Maine Burn Injury Lawyer
Bigos Law represents individuals and families across Maine, New Hampshire, and Northern New England who have suffered life-changing burn injuries caused by fires, explosions, dust explosions, gas explosions, defective products, workplace incidents, and other preventable accidents. Based in Auburn, Maine, Bigos Law handles serious personal injury cases with a steady, client-centered approach that prioritizes both accountability and long-term recovery. From its offices in Auburn, Maine, and Bangor, Portland, and other locations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Northern New England, Bigos Law handles Burn injury cases, which are among the most complex types of personal injury claims, often involving extensive medical treatment, permanent scarring, and significant emotional trauma. The firm’s Maine burn injury lawyer approaches these cases with careful preparation, a strong investigative strategy, and a commitment to holding negligent parties fully responsible.
In 2023, Attorney Mike Bigos co-led a team that won a multi-eight-figure settlement in the Farmington, Maine 2019 Gas Explosion cases, which required litigation and over 10 expert witnesses and expert reports. His legal teammates since retired. Vast gas safety improvements were made following that disputed claim, improving safety for the community. Survivors of the explosion were able to recover money for catastrophic medical bills, lost wages and earning capacity, and for past and future pain and suffering and shortened life expectancy.
In 2018, Attorney Bigos also won a seven-figure award in a double-wrongful death lawsuit arising out of a 2014 apartment fire at 35 Main St., Biddeford, Maine in which a troubled teen started an external fire, however the landlord’s code violations caused two men to not escape safely after they called for help. Bigos tracked down a hard-to-find witness who spoke to the decedents when the fire broke out, documenting their escape attempts and conscious pain and suffering.
Burn injuries can occur in a wide range of circumstances, many of which are preventable. When they happen, the consequences often extend far beyond the initial trauma. Victims may face multiple surgeries, skin grafts, rehabilitation, infection risks, and long-term disability. In severe cases, burn injuries can impact mobility, employment, independence, and overall quality of life. Bigos Law understands the depth of these challenges and works to ensure that clients are not left carrying the financial and emotional burden alone.
Understanding Burn Injury Cases in Maine
Burn injury cases in Maine often involve more than a single act of negligence. They can stem from product design flaws, unsafe property conditions, workplace safety violations, or failures to follow basic fire safety protocols. Each case requires a careful examination of how the injury occurred and who had a duty to prevent it.
Common causes of burn injuries include:
- Residential or commercial fires caused by faulty wiring or neglected maintenance
- Defective consumer products such as lithium-ion batteries, heaters, or appliances
- Motor vehicle collisions involving fuel fires or explosions
- Industrial or construction site accidents involving flammable materials
- Chemical burns resulting from unsafe handling or improper storage
- Gas leaks or propane-related explosions
In each scenario, the key legal question is whether a person, business, or manufacturer failed to act reasonably and whether that failure directly caused the harm. Bigos Law conducts detailed investigations to identify every responsible party and build a strong foundation for recovery.
Types of Burn Injuries and Their Impact
Burn injuries are typically classified by degrees of severity, and each level presents different medical and legal implications. First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin and may heal relatively quickly. Second-degree burns penetrate deeper and often cause blistering, severe pain, and potential scarring. Third-degree burns destroy multiple layers of skin and may damage nerves, sometimes resulting in permanent loss of sensation or function. Fourth-degree burns extend into muscle and bone and are often life-threatening.
Beyond the physical damage, burn injuries frequently lead to psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and social withdrawal. The recovery process can be long and uncertain, requiring ongoing care and support. These factors are central to how Bigos Law evaluates damages in a burn injury claim.
Investigating Dust Explosion, Gas Explosion, and Fire Accidents in Maine
Burn injury cases often depend on technical investigation. Determining the origin of a fire or explosion may require fire marshal reports, engineering analysis, product testing, and witness statements. In many cases, evidence must be preserved quickly before it is altered or destroyed.
Bigos Law works with qualified investigators and technical professionals to reconstruct what happened and why. This may include reviewing cause and origin analysis, fire protection engineering, electrical systems, examining product components, or analyzing workplace safety logs. In product liability cases, the firm may also investigate whether manufacturers failed to warn consumers of known dangers or whether a safer alternative design was available.
