Minneapolis Burn Injury Attorneys “You Can Trust”
McEwen & Kestner are reputable burn injury attorneys located in the Twin Cities metro that have a track record of getting favorable settlements for our clients. According to the American Burn Association[1], in 2016, there were over 486,000 burn injuries in the United States. 40,000 of those burn injuries required hospitalization. Call our Minneapolis/St. Paul personal injury attorneys today to get a Free Consultation regarding your burn injuries! Our legal team has extensive experience with burn injuries across the US!
Are you Entitled to a Personal Injury Settlement?
Thousands of people suffer severe burn injuries each year and hundreds more lose their lives. Burn injuries occur on the job, at home, and on the roads as a result of faulty equipment, negligence, and uncontrollable circumstances. Burn injuries are costly and result in permanent scars as well as lifelong damage.
Burns may be caused by a number of products and materials. Propane gas explosions, chemical burns, electrical burns, automobile accidents, and thermal burns all result in life-altering burns, scars, physical and emotional damage. Burns sustained may be so severe they require surgery, months off of work, and years of recuperation. Victims of burn injuries may be eligible to receive legal compensation for their pain, suffering, medical bills, and physical damage. Those who have lost loved ones as the result of an explosion, fire, or other burn injury circumstance may also be eligible to receive compensation.
Whether you have been injured at work, at home, or as the result of an automobile accident McEwen & Kestner can help you regain your loses after suffering a burn injury. Our attorneys understand the damage, pain, and suffering caused by burn injuries and are dedicated to providing victims and their families with the compensation necessary to get back to life.
Common causes of burn injuries include:
- Fire/flame
- Scalding from steam or hot liquids
- Touching hot objects
- Electrical burns
- Chemical burns
- Car accidents
- Playing with matches
- Unsafe use of firecrackers
- Kitchen accidents
Categories of Burn Injuries
There are four categories of burn injuries:
- First-degree burns usually affect the outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis. A first-degree burn tends to be moist and red in color. A burn of this nature is generally resolved within a week.
- Superficial second-degree burn penetrates the entire epidermal layer of skin and extends down to the next skin layer, known as the dermis. A second-degree burn[2] may appear moist and pinkish in color. A superficial second-degree burn may heal spontaneously, often within two weeks.
- Full-thickness third-degree burns differ from the superficial second- degree burns because the tissue destruction runs deeper into the dermis. A full-thickness burn will be dry and whitish in color. It will not produce red blanches with an application of pressure. This type of burn may take three to four weeks to heal.
- Third-degree burns are the most severe classification. This occurs when the burn destroyed both the epidermal and dermal layers of skin and extended down to the subcutaneous tissue. These burns may be physically depressed, charred, and often leather-like in appearance. These burns are very serious and often require skin grafting[3] or other reconstructive procedures.
We are Local Minneapolis Attorneys That are Nationally Known
When a burn injury happens as the result of faulty equipment, an unsafe work environment, or even children left unattended with dangerous products, legal action may be needed to recover damages for victims and their families. On the outset, they may not seem like a big deal, but burns of any degree are serious injuries. A burn scar lasts forever and not only disfigures one’s appearance but can sometimes create a permanent feeling of increased pain and sensitivity. The residual damage can cause a significant amount of emotional distress. Although money will not cause a burn or scar to disappear, the law has created a system to compensate you for the damages these injuries have caused.
If you were involved in an accident or otherwise sustained burn injuries, it is important to speak to a burn injury attorney as soon as possible. Please call the best US Burn Injury Attorneys at McEwen & Kestner today for a free consultation – (651) 224-3833, or fill out our FREE, no-obligation case review form below.
Results
Nehrig v. Thermogas et al. (Iowa)
Facts: Two volunteer fire fighters were killed and seven other people were injured when a blazing 18,000 gallon propane tank exploded in Albert City, Iowa. The propane tank lacked adequate collision protection, and the entire propane system design was flawed.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm obtained confidential settlements on behalf of their clients
Nissen and Ryan
Facts: Mr. Ryan lost his life and Mr. Nissen was severely and permanently injured when an anhydrous ammonia tank ruptured. The tank ruptured due to a defective weld and it had been in adequately inspected over the years. Plaintiff sued the tank manufacturers and the anhydrous ammonia manufacturers on the basis of failure to warn regarding adequately inspecting tanks.
Settlement: $9.6 million plus $2 million of settlements from settling defendants.
