Compassionate Providence Burn Injury Attorneys
The law offices of Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd are nationally recognized for our representation of catastrophically injured individuals and their families as a result of the Rhode Island Station Nightclub Fire. Our experience in these matters dates back to 2003 and has resulted in obtaining millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for the injured parties and their families.
As Rhode Island Burn Injury Attorneys, we are experienced in obtaining just compensation for the pain and disfigurement which results from severe burn injuries. Serious burns can have devastating consequences for injured Rhode Islander’s and their families. Burn injuries can leave permanent scars, require many surgical procedures, limit movement, and prevent people from returning to work. We understand that you may need help with medical bills, securing medical treatment, recovering lost wages, and obtaining long-term home health care.
Rhode Island Burn Injury Law allows an individual and/or their family to be compensated for injuries and losses caused by another’s wrongdoing. Fire & Burn Injuries in Rhode Island can be caused by someone else’s carelessness.
Burns can result from any number of causes, such as:
- Building fires
- Explosions
- Defective products
- Hot liquids
- Vehicle fires
- Manufacturing accidents
- Toxic chemicals
- Electrical fires
- Hot gases
A fire can occur anywhere and can be caused by a number of things, including fireplaces, cigarettes, electrical appliances, candles, heaters, and defective products. No matter how your fire occurred, if you suffered a burn injury within the State of Rhode Island as a result of another person’s negligence or careless behavior, you can be entitled to compensation for your injuries
To determine if you have cause to file suit following a burn injury, fault has to be established. Common liable parties include property owners, product manufacturers, and employers, but may consist of anyone—individual, corporation, or even governmental entities—whose negligence caused or contributed to your injury.
Typically, in a burn injury case, your right to file suit hinges on proving the Four Elements of Negligence, which are:
- Duty. It must be shown that the defendant had a responsibility to keep you safe from harm.
- Breach of Duty. It must be shown that the defendant failed to uphold this responsibility.
- Causation. A breach of duty is not enough, it must also be shown that the defendant’s failure caused your injury.
- Damages. Finally, it must be shown that you suffered actual losses (financial, physical, and emotional) due to the injury.
Consulting with an experienced injury attorney is the easiest way to determine whether you have a valid burn injury claim.
At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, our Providence burn injury lawyers have represented countless individuals facing the aftermath of burns, successfully recovering millions in verdicts and settlements. If you are unsure about your right to file a burn injury claim, you don’t have to guess. Reach out today for your FREE and confidential case review to learn how we can investigate your accident, identify all liable parties, and help you seek every penny you are due.
According to Brown University Health, the leading causes of burn injury in Rhode Island are scalds, steam, fires, flammable liquids, and gases. These may be a result of:
- Residential or Commercial Fires: Faulty wiring, landlord negligence, and code violations all create burn hazards.
- Industrial or Workplace Accidents: Mislabeled chemicals, machinery malfunctions, and inadequate training can contribute to burns.
- Defective Products: Electrical appliances, vehicle components, and home goods can explode or catch fire, causing severe burns.
- Automobile Accidents: Leaking fuel and explosions during a collision can also result in burns.
When you sustain a burn injury or a loved one is killed through burn injury complications, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. The Providence burn injury lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell have decades of combined legal experience helping victims of all types of burn injury—regardless of the cause—seek fair compensation. During your complimentary case review, we will listen to your story, discuss your options, and help you determine how best to proceed.
Rhode Island follows a pure comparative negligence model. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of blame. For instance, if you are found 20% responsible, your total award will be reduced by 20%.
Here’s the thing: determining fault is not a simple task. Having an attorney on your side helps to ensure the correct parties are held accountable and you can seek the full compensation your injury demands.
At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, our Providence burn injury lawyers conduct thorough investigations into these accidents, taking care to identify all possible causes. This enables us to properly establish fault and seek complete compensation. Even if you suspect you played a role in your accident, it’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer to understand all of your rights and options.
