be able to recover compensation. Damages in wrongful death cases may include:
- Funeral expenses
- Loss of companionship and support
How much is my Baltimore, MD injury claim worth?
The value of a burn injury case in Maryland depends on a lot of different factors. In general, the more serious your injuries, the higher your claim may be. However, even less severe burns can result in meaningful compensation.
How to protect your claim after a burn injury in MD
What you do in the days and weeks after a burn injury can directly affect your ability to recover compensation. Taking a few careful steps early on can make a meaningful difference in your case.
Don’t wait to contact our accomplished Maryland burn injury lawyers
Speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney can help you handle communication with insurance companies, gather relevant evidence, and ensure all deadlines are met. Early legal guidance can put you in a stronger position from the start.
We handle all types of burn injury claims
Burn injuries can happen in a wide range of situations. Our firm represents burn injury victims in the following areas:
- Vehicle accidents
- Workplace and construction site incidents
- Defective products
- Premises liability
- Electrical and chemical burns
No matter how your injury occurred, we focus on identifying what went wrong and who should be responsible.
Discuss your legal options with a Maryland burn injury lawyer
After a serious burn injury, it’s normal to have questions about your rights. The attorneys at Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., take the time to listen to your story. We’ll evaluate your claim, explain the legal process, and discuss available compensation under Maryland law.
Our Maryland burn injury lawyers
Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., has offices in Columbia and Baltimore, Maryland. If you can’t make it into the office, we’re happy to meet you somewhere else at your convenience. We can also chat online via video consultation.
Maryland burn centers and care options
According to medical literature, approximately 450,000 patients receive treatment for burn injuries annually in the United States, with tens of thousands requiring care at specialized burn centers and facilities that offer reconstructive care. Burn injury care options serving Maryland residents include:
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Burn Center (Adult burn center)
- The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins Burn Center (Pediatric)
- National Burn Reconstruction Center at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital (reconstructive burn care)
- MedStar Washington Hospital Center (located in Washington, D.C., regional burn center)
Our burn injury attorneys can work with your doctors and surgeons to ensure the court understands the full extent and scope of your injuries when we seek compensation against the negligent party or entity. We have experience working with some of the most highly-qualified burn life care planners, burn trauma doctors, and burn psychologists in the country.
Burns can be caused by gas explosions, unsafe working environments, car accidents, defective space heaters, and improperly labeled cleaners. At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we protect the rights of burn injury victims whose pain and suffering are the direct result of someone else’s negligence. We know what kind of treatments are necessary for burn victims, and how a serious burn may affect your ability to provide for yourself and your family. Our aggressive personal injury attorneys fight hard for our clients to ensure that their needs are taken care of, so that they can begin the healing process in a less stressful way.
Experienced Maryland burn injury law firm
At Plaxen Adler Muncy, P.A., we believe that burn injury victims deserve compensation that truly makes a difference. We never stop fighting on behalf of our clients. Talk to us today to put over 40 years of experience in your corner. To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, please call us now or fill out our contact form.
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