A burn injury can be one of the most traumatic personal injuries a person can suffer. The pain, discomfort, and recovery process are intense and long-lasting, requiring months, sometimes years, of hospitalization, doctor visits, physical therapy, and extensive counseling to overcome the mental trauma.
Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC has been supporting burn injury victims in Omaha and throughout Nebraska for over four decades. Our burn injury lawyers understand the complexity of burn injuries and know how long it takes to complete the treatment process. We document the complete range of medical, therapeutic, and rehabilitative services necessary to sustain a burn victim for years, or even a lifetime.
If you or a loved one has sustained serious burn injuries due to an accident, reach out to our Omaha burn injury attorneys. Call us 24/7 at (402) 241-5020 or contact us online for a free consultation.
How Our Omaha Burn Injury Lawyers Can Help You
A serious burn injury can leave you facing extensive medical treatment, permanent scarring, lost income, and significant emotional trauma. At Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, we have decades of experience representing burn injury victims throughout Omaha and statewide, helping them pursue the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.
We provide comprehensive legal representation from the beginning of your claim through its resolution. Our burn injury attorneys will:
- Investigate the accident and identify every liable party responsible for your injuries.
- Gather medical records, expert opinions, and evidence supporting the full extent of damages.
- Calculate current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term care costs.
- Negotiate aggressively with insurance companies to pursue a fair settlement.
- Work with medical and vocational experts to strengthen your burn injury claim.
- Prepare your case for trial if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
- Keep you informed and provide responsive legal guidance throughout every stage of your case.
Burn injury cases often involve substantial financial losses and lifelong consequences. Our Omaha burn injury lawyers are committed to protecting your interests while you focus on your recovery. Contact Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC, today for a free consultation, and because we work on a contingency fee basis, you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Types of Burn Injury Cases Our Omaha Attorneys Handle
Burn injuries are typically categorized by one of three levels:
First-degree burns: Comparatively mild burns that affect the epidermis, or outer layer of skin. First-degree burns can be uncomfortable and cause skin reddening on the burn site, but they can usually be treated at home with cool water, a lidocaine-based topical solution, aloe vera, and an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Second-degree burns: Moderate burns that cause redness, swelling, and blistering of the skin. Second-degree burns penetrate more deeply than first-degree burns, and while some second-degree burns can be self-treated it’s advisable to see a doctor if a large area of skin is affected or the burn site seems infected.
Third-degree burns: Severe burns that penetrate multiple layers of skin tissue and can result in swelling, blistering and scarring. Third-degree burns require emergency medical treatment, and can have life-changing impacts on victims.
Serious burn injury cases often involve far more than the initial damage to the skin. Many victims face lasting physical limitations, emotional trauma, and significant financial challenges during recovery. Our Omaha burn injury attorneys represent clients whose injuries include:
- Burns and lacerations suffered in motorcycle or other motor vehicle accidents
- Workplace accidents involving explosions, electrocution, radiation, or chemical exposure
- Burns caused by defective products, including faulty appliances, dangerous consumer products, or defective industrial equipment
- Loss of joint motion due to tissue contracture
- Psychological problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or flashbacks
- Vocational rehabilitation due to years out of the workforce during recovery
- Physical discomfort, including itching, sensitivity to heat or cold, or intolerance of clothing
These are only some of the burn injury cases we handle. If you have suffered any type of burn because of another party’s negligence, our Omaha burn injury attorneys are ready to hear about your case, explain your legal options, and help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Burn Injury Negligence
Negligence in a burn accident describes a failure by a person, business, or other entity to use reasonable judgment, and due to this negligence, a burn injury was caused. Negligence can also be described as an action or inaction by someone that creates a dangerous situation.
The experienced burn injury lawyers at Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf, & Lathrop, LLC will work extremely hard to prove that the negligent party in your case was responsible for your injuries. Once we prove that negligence caused your injury, we will fight to get you the compensation that is necessary for you to begin to move forward.
Negligence comes in different forms in each burn injury case that we take on. If you have any questions regarding negligence and how it applies to your case, contact us right away so we can sit down and help you understand your case.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Burns caused by fire, scalding, electrical accidents, and chemicals happen nearly every day and affect people of all ages. These accidents happen not just inside of a home, but in a variety of settings. Common accidents known to cause burn injuries include:
Car Accidents
When a car accident occurs, gasoline from the engine can spill and ignite, causing the car and the car’s occupants to burst into flames. According to the United States Fire Administration, fires caused by car, truck, and motorcycle accidents account for nearly 17% of fires responded to. On average, vehicle fires cause nearly 500 deaths and 1,300 injuries on a yearly basis.
Defective Products
As consumers, we expect all of the products we use on a daily basis to work properly. However, sometimes, products can malfunction causing them to overheat, burn, and start a fire. Many products that malfunction can cause burn injuries, especially those that use batteries or power outlets.
