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Philadelphia Fire Injury Lawyer

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    The National Fire Protection Association reported that in 2014 there were an estimated 1,298,000 fires reported in the United States. Unfortunately, these fires caused 3,275 civilian death and almost 16,000 injuries. Additionally, fire accidents resulted in 11.6 billion dollars in property damage.  Some of the most common causes for fire are listed as:

    • Appliance and equipment failures
    • Arson and juvenile fire setting
    • Candles
    • Chemicals and gasses
    • Electrical and consumer electronics
    • Fireworks
    • Holiday decorations
    • Household products
    • Lightning fires and lightning strikes
    • Smoking materials

    While the NFPA has fire prevention tips and strategies it is a sad reality that people are often injured or die when they are involved in a fire.

    Types of Injuries from Fires

    When you ask about fire injuries many people automatically and exclusively turn to burns. While burns are a very common injury, there are other injuries that can be just as severe and have an equally detrimental impact on a persons’ life.

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    There are two types of burns from fires: flash burns and burns from flames. Flash burns result from a sudden intense heat, which usually result from some form of explosion. Generally, people who have sustained flash burns can be treated as an outpatient and do not require extensive medical care. On the other hand, those who suffer burns from flames may incur extensive damage depending on the severity of the burn. There are four widely accepted burn types, which are separated by degrees.

    • First-degree burns affect only the top layer of skin, which is known as the epidermis. In these burn types the skin is usually red and painful, however, this burn is usually equivalent to a sunburn and the healing process normally does not take longer than 3-5 days.
    • Second-degree burns can be classified as either partial or full thickness burns and are more severe than first degree burns. In a partial thickness burn, there can be a blister that involved the entire skin and upper layers of the skin known as the dermis. The healing process for these burns can take anywhere from 10-21 days and potentially longer. In a full thickness second-degree burn, the skin can appear to be red or white but will usually appear to be dry. This is because a full thickness second-degree burn involves the destruction of the entire outer layer of skin and most of the top layers underlying the epidermis. These burns often require extensive medical treatment and skin grafting to heal.
    • Third-degree burns are a very serious injury and should be treated by a medical professional.  Third-degree burn entails the complete destruction of all the layers of the skin and extends deep into the tissue below the skin. In these burns, the skin can appear black or white but will be very dry. However, there is often very little pain in these types of injuries due to the extensive damage to the nerves. These injuries normally require skin grafting and will often result in severe scarring.
    • Fourth-degree burns are types of burns that are by far the most serious and will often result in severe impairment and disability. Fourth-degree burns involve burns to the deeper tissues such as the muscle, tendons, and bones. In these cases, you should seek prompt medical treatment.

    However, often there are many other injuries that may result from a fire which are often overlooked however equally as dangerous.  Some of these include:

    • Smoke inhalation
    • Broken bones
    • Strains and sprains
    • Wounds/bleeding
    • Dizziness/dehydration
    • Brain injuries

    Surprisingly, one of the most common lifelong results of burn injuries sustained in a fire is brain injury. Cerebral hypoxia is a condition in which oxygen is cut off from the brain, causing brain cells to die. In these cases, a person can die or suffer severe life-long impairments.

    Who is Liable for Burns?

    If you have been in an accident involving a fire you most likely want to know who can be held liable for your injuries if anyone?

    When someone is severely injured because of an accidental fire, liability for your injuries may rest with the person who started the fire. Alternatively, a person who caused a fire to go out of control may be held liable for any resulting injuries. Responsible parties may include:

    • Corporations
    • Product manufacturers
    • Property owners or landlord
    • Ordinary individuals who act negligently

    One of the most frequent questions about fire injuries comes from when a person is injured on another’s property. Generally, an owner or business is responsible for keeping its property safe for persons lawfully on the property. Therefore, if you have suffered an injury as a result of a fire stemming from improper use of a product or maintenance of the property, you may be able to hold the property owner liable.

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    What Types of Compensation Can I Receive from a Fire Injury in Pennsylvania? 

    As noted above, injuries from fires may require extensive and expensive surgery and may put you out of work for an extended period of time. Many people want to know what types of compensation can they receive in Pennsylvania.  In Pennsylvania, the courts have consistently held that damages are to be compensatory to the full extent of the injury sustained. This rule “is to give actual compensation, by graduating the number of damages exactly to the extent of loss” Forsyth v. Palmer, 14 Pa. 96, 97 (1850).  Some of the types of compensation you may be entitled to receive are:

    • Past medical expenses
    • Future medical expenses
    • Emotional trauma
    • Property damage
    • Out of pocket expenses

    There may be other damages that you may be able to recover in the event that you have been injured in a fire.  You should be aware that personal injury awards are usually paid in lump-sum payments, and therefore, if you believe that you will have future expenses as a result of your injury you will be expected to prove this at the time of trial.

    Rely on an Experienced Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer

    To speak confidentially with an experienced Pennsylvania Fire Accident attorney, call the law offices of The Reiff Law Firm at (215) 709-6940, or contact us online for a free consultation.

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    I can’t say enough great things about the Attorneys at the Reiff Law Firm. They made me feel at ease when I was going through a very difficult time in my life. Never being in a situation like this I was so unsure of where to start and how to go about the process. Justin gave me options where I thought I had none and explained everything in a way that I could understand. Justin and the team helped me arrange all of the treatment and therapy that I needed, without them I would have been lost. My attorney John went to bat for me like no one else could have, his knowledge and professionalism is unmatched. If anyone is ever in need of a team of attorneys the Reiff Law Firm is my ONLY recommendation.

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    I’m very comfortable to say there’s no better in the city.

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    ...I want to say that the Reiff Law Firm changed my entire life with handling of my legal case.

    As a former client, I want to say that the Reiff Law Firm changed my entire life with handling of my legal case. I was in a very serious automobile accident with severe injuries to neck and back areas. I contacted the law firm and asked what to do with the medical bills and how do I get the correct representation against the individual who rear-ended my car. In short, the firm took complete control of the case contacting my insurance company and asking for all the medical bills and legal matters be sent directly to them. I was able to get treatment from my doctor without worrying about the legal stuff. Furthermore, two years later the case was settled for a substantial amount of money. My life was much better due to the firm handling of my case. My attorneys at Reiff Law Firm are absolutely the best and I have recommended to my family friends. Thanks Reiff Law Firm.

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    What started out as a time for me that included a lot of doubt, questions and hopelessness has turned into one of a hopeful future.

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    THE REIFF FIRM IS AN OUTSTANDING LAW FIRM!

    I was referred to the Reiff Law Firm by a friend who had previously been a client of the firm. My friend told me that the Reiff Firm had done an incredible job handling his case and treated him like family. My friend's recommendation was spot on. I am going to miss them now that my case is over. Attorney Reiff and Attorney Toczydlowski are excellent attorneys. They really care. They got me an INCREDIBLE RESULT. Most importantly they were there for me during some extremely dark and difficult times in my life. I highly recommend the Reiff Law Firm to anyone seeking the very best legal representation for injuries they suffered in an accident.

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