Bigos Law employs the best expert witnesses in the country on NFPA gas and fire safety code violations, OSHA code violations, building code violations, FMCSA and DOT transportation violations, and burn care medicine, and burn care life care planning.
Mike personally owns copies of several NFPA code books, and Total Burn Care, a seminal textbook for burn care medicine that medical schools use.
This level of detail is particularly important in catastrophic injury cases, where insurance companies and corporate defendants often attempt to limit responsibility or shift blame. A thorough, evidence-based approach helps ensure that the full story is presented clearly and accurately.
Compensation Available in Maine Burn Injury Claims
Burn injury victims in Maine may be entitled to compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. These cases often involve substantial damages due to the severity and long-term nature of the injuries. Compensation may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation
- Future medical treatment and long-term care needs
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and psychological harm
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In particularly severe cases, punitive damages may be available when conduct is especially reckless or egregious. Bigos Law evaluates every aspect of a client’s losses to ensure that any claim reflects the full impact of the injury.
Burn Injury Claims and Workplace Accidents
Many serious burn injuries occur in workplace environments, including construction sites, manufacturing facilities, and industrial settings. While workers’ compensation may provide some benefits, it does not always cover the full scope of damages, especially when third-party negligence is involved.
For example, a defective piece of equipment manufactured by one company and used by another may give rise to a separate product liability claim. Similarly, subcontractors or property owners may bear responsibility for unsafe conditions that led to the fire or explosion. Bigos Law carefully reviews workplace burn injury cases to identify all potential avenues for recovery beyond workers’ compensation.
Product Liability and Defective Fire-Related Products
Defective products are a significant source of burn injuries nationwide. Lithium-ion batteries, space heaters, power tools, and household appliances can all pose serious risks when improperly designed or manufactured. In some cases, products may lack adequate warnings or safety features.
Bigos Law handles product liability cases involving fire-related defects by examining product design, manufacturing processes, and corporate safety records. These cases often require coordination with engineers and product safety professionals to demonstrate how the defect contributed to the injury.
Why Legal Representation Matters in Burn Injury Cases
Burn injury claims are rarely straightforward. Insurance companies often dispute liability or attempt to minimize the severity of injuries. Medical documentation can be extensive, and long-term prognosis may be uncertain. For these reasons, careful legal representation is essential to ensure that victims are treated fairly. Bigos Law approaches these cases with a focus on preparation, clarity, and persistence. The firm understands how to navigate complex insurance structures, negotiate with corporate defendants, and prepare cases for trial when necessary. The goal is always to secure meaningful results that reflect the true cost of the injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after suffering a burn injury in Maine?
Seek immediate medical attention and follow all treatment recommendations. If possible, document the scene and preserve any evidence related to the cause of the injury. Avoid discussing fault with insurance companies before speaking with an attorney.
How do I know if my burn injury case involves negligence?
Negligence may exist if a person, company, or manufacturer failed to act with reasonable care and that failure caused the fire or burn injury. An investigation is usually required to determine liability.
Can I bring a claim if a defective product caused the fire?
Yes. Product manufacturers, distributors, or retailers may be held responsible if a defective product caused or contributed to a fire or explosion that resulted in injury.
What if my burn injury happened at work?
You may have a workers’ compensation claim, and in some cases, a separate third-party claim if another entity contributed to the accident. These cases often require detailed legal analysis.
How long do burn injury cases typically take to resolve?
The timeline varies depending on the severity of the injury, the complexity of the investigation, and whether the case settles or proceeds to trial. Serious cases often require time to fully evaluate long-term damages.
Contact Bigos Law
Burn injuries can alter every aspect of a person’s life, from health and mobility to financial stability and emotional well-being. Bigos Law provides guidance, advocacy, and steady representation for individuals and families facing these challenges in Maine. The firm is committed to holding negligent parties accountable and pursuing results that reflect the full scope of harm suffered.
Contact Bigos Law today for a free consultation to discuss your burn injury case and learn more about your legal options.