Law Office of Michael D. Waks

A Lawyer You Can Trust

No Fee Unless You Win

Call888.394.1174

Available 24/7

  • Home
  • Attorney Profile
  • Reviews
  • Practice Areas
    • Personal Injury Lawyer Long Beach
    • Personal Injury Lawyer Cardiff
    • Motor Vehicle
      • Auto & Car Accidents
      • Bus Accidents
      • Distracted Driving
      • DUI Victim
      • Motorcycle Accidents
      • Truck Accidents
      • Wrongful Death
    • Premises Liability
      • Construction Accidents
      • Premises Liability
      • Electrical Accidents
      • Private Property Accidents
      • Slip and Fall Accident
      • Swimming Pool Accidents
    • Other Practice Areas
      • Brain Injury
      • Burn Injury
      • Bicycle Accidents
      • Boating Accidents
      • Dog Bite Accidents
      • Legal Malpractice
      • Pedestrian Accidents
      • Product Liability
      • Sexual Assault
      • Spinal Injury
  • Case Results
  • Videos
  • Resources
    • California Law Enforcement Information
    • California Personal Injury Laws and Statutory Rules
    • Other Resources
    • Personal Injury Law FAQs
    • Personal Injury Resources
    • Physical & Emotional Recovery Support
    • Southern California Courts
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Sustained Fourth-Degree Burns? 5 Steps to Take

December 19, 2021 by Michael Waks

firemen fighting fire

Fourth-degree burns are the most serious. Whereas third-degree burns penetrate the skin to affect the underlying tissue, fourth-degree burns also damage the muscle, bone, or fascia. 

If you sustained such a burn in some kind of preventable accident, your life may never be the same. As long as you weren’t responsible for the accident, though, you should be entitled to compensation. 

While filing a claim in pursuit of damages won’t erase what happened, it could yield the funds needed to achieve some sense of normalcy in the aftermath. Should you choose to proceed with a claim, you can give it the best chance of success by taking the following steps:

1. Follow All Medical Advice for Treating Your Burns

Fourth-degree burns are impossible to ignore, so chances are you’ve already sought treatment. If you haven’t, visit a doctor as soon as possible to prevent serious complications, like infection. 

Throughout your recovery, you should also be diligent about attending all follow-up appointments and listening to your doctor’s orders. In addition to reducing the severity of the scarring, this will show the insurance adjuster you were committed to mitigating damages. As a result, the opposing party won’t be able to shift blame your way. 

2. Start a Daily Journal 

As soon as possible after the accident, start a daily journal. Write about your burns and how they’re hurting your overall quality of life. Detailed entries will come in handy later, when it’s time to demonstrate the extent of non-economic damages like pain and suffering. 

3. Record the Expenses You Incur as a Result of Your Burns

Since you’re also going to have to demonstrate your economic damages, you’ll want to save all the documentation associated with your injury-related expenses. Examples include receipts, invoices, and insurance statements for things like medical bills and replacement services.

4. Refuse to Give a Recorded Statement

The insurance adjuster is probably going to ask for a statement fairly early in the proceedings. Assuming you haven’t reached maximum medical improvement, though, it’s best to avoid giving one. There’s no way to be sure of all the losses you incur, after all, until you’ve completed your recovery.  

5. Seek Legal Counsel 


Burn injury claims are inherently complex, so it’s wise to enlist legal help. A resourceful lawyer will investigate the cause of the accident, gather evidence of liability, calculate a reasonable figure for the associated damages, and ultimately help you negotiate for a satisfactory payout. What’s more, if the insurance adjuster ends up being uncooperative, your attorney can help you file a formal lawsuit. 

Discuss Your Claim with a Burn Injury Attorney in Long Beach 

Your Injuries Are Personal to Me

At the Law Office of Michael D. Waks, we know how devastating burn injuries can be. That’s why we’re determined to advocate for those who have been seriously hurt through no fault of their own. 

If you want to file a personal injury claim in California after sustaining a thermal, chemical, or electrical burn, we’ll help you navigate every stage of the proceedings. To set up a free case review with a burn injury lawyer in Long Beach, complete our Contact Form or call (562) 206-1939.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Michael Waks
Michael Waks
Michael Waks is an aggressive advocate for people who have suffered because of someone else’s actions. Michael decided to become a personal injury lawyer when, while clerking at a legal defense firm during law school, he witnessed and was infuriated by asbestos manufacturers spending millions to avoid taking responsibility for the egregious injuries they caused. Immediately after passing the bar, Michael opened his own firm in Long Beach, CA to help the victims of personal injury accidents get every benefit owed them under the law.
Michael Waks
Latest posts by Michael Waks (see all)
  • How to Prepare for Your First Meeting with an Electrical Accident Lawyer - March 29, 2023
  • Who Will Cover the Damage That Results from a Fallen Tree?  - March 22, 2023
  • Understanding the Civil vs. Criminal Charges Brought Against Alec Baldwin over Fatal “Rust” Shooting - March 15, 2023
Share here...

Law Office of Michael D. Waks

Get a Free Consultation

  • Submission of this form does not create an attorney-client relationship.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Testimonials

Michael represented me in a personal injury case and I can’t recommend him enough. From the very first consultation he made sure that I was always aware of my options and up to speed with every aspect of my case. He answered all my questions and used his experience and expertise to help guide my decisions instead of trying to make them all for me. He not only ensured that the settlement I received was more than enough to cover all my bills and expenses but he also made sure I had piece of mind and would be taken care of going forward.

– Eric G.‎
Read More Testimonials

Categories

  • Bicycle Accidents
  • Boating Accidents
  • Brain Injuries
  • Burn Accidents
  • Bus Accidents
  • Car Accidents
  • Construction Site Accidents
  • Disability
  • Distracted Driving Accident
  • Dog Bites
  • DUI Victim
  • Electrical Accidents
  • Government Entity Claims
  • Legal Malpractice
  • Motorcycle Accidents
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Personal Injury
  • Premises Liability
  • Private Property Accidents
  • Product Liability
  • Sexual Assault
  • Slip and Fall
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Train Accidents
  • Truck Accidents
  • Uncategorized
  • Uninsured Motorists
  • Wrongful Death
– BACK TO TOP –

Visit Us

Long Beach Office
1 World Trade Center, Suite 800
Long Beach, California 90831
P: 562-206-1939
F: 562-676-4388
Get Directions

Cardiff Office
160 Chesterfield Dr., Suite 200
Cardiff, CA 92007
760-767-8031
Get Directions

Call Us

888-394-1174
SCHEDULE A FREE CONSULTATION
Personal injury lawyer Long Beach
Car accident lawyer Long Beach
Google Review
  • review_star
  • review_star
  • review_star
  • review_star
  • review_star

Michael Waks is The attorney you want to resolve your accident issues, period. He is knowledgeable, efficient, and gets maximum results when you are injured.

— Joe M
  • facebook-app-symbol
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • pinterest
  • youtube
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Scholarship
  • Sitemap

This website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as providing formal legal advice.

Copyright © 2022 by Law Office of Michael D. Waks

Website & SEO By Sutton Digital Marketing