Burn injuries are disturbingly common, can occur almost anywhere, and can result in uniquely devastating consequences. We at Raynes McCarty have decades of experience counseling and representing burn survivors. We understand the many stages of burn recovery and the multi-faceted effects that can last a lifetime. Attorney Martin Brigham has devoted much of his work over the past 25 years to advocating for burn survivors and their families.
We help our clients understand the different benefits and forms of insurance that may provide income for convalescence and top-notch medical care—whether from a homeowners' policy, automobile coverage, workers' compensation, Social Security, or medical insurance. Thanks to our knowledge of employment law, we can counsel our clients about their rights under the American with Disability Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
When burns are caused by unsafe products or negligence, Raynes McCarty attorneys work hard to achieve justice for our clients. Examples include:
- $35,000,000 in Lifetime Benefits in Stove Tipover Accident An apartment stove tipped over when a five-year-old boy stood on its open door while trying to reach a pot. The pot of scalding water toppled off the stove, spilled onto the boy, and severely burned his groin and upper thighs. The landlord had ignored Philadelphia's building code, which requires every apartment stove to be anchored to the floor at the back of the stove. The stove manufacturer violated the standards for the home appliance industry when it failed to provide essential safety information. Martin K. Brigham's role as lead trial counsel for the boy in his claim against the landlord and the stove manufacturer was featured as a Spotlight case in ATLA's Law Reporter. Click here to read the article.
- "Largest Pre-Trial Recovery in Delaware History" Auto racing fans were directed by the race track owner to set up their RV's directly under an unlit, unmarked, uninsulated 69,000 volt high power line. Following the track's suggestion to fly the flag of their favorite race team, a family put up a tall flagpole. When the wind shifted, the pole contacted the overhead power line, causing an electrical arc that killed two and catastrophically burned three others. Martin K. Brigham was lead trial counsel for all of the families in the case that was described by defense counsel as the largest pre-trial personal injury recovery in the state's history.
- $11,100,000 Confidential Recovery for Burn Survivor A pipe fitter, working at a co-generation plant outside of Philadelphia, was badly burned when a bin of molten ash exploded, enveloping his body. Suit was filed by attorney Gerald A. McHugh, Jr. against a consortium of major, multinational corporations. Extensive reconstruction of the accident demonstrated flaws in the design and fabrication of the bin and its control system, resulting in a confidential settlement of $11.1 million for the burn survivor.
- $10,340,000 Recovery in Addition to Prior Confidential Settlement Lucent Technology's electricians certified to a crew of outside contractors that it was safe to enter a "de-energized" piece of electrical equipment. The assurance was false, the equipment had 12,470 volts flowing through it, and one of the contractor employees suffered severe electrical burns. Martin K. Brigham was lead trial counsel in the Allentown lawsuit against Lucent and the equipment manufacturer. The non-confidential portion of the settlement exceeded $10,340,000. The case was also "Spotlight"ed in ATLA's Law Reporter. Click here to read the article.
- Confidential Recovery for Worker Burned Because "Flame Retardant" Uniform Failed Working at a lead smelter, Tom was splattered with molten metal that had spilled from a crucible. The metal landed on his work uniform, which was supposed to be flame retardant. The uniform failed, and instead of self-extinguishing, provided the fuel to transform, what would have been limited superficial burns, to burns over more than 70% of Tom' s body. Martin K. Brigham led the team of lawyers in the lawsuit against the uniform supplier. Mr. Brigham established that the uniform company had used the wrong type of fabric. By reenacting the accident with the proper fabric, he was able to establish that Tom' s injuries were directly related to the uniform' s failure. Mr. Brigham was able to secure a settlement for Tom that was described at the time as being the largest pre-trial settlement for a burn survivor in Pennsylvania' s federal courts.
- Confidential Settlement for Woman Burned in Propane Gas Grill Explosion Concerned about theft, a family stored its propane gas grill in the kitchen when it was not being used. The home owner asked her daughter Marian to take the propane cylinder to be refilled. After trying to make sure that the cylinder valve was closed, Marian attempted to disconnect the hose. Unexpectedly, gas escaped, reached a source of ignition and exploded, severely burning Marian. Attorneys Roy DeCaro and Martin Brigham teamed up to represent Marian. They discovered that a safety device — a back check assembly — would have prevented the accident and had been recommended by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for more than a decade. Armed with the minutes from meetings at which the Defendants fought to delay the use of the safety device, DeCaro and Brigham earned the Court’s permission to seek punitive damages. A video settlement brochure, including a computer animation of the effectiveness of the safety device, facilitated a very successful confidential resolution for Marian. Click here to read more about the case.
- $5,000,000.00 Settlement Paid by Public Utility to Burn Survivor A team led by Marty Brigham, with Jerry McHugh and Tim Lawn, secured this confidential settlement for a migrant worker who was badly burned when he came into contact with a energized power line while he was painting a barn. A few months before the accident, a rural utility company had carelessly moved its lines dangerously close to the barn. A videotape settlement brochure powerfully presented the case, prompting an early mediation and resolution.
- $4,500,000 Settlement for Electrician in Compressor Explosion While Mike was troubleshooting a commercial air conditioning unit, the compressor—made in 1954—overheated. The lubricating oil pressurized and exploded out through an electrical terminal, where a spark ignited the oil as it sprayed onto Mike. Even though Mike's employer had thrown out the compressor after the accident, Martin K. Brigham, lead trial counsel, was able to use photographs to identify the manufacturer, which led to the discovery that this style of compressor had caused many similar accidents. Mike's case settled for $4.5 million. Click here to read more about the case.
- $3,100,000 Verdict for Acid Burns As John moved a large piece of equipment across the factory floor, it fell, smashing into a six gallon glass bottle of sulfuric acid that a co-worker had left sitting out. John slipped into the spreading puddle of acid, burning his shoulder, upper arm, and neck. Since the chemical manufacturer knew the acid bottle was to be used in a factory, Martin K. Brigham, lead trial counsel, argued that the bottle should have been encased in a heavy plastic wrap. Videotaped testing of a wrapped bottle withstanding heavy impacts convinced the jury to award $3.1 million to John and his wife. Click here to read more about the case.