Client V. Gappa Oil, et. al. (Minnesota)
Facts: A Minnesota resident received substantial burn injuries in a propane gas explosion at her house. An uncapped line leaked propane gas into the home. The home did not have propane gas detectors to warn the homeowner of the fugitive gas. The case is still pending in Minnesota against other liable parties upon theories of negligent failure to adequately warn, negligent testing, negligent inspection, and gas detectors
Settlement: A $1,000,000.00 settlement was reached against an electrical company that contributed to the cause of the explosion.
Our burn injury attorneys have obtained over $500,000,000 in settlements for our clients. Click here to learn more about our past cases and settlements.
Nelson v. Southeast Propane (North Dakota)
Fact: Mr. Nelson sustained serious burns when propane gas leaked from a corroded gas line located in his basement. The propane company, Southeast Propane, failed to conduct mandatory testing and inspection of the propane system, in which the propane gas system contained an out-of-date regulator which was required to be removed and replaced with a new one.
Settlement: A trial of this case was scheduled for April 2015, and settlement was reached shortly before that to compensate Mr. Nelson for his injuries.
Knox v. Southern States Coop., Housewarmings, Trane, Monessen and Everburn (Kentucky)
Fact: Two weeks before the explosion that killed an adult and two children, a propane gas deliveryman from Southern States was at the home delivering propane when he was notified of a possible leak in the gas system. The driver admitted he did not inspect the leak. The case rose from negligence to a punitive damage case.
Anderson v. Gas Co. et al.
Fact: A father and daughter were severely burned in Minnesota in the propane gas explosion that occurred in a resort cabin. An exterior propane gas line corroded in leaked gas into the building. The McEwen Law Firm established that the retailer was negligent in failing to warn about the dangers of propane and to discover and change the leaking propane gas line.
Settlement: A settlement was reached with the various parties in the amount of $3 million.
Campfield vs Gottula Propane Service, Inc., et al. (Nebraska)
Facts: A propane explosion occurred at the home of our client, resulting in rendering our client disabled and completely unemployable as a result of his injuries. In the explosion he suffered severe burns, full and partial thickness to the head, face and upper body – covering 35-45% of his total body surface area. The case was based on the negligent failure to warn concerning the dangers of propane.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm obtained a substantial settlement for the Client prior to trial.
Williams vs. Gas Co.
Fact: A 14-year-old boy was seriously burned in a propane explosion. The retailer failed to adequately warn about the dangers of propane gas and the need to utilize gas detectors.
Settlement: After a week trial in Iowa, the insurance company for the propane retailer paid a very substantial settlement to the boy.
Blasel v. Propane Retailer, et. al.(Wisconsin)
Facts: Mr. Blasel suffered burns in a propane gas explosion. A brass fitting corroded and propane gas leaked into the home. Soil is known to scrub or take out the odorant and the leaked gas contained no warning agent. The claim was resolved prior to filing a lawsuit.
Settlement: $1,000,000.00
Vega v. Propane Retailer, et. al. (Mississippi)
Facts: Three young children were badly burned when a cat with a litter somehow caused a fuel shutoff valve improperly placed in a wall was opened allowing gas to leak into the home. The children came home from school and the oldest start to cook an afternoon snack. When she lit the stove the leaked gas exploded. The case was defended by the retailer on the basis that it was not a propane gas explosion.
Settlement: The case was settled resulting in a $6,000,000+
Goehring v. Flying J, et. al. (Idaho)
Facts: Client purchased a 100 pound propane cylinder to provide heat to his house following a storm that knocked the power out to his residence. He took the cylinder home, placed it on the floor and left for two hours. When he returned, he smelled gas and attempted to carry the cylinder out of the house. When he picked up the cylinder, the home exploded.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm obtained confidential settlements on behalf of its client.
Booker v. Propane Retailer, et. al. (Michigan)
Facts: Mr. Booker sustained serious burns in a propane gas explosion caused by leaking propane gas. The case was based on negligent failure to warn, including the failure to warn about gas detectors. The case was defended by the retailer by blaming the client for the leak.
Arbitration: The case was tried in state ordered binding arbitration resulting in a $1,500,000 arbitration award.
Swanton v. Defendants (Kansas)
Facts: Three children received serious burns in a propane gas explosion in Kansas. The case was based on negligent failure to warn, negligent testing of the property, and negligent inspection of the property.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm obtained a substantial confidential settlement for the children. The settlement amount, however, was limited due to Kansas caps on lawsuits.
Krueger v. Propane Retailer, et. al. (Minnesota)
Facts: Mr. Krueger received serious burns in a propane gas explosion in Minnesota. The case was based on negligent failure to warn, including the need for gas detectors and negligent inspections of the propane gas system.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm obtained a $1,800,000 settlement for Mr. Krueger.
