Burns are painful, slow to heal, and often leave disfiguring scars. In severe cases, burn wounds require intensive medical intervention, and victims may suffer from the physical and psychological impact of their injuries for the rest of their lives.
If you suffered burns in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, speak with an experienced attorney about your legal right to compensation. A Suwanee burn injury lawyer could guide you through the process of holding the negligent parties accountable for the harm they caused you.
Types and Degrees of Burn Wounds
Burns are categorized by the severity and depth of the damage to the skin. First-degree burns affect only the outer layer, with second-degree wounds penetrating deeper into the skin. Third-degree burns damage all skin layers and might impact the underlying tissues and structures. Treating third-degree burns often requires skin grafts.
Besides degrees of severity, burns can also be categorized by what causes them. Thermal burns are those that result from contact with an external heat source. These injuries include scalding, which results from contact with hot liquid, and burns from exposure to a hot surface, flame, or steam.
Other common types of burns include:
- Radiation burns, resulting from excessive sun exposure, X-rays, or other forms of radiation
- Electrical burns from direct exposure to electrical currents
- Chemical burns from exposure to acids, strong detergents, or solvents
- Friction burns, such as road rash or rope burn
How do Burn Injuries Occur?
Fires, particularly house fires, are the most common cause of burn injuries in the United States. There are many potential causes of house fires, but according to the National Fire Protection Association, some of the most common causes include:
- Cooking mishaps
- Malfunctioning or misused heating equipment
- Electrical issues
- Smoking
- Candles
Besides house fires, many burn injuries occur in motor vehicle crashes or construction site accidents, such as explosions or unintended exposure to caustic substances. Regardless of the specific scenario, an experienced attorney could evaluate the incident that led to a burn and determine whether negligence was a factor. If so, the burn victim could pursue damages from the negligent party or parties.
Burn Injury Claims in Suwanee
Severe burns require significant recovery time, and an injured person might wish to focus on healing in the months immediately after suffering a serious burn. However, it is crucial to consult legal counsel as soon as possible after a burn injury, as there are deadlines for bringing claims for compensation.
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated §9-3-33 requires injured people to file a lawsuit seeking damages within two years of the accident that caused the injury. If the State of Georgia or local government within the state is potentially liable, an injured person only has six months to notify the responsible government entity of their claim.
Failure to meet these strict deadlines could prevent an injured person from receiving the compensation they deserve. A dedicated burn attorney could preserve the rights of injured Suwanee residents by helping them file their claims within the deadlines.
Call a Suwanee Burn Injury Attorney for Dedicated Representation
Coping with the physical, emotional, and financial consequences of a severe burn injury may leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed. Reach out to a capable advocate who could guide you through the legal process and handle your case while you focus on your recovery. The sooner you reach out, the more time your attorney has to build the strongest possible claim on your behalf.