Damages in burn injury settlements and verdicts typically fall under two categories:
- Economic: Medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and other measurable losses.
- Non-Economic: Pain and suffering, emotional duress, loss of enjoyment in life, and similarly non-financial concerns.
Unlike many other states, Rhode Island does not place a cap on the amount of damages you can collect following a burn injury. This means the total you can recover often depends on the strength of your case, the severity of your injury, and the abilities of your attorney.
Our Providence burn injury lawyers have significant experience helping victims of serious injury get justice. Our firm helped victims of the Station Night Club fire—one of the largest and most complex cases in Rhode Island history—secure $176,000,000 in damages. We apply our thorough investigative techniques, comprehensive case building, and robust advocacy to every case, helping burn injury victims get the full and fair compensation they are due.
According to R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-1-14, you typically have three years from the date of a burn injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, your claim will likely be denied.
It’s best to contact an experienced Providence burn injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident. This helps to protect your right to file suit. It also helps to preserve physical and digital evidence and ensure witness memories are fresh. Most importantly, however, it helps to reduce the amount of time you are forced to wait for the compensation you need to get on with your life.
Workplace burn injuries in Rhode Island are typically handled through the workers’ compensation system. Workers’ comp is a “no fault” insurance, meaning you don’t have to prove who was liable to receive benefits. However, you will be limited in what you can recover—usually just medical expenses and a portion of the wages you lose while recovering.
If your workplace injury is caused by someone else—like a third-party contractor or the manufacturer of a faulty product—you may be entitled to seek damages through a personal injury lawsuit. With this option, you can seek both economic and non-economic damages, often well beyond what workers’ compensation will pay.
The Providence burn injury lawyers at Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell can help you figure out the best route forward. Call us today for a cost- and obligation-free case review, where we can assess your specific situation and provide straightforward advice on how to proceed.
Fire & Burn Injury Statistics:
The following annual estimates have been derived from statistics provided by the U.S. Vital Statistics, several ongoing national surveys, selected states, and the National Burn Repository of the American Burn Association. Repository reports describe admissions to hospitals with specialized services provided by “burn centers.”
In the United States, each year over 30,000 people are killed or seriously injured by fire and smoke inhalation.
Burn injury statistics show that at least 50% of all burn injuries can be prevented. For example, one of every 13 structure fire deaths in the United States was caused by a child setting a fire. Children playing with fire account for more than one-third of preschool child deaths by fire.
In the United States, approximately 2.4 million burn injuries are reported per year. Approximately 650,000 of the injuries are treated by medical professionals; 75,000 are hospitalized. Of those hospitalized, 20,000 have major burns involving at least 25% of their total body surface. Between 8,000 and 12,000 patients with burns die, and approximately one million will sustain substantial or permanent disabilities resulting from their burn injury.
Burn injuries are second to motor vehicle collisions as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States.
Burns and fires are the leading cause of accidental death in the home for children 14 and under and the third leading cause of accidental death for adults.
From ages 5-74, most burn injuries occur outdoors, with the next most frequent area being the kitchen.
The most common burn injuries for older adults are from flame or scalding, lighting trash fires or a furnace, bathing or falling asleep while smoking.
The National Fire Protection Association found that the age group most likely to die in house fires are those 75 and older. High-voltage electric injuries account for approximately 3% of hospital admissions for burn injuries.
Selected Statistics on Admissions to Burn Centers, 2000-2009
Survival Rage: 94.8%
Gender: 70% male, 30% female
Ethnicity: 63% Caucasian, 17% African-American, 14% Hispanic, 6% Other
Admission Cause: 42% fire/flame, 31% scald, 9% contact, 4% electrical, 3% chemical, 11% other
Place of Occurrence: 66% home, 10% occupational, 8% street/highway, 16% other
At Mandell, Boisclair & Mandell, Ltd, our lawyers and nurses have wide-ranging experience in investigating and litigating Rhode Island Fire & Burn Injury cases.