Freeland v. Ferrellgas (Michigan)
Facts: A retired couple was burned in a propane gas explosion in Michigan. The husband died as a result of the burns received in the explosion. The wife survived, but she sustained critical burns. The case was based on negligent failure to warn about the defects of odorized propane as well as the retailer’s failure to respond to numerous calls by the Freelands regarding gas leaks.
Arbitration: The case was tried in state ordered binding arbitration resulting in a $8,300,000 arbitration award.
Countryman, et. al. v. Iowa Double Circle, et. al. (Iowa)
Facts: Seven people were killed, and many others were seriously injured during a family gathering in Richland, Iowa. The home that was the gathering place for the family and friends exploded due to the accumulation of propane gas. The case was based on the negligent failure to warn concerning the dangers of propane and the reasonable measures to take to ameliorate those dangers.
Settlement: Settlement was reached against the propane retailer for the policy limits of $5,000,000 and with the homeowner for $1,300,000. The wholesalers and pipeline settled for a significant confidential amount prior to the start of trial. Trial began against Lennox, the appliance manufacturer, before the case was settled for a substantial confidential amount during voir dire. The press reported total settlements of approximately $17,000,000.
In addition the District Court dismissed during the case a wholesaler based upon the limited liability statute. This was appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court which resulted in a reversal finding that a managing partner to a limited liability corporation can be personally liable.
Bach v. Sapp Bros, et. al. (Iowa)
Facts: Client purchased a 100 pound propane cylinder to provide heat to his house he was building. The cylinder leaked in the unfinished basement.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm obtained a confidential settlement on behalf of its client with main defendants before trial.
Wickenkamp v. Gas Company
Fact: A gas explosion occurred near Oskaloosa when the father of a minor boy was attempting to transfer propane from a larger cylinder to a smaller cylinder. Suit was filed based upon failure of the propane gas retailer to adequately warn regarding the dangers of transferring propane from one cylinder to another.
Settlement: After a week’s trial in Polk County District Court a substantial confidential settlement was reached.
Lawson v. Coop, et. al. (Minnesota)
Facts: Mrs. Lawson was killed in her sleep from a propane gas explosion. The case against the retailer was brought based on negligent failure to warn concerning the dangers of odorized propane. The warning odor will not warn a sleeping person.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm obtained a significant confidential settlement for Mr. Lawson.
Mahr v. Coop, et. al. (Minnesota)
Facts: Mr. Mahr was critically burned in a propane gas explosion in a winter cabin in Wisconsin. The case against the retailer was brought based on negligent failure to warn concerning the dangers of odorized propane.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm obtained a significant confidential settlement for Mr. Mahr.
Amberson v. Red Lake Coop, et. al. (Minnesota)
Facts: Mr and Mrs. Amberson, both Native Americans, received burns in a propane gas explosion in Minnesota. The case was brought against based on negligent failure to warn concerning the dangers of odorized propane. There were no lost wages, and there was little by wage of medical treatment. There were also significant issues of comparative fault.
Settlement: Settlement was reached for approximately $600,000.
Wyndham v. _____
Facts: A railroad shock absorber exploded, spewing flaming gases over the client, resulting in severe burn injuries. The McEwen Law Firm pursued the case on the theory of product defect, claiming the shock absorber had a defective design. The case was defended on the grounds that they blamed the victim for his own fault in causing the incident.
Settlement: A $1.5 Million settlement was reached after a two week trial in federal court in Omaha.
Bennett v. Propane Retailer (Minnesota)
Facts: Mr. Bennett suffered carbon monoxide poisoning after an animal was found in the propane system at his residence. The animal acted like a cork in the propane system, blocking the escape of harmful carbon monoxide fumes to the chimney.
Settlement: A confidential six-figure settlement was reached on behalf of Mr. Bennett.
Devore v. Retailer, et. al. (Iowa)
Facts: A 17 year old youth died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning while camping. A propane heater was defective, resulting in the release of excessive amounts of carbon monoxide. Defendants failed to warn users of its product the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning in the camping setting.
Settlement: Settlements in excess of $400,000+ were obtained for the client of The McEwen Law Firm.
Trenton v. Defendant (Iowa)
Facts: A young boy had been burned by an electrical shock in approximately 1995. The claim was predicated on the fact that the power company in making installation of the power line stretched and pulled the electrical lines at the house, causing a short, which in turn caused an electrical fire in the garage.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm obtained a settlement for the boy of $1,500,000.
Windom v. Defendants (Nebraska Federal Court Trial)
Facts: Our client was injured when a shock absorber malfunctioned, causing injury.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm secured a $1,500,000.00 after one and a half weeks of trial in federal court in Nebraska.