Electrocution Accidents
Jobs in construction, electrical, and oil are extremely dangerous. Many burn injuries happen in these professions each year. When a worker is exposed to an electrical current, the electricity running through the body can cause severe damage to the worker’s cardiovascular system, respiratory system, and central nervous system. Electrocution often causes death.
Gas Explosions
Gas explosions are becoming more and more concerning across the United States. They can occur on work sites, in homes, and in any other place with propane tanks, gas furnaces, and water heaters.
Burn Injury Facts and Statistics
Burn injuries continue to affect thousands of people every year, both in Nebraska and across the country. According to a 2023 report by the U.S. Fire Administration, Nebraska averages 0.4 fire-related deaths and 8.3 injuries per 1,000 fires statewide. Residential structure fires are even more dangerous, resulting in 0.9 deaths and 32.9 injuries per 1,000 fires, highlighting the serious risks that home fires pose.
Recent National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) data highlights the ongoing risks associated with fires in vehicles, businesses, residential buildings, and other settings.
- 211,500 vehicle fires occurred nationwide in 2024, causing 510 civilian deaths and 1,070 civilian injuries.
- 178,500 highway vehicle fires resulted in 850 civilian injuries, with fire departments responding to one every 2 minutes and 57 seconds.
- 119,500 non-residential structure fires caused 1,020 civilian injuries and approximately $3.6 billion in property damage in 2024.
- 21,500 fires in hotels, dormitories, and other residential properties caused 410 civilian injuries.
- 706,000 outside and other fires caused 370 civilian injuries and nearly $1 billion in direct property damage nationwide in 2024.
Compensation for Omaha Burn Injury Victims
The compensation available to you in a burn injury case will be the same as any other personal injury claim. Burn injuries, in particular, can lead to the victim being in severe pain as well as permanent disfigurement. In many burn injury cases, the victim can be compensated for not only physical pain, but also emotional distress due to their injuries. Because of this, settlement values in burn injury cases tend to be higher than other personal injury cases. Depending on the specifics of your case, our attorneys may pursue compensation on your behalf for the following damages:
- Ambulance rides
- Medical bills
- Medical devices
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning potential
- Surgical costs
- Missed work
Emotional Distress Awards for Burn Injuries
An emotional distress award takes many factors into account including the severity and extent of the victim’s disfigurement. The reason for this is because the victim – based on the severity and extent of the burn injury – will likely suffer from embarrassment, depression, and other emotional issues. As an example, a victim who suffers a badly burned face may receive more compensation than a person who suffers a badly burned back because of the visibility of their disfigurement.
Free Consultation with a Burn Injury Attorney
If you need advice and representation to pursue your rights in a severe burn case, contact us today for a free initial consultation. We will listen to your story, ask pertinent questions and give you an honest assessment of your case. If it merits legal action, we will represent you at no cost, collecting a fee only if you win your case. Our attorneys are zealous advocates for people who have been injured because of the negligence or carelessness of other individuals or organizations. We will represent your best interests with passion and purpose.
For your convenience, we offer home, hospital and nursing home visits. Our team of professionals at Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, LLC will provide you with the experience, strategy, and commitment that protect your rights and claims.
Contact one of our burn injury lawyers today for a free initial consultation on your case. No attorney fees unless you win.
Burn Injury FAQ
How do I file a burn injury claim in Omaha, NE?
If you have suffered a burn injury due to the negligence of another party, you may have the opportunity to recover compensation for your injuries with the help of an experienced burn injury lawyer. The burn injury lawyers at Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf, & Lathrop have nearly 268 years of combined experience helping victims of accidents recover the compensation they deserve. We will work very hard to do the same thing for you. Contact us now.
Who will pay my compensation for my burn injury?
In most burn injury cases, the victim will receive compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company. It doesn’t matter whether or not your burn injury was caused in a car accident or by a defective product, the insurance company that insures the at-fault party will be responsible for paying you compensation.
How much compensation am I entitled to for my burn injury?
Burn injury victims could be entitled to compensation for various damages based on the circumstances of their case. Economic and non-economic damages are available to many victims of burn injuries in Nebraska. Some damages that you may be entitled to include:
- Ambulance rides
- Hospital stays
- Medical bills
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Physical therapy costs
- Surgical costs
- Loss of earning capacity
How long will my burn injury claim take to complete?
The length of a burn injury case is virtually impossible to predict. The amount of time your case takes to complete is usually determined by factors including but not limited to your recovery, the collection of evidence, negotiations, and litigation if your case goes to trial. The most important thing for you to do is try and stay patient. You can take comfort in knowing that we will turn over every rock to get you the compensation you deserve. While we handle your case, you can concentrate on healing.
Should I accept an insurance settlement for my burn injury?
Insurance companies are never looking out for your best interest. They will rarely come to you with fair settlement offers. The truth is, before you speak to anyone involved with an insurance company, you should first speak with one of our burn injury lawyers. It is important to note that if you accept a settlement offer from an insurance company, you will be barred from receiving further compensation for your burn injury in the future. Before speaking with anyone about the specifics of your accident, speak to one of our lawyers today.
