Rich Webster Blog

Skingrafts and Cancer

2011-02-10T07:23:00.000-08:00

When I was first burned I was told to stay out of the sun, and that I was at a higher risk for skin cancer. What I didn't understand until recently was how that skin cancer might manifest. Any sore that won't heal is something that needs to be checked out by your burn unit physician. For all these years putting lotion on my skingrafts, I never really understood what to look for on the skin itself. I guess the lesson to be learned for me was, if anything appears on your grafts that doesn't look normal - go to a burn treatment center and have it looked at by people who understand skingrafts, don't just go to your regular family doctor.

I Want To Represent You

2011-02-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

In college I studied English, then later received an MA in Rehabiliation Counseling. I never thought I'd end up as a lawyer. After getting severely burned I ended up in a lawsuit. Working with the lawyers and going through my own deposition made tremendous impression on me. I knew I had the ability to be a personal injury attorney. What pushed me over the edge was knowing I would have the chance to bring lawsuits against companies and other individuals who negligently hurt others, that is where my passion lies. Ultimately money is the way our society "makes people whole" in our legal system, but when a company changes a product because of your lawsuit, that changes the world.

Sores that won't heal...

2011-02-08T18:14:00.000-08:00

If you happen to have a sore, or scrape that won't heal over a period of time you should definately have it checked out by burn unit staff. I had such a spot on the back of my knee for a couple months. I went to my family doctor who had no real experience with burned skin. He gave me some antibiotics and said to watch it. When I finally consulted the burn unit they informed me that this could be a Marjolin's Ulcer, which could turn into an agressive form of cancer. If you have a sore like this, get it checked out!!

Rich Webster Blog

2008-02-27T14:31:00.000-08:00

Something to keep in mind when choosing an attorney for a serious burn injury is how well they understand the injury for which they are providing representation. The ability to communicate the experience of a traumatic injury to a jury or a mediator determines how effectively an attorney can represent you. Issues of credibility plague lawyers for a variety of reasons. My reason for becoming an attorney stems from my personal experience of having had a severe burn then later going through a law suit. I'm now in my 15th year as a burn survivor, and my 11th as a lawyer. I'm lucky and privileged to be representing other burn survivors and hopefully making positive changes to make products and people safer.