Estate of Ryan v. Defendants (Iowa)
Facts: Mr. Ryan lost his life, and another co-worker was severely and permanently injured when an anhydrous ammonia tank ruptured. The tank ruptured due to a defective weld, and it had been inadequately inspected over the years. Plaintiffs sued the various defendants on a failure to warn theory.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict of $9.6 Million, including nearly $4 Million for the wrongful death claim.
Devore v. Retailer, et. al. (Iowa)
Facts: A 17 year old youth died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning while camping. A propane heater was defective, resulting in the release of excessive amounts of carbon monoxide. Defendants failed to warn users of its product the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning in the camping setting.
Settlement: Settlements in excess of $400,000+ were obtained for the client of The McEwen Law Firm.
Freeland v. Ferrellgas (Michigan)
Facts: A retired couple was burned in a propane gas explosion in Michigan. The husband died as a result of the burns received in the explosion. The wife survived, but she sustained critical burns. The case was based on negligent failure to warn about the defects of odorized propane as well as the retailer’s failure to respond to numerous calls by the Freelands regarding gas leaks.
Arbitration: The case was tried in state ordered binding arbitration resulting in a $8,300,000 arbitration award.
Countryman, et. al. v. Iowa Double Circle, et. al. (Iowa)
Facts: Seven people were killed, and many others were seriously injured during a family gathering in Richland, Iowa. The home that was the gathering place for the family and friends exploded due to the accumulation of propane gas. The case was based on the negligent failure to warn concerning the dangers of propane and the reasonable measures to take to ameliorate those dangers.
Settlement: Settlement was reached against the propane retailer for the policy limits of $5,000,000 and with the homeowner for $1,300,000. The wholesalers and pipeline settled for a significant confidential amount prior to the start of trial. Trial began against Lennox, the appliance manufacturer, before the case was settled for a substantial confidential amount during voir dire. The press reported total settlements of approximately $17,000,000.
In addition the District Court dismissed during the case a wholesaler based upon the limited liability statute. This was appealed to the Iowa Supreme Court which resulted in a reversal finding that a managing partner to a limited liability corporation can be personally liable.
Lawson v. Coop, et. al. (Minnesota)
Facts: Mrs. Lawson was killed in her sleep from a propane gas explosion. The case against the retailer was brought based on negligent failure to warn concerning the dangers of odorized propane. The warning odor will not warn a sleeping person.
Settlement: The McEwen Law Firm obtained a significant confidential settlement for Mr. Lawson.
Client Testimonials
“Greg, I want to thank you and Don and your entire staff for the work you did on behalf of myself and Bob. When we first met, you said you wanted to provide security for Bob. I certainly feel that you have done that. I know it wasn’t easy. Thank you for driving to Lakefield and helping us out. Bob just keeps on improving a little at a time. “He’s fishing now.” Mom is doing good. Bob says they’ll be some signing of some papers yet and I’ll be seeing you then but for now thank you.”
– Marv
“Just a note to say thank you to each of you for everything you have done for Larry and I. Special thank you for every penny you got for us. We’re just old country farm folks so not used to having much. You guys are great!”
-Larry & Carol Fyhrie
Greg and Arlene,
“What a fantastic result! Thank you for all of your hard work. Enclosed please find the executed disbursal summary. Keep up the good work”
-Amy S.
Dear Greg & Arlene,
“This is a long overdue thank you note. I always think I’m going to have more time tomorrow, but it doesn’t happen. Then I remember the check is our retirement fund. I want to thank you for the diligent effort to make things happier and I admire you for your strong beliefs and proceeding even though there were many ups and downs. I have a lot of respect for you and your office staff. “
-Dave & Jan Roseen
“Thanks again for everything you have done for us. This has been a challenging time in our lives. Just knowing you were on our side, has made all the difference. “
-Al & Julie Borg
Dear Greg & Associates,
“We are sending yellow roses in loving memory of our mother and to thank you all for the great work you did for our family. Thanks again.”
-The Gribbon Family
Dear Greg,
“Brian and I want to thank you again for taking on our case and for all your help. We appreciate all the time Kathleen and you put in on it. You both were so helpful and reassuring.”
-Brian and Beverly Schwandt
Dear Greg,
“I wanted to thank you and all of your associates for all the hard work in closing Doug’s case. I believe that God sent you to me because one day there you were. Thank you again from all of us.”
-Darlene Woodhull
If you were involved in an accident or otherwise sustained burn injuries, it is important to speak to a burn injury attorney as soon as possible. Please call the best US Burn Injury Attorneys at McEwen & Kestner today for a free consultation – (800) 732-3070, or fill out our FREE, no obligation case review form.
Our Nationwide Lawyers have won over $500 Million for our Clients.
