Burns can be severe and life-altering injuries. These types of wounds can leave a victim permanently scarred and require expensive medical procedures to treat. If another person caused you or a family member a severe burn, you may be wondering about your options for legal recourse.
A Marietta burn injury lawyer could help you hold the at-fault person accountable for their negligent actions. With help from an experienced attorney, a civil lawsuit could be the key to securing the compensation you need to recover from your losses.
Common Causes of Burns
Burns from exposure to high heat (thermal burns) are the most common types of burn injuries. These often result from a fire or objects that produce temperatures greater than 115 degrees Fahrenheit, such as kitchen stoves and appliances, hot pans or oil, or scalding hot liquids. These burns can also occur during a car accident or other motor vehicle collision.
Electrical Burns
Electrical burns are common workplace accidents, especially among those who work directly with electricity or high-voltage electrical devices. This type of burn may not produce alarming external injuries at first. However, victims of electrical burns often suffer internal damage which could lead to further serious injuries.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns can result from exposure to caustic substances, such as acid or lye. Contact with highly acidic or highly alkaline products can produce permanent scarring and could lead to further complications, just as other types of burn injuries can.
Radiation Burns
Most people are familiar with sunburns, which are a very common type of radiation burn. However, other radioactive devices can cause this type of burn to appear, sometimes long after the initial procedure took place. X-rays and radiation treatments for cancer may produce burn injuries if prolonged exposure occurs or if the dosage was not appropriate for the patient.
The Importance of Seeking Medical Treatment for Burns
While some burns are mild and treatable at home, more severe injuries require immediate medical attention. Burns are categorized by degrees of severity, depending on how deep the damage is to the layers of skin.
First and Second-Degree Burns
Victims of first and second-degree burns are generally able to fully recover from their injuries. First-degree burns only impact the top layer of skin, potentially causing redness and some pain.
Second-degree burns impact the deeper layers of skin and can cause the surface to turn red and blister. These wounds can be painful, and it is wise to seek medical treatment.
Third and Fourth-Degree Burns
Third and fourth-degree burns require immediate treatment, as these wounds impact deep into the layers of skin and can damage the underlying tissues and muscles. Both third and fourth-degree burns may result in an open wound. Third-degree burns reach through the skin to the fatty tissue and can cause the skin to appear typically red, dry, and leathery.
Fourth-degree burns reach through the skin and fatty tissue and cause damage to the muscle and potentially bone. A fourth-degree burn victim’s nerve endings may be destroyed, resulting in a loss of feeling.
Both third and fourth-degree burns may require skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. Additionally, these conditions can cause permanent damage and require life-long rehabilitation. As such, a burn victim and their family should consult with a dedicated lawyer at our Marietta office for help recovering compensation to cover these costs.
Compensation for Burn Injuries
A burn accident can place a significant financial strain on you and your family as you recover from your injuries. If your injuries are severe enough to require hospitalization, you may face additional medical expenses and anxiety about how you're going to pay for them. Your personal injury claim could result in compensation for these losses and more. A settlement in a burn injury case may award both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages may include your past and future medical expenses related to the accident, lost wages and earnings, and damage to personal property.
Non-economic damages include compensation for your pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and emotional distress.
Additionally, in some cases, punitive damages may be awarded to deter the at-fault party from future negligence.
Consult an experienced Marietta personal injury attorney for more information about what losses you can potentially recover for your burn injury.
Bringing a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Marietta
If someone causes an accident that leads to another person's burn injuries, the victim can bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party for damages. However, it can be difficult to prove liability for injuries, so it is best to work with an experienced local attorney who handles burn lawsuits.
The Statute of Limitations and Personal Injury Accident
Additionally, there are time limits for recovering damages in a civil claim. Under Georgia Code §9-3-33, a plaintiff must bring their lawsuit within two years of the incident that caused their burn. The court may refuse to hear any lawsuits brought after two years. As such, burn victims should reach out to nearby legal counsel for help filing their claims within these deadlines.
Why You Need a Marietta Personal Injury Attorney
If you've suffered a burn injury in Marietta, you need a personal injury law firm experienced with these types of personal injury cases. Our law firm takes your injuries seriously and will work fastidiously for your right to collect compensation. Our Marietta attorneys have the experience, resources, and knowledge of the legal system necessary to pursue your burn injury case diligently.
An experienced Marietta burn injury lawyer can assist your burn injury claim by:
- Communicating with the insurance company
- Negotiating to get you a fair settlement
- Gathering evidence and additional documentation to support your claim
- Providing legal advice and support through a difficult time
- If necessary, representing you in a court of law
We know that your case is unique. Our wealth of experience in dealing with similar cases allows us to treat your claim and its particular circumstances with the utmost attention. If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence, you deserve compensation for your losses, pain, and suffering. Don't hesitate to reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney today to find out what a Marietta burn injury lawyer can do for you.
Contact a Compassionate Marietta Burn Injury Attorney
Burns are traumatic injuries that may require immediate medical attention and ongoing rehabilitation. If you or a loved one have suffered a burn injury because of someone else’s actions, you could recover damages to cover all your losses related to the accident.
To discuss your legal options, contact a Marietta burn injury lawyer. An experienced attorney could help you through every step of the legal process and work tirelessly to obtain a fair amount of compensation on your behalf. Contact our firm to schedule a case evaluation today.