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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.
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