Severe burns are among the most painful and catastrophic events people can face, and they are usually linked with high fatality rates. If someone you love sustained severe and deadly burns because of the carelessness of someone else, you must hold the negligent party responsible.
The state’s wrongful death laws allow surviving family members to file a claim against the liable party to recover monetary damages such as funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional suffering. Contact our office to speak with a compassionate burn injury attorney from our firm and learn more about fatal burn injuries in Piscataway.
What Are the Most Typical Causes of Fatalities?
Piscataway’s deadly burn injury cases are most commonly associated with fires, and the most prominent factor is often related to the size of the wounds. When burns cover a large part of the body, it increases the risk of fatalities. Burns that cover 20 to 40 percent of the total body surface area are considered severe and are often accompanied by inhalation injuries.
Age and Overall Health
Age is a significant determinant of mortality risk in severe burn victims. The risk of death is highest for very young children, such as toddlers, and older adults, approximately 60 and over.
Children five years old and younger have a higher risk of death than older children because of immature physiological reserves, such as physical resilience and functional capacity. The smaller body size also leads to greater bodily fluid loss, creating additional challenges in airway management.
Preexisting Health Conditions
Preexisting health conditions also substantially impact the mortality risk by impairing recovery and increasing the risk of infections. Poor health exacerbates multi-organ failure, and the impact is more severe for older patients.
Wrongful Death Laws
State wrongful death laws allow surviving families to seek compensation from the at-fault party when negligence, recklessness, or wrongful acts lead to the death of loved ones. The New Jersey Wrongful Death Act states that if the victim had been eligible for monetary damages through a personal injury claim, their estate is entitled to pursue a settlement on behalf of dependents in a wrongful death suit. One personal representative of the estate, named the executor, has the legal authority to file the lawsuit on behalf of the estate and close family members.
The Eligible Beneficiaries
If the victim did not have a will, the statute distributes compensation to the dependents and heirs of the deceased based on the state’s intestate succession laws, which include the following:
- Parents
- Children
- Surviving spouse
- Other dependants
The civil court determines the distribution of monetary damages based on factors such as financial dependence, lost support, and the victim’s contributions to the household.
Recoverable Damages
Recoverable damages include lost wages, financial support the deceased provided, and the value of household services, such as maintenance and childcare. The court could also award payment for reasonable medical expenses leading up to the victim’s death, and funeral and burial costs. Non-economic damages are typically limited to loss of care, guidance, and companionship, as well as pain and suffering. Our knowledgeable lawyers at Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC can answer all your questions about deaths from burn injuries in Piscataway and help you navigate the claims process during this challenging time.
Contact an Attorney for More Information About Piscataway Burn Injury Deaths
The loss of someone you love dearly due to the recklessness, carelessness, or intentional actions of another is devastating. When they contributed financially to your household, the impact can feel overwhelming. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit after losing someone you love to fatal burn injuries in Piscataway could allow you to hold the responsible parties accountable and bring some relief to you and your family.
Contact our compassionate and experienced personal injury lawyers today to schedule your free consultation and learn more.
