Whenever one person or party causes injury or damage to another, the injured party can seek compensation for their losses through a personal injury lawsuit. The value of a personal injury case typically reflects the extent of the plaintiff’s injuries, the lasting effects, and the financial burden caused by the injury. Painful injuries entailing more extensive recovery processes typically yield higher case awards to cover the damages. Burn injury cases are typically more extensive because not only are they incredibly painful, they often lead to long-term problems for victims.
The right attorney can make a difference in a South Carolina burn injury case. People who have suffered injuries due to the negligence or dangerous actions of others can seek compensation for their medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and property damage through lawsuits. However, it’s important to hire a Charleston burn injury lawyer who can explore all avenues of compensation, especially after an injury as devastating as a severe burn. This is what HawkLaw can do for you.
Burn Injuries and Their Effects
Doctors and health care professionals classify burn injuries based on their severity using a degree scale. Here’s a breakdown of the different classifications:
- First-Degree Burns. This is the least severe type of burn, typically only affecting the outermost layer of skin. Most people can effectively treat first-degree burns using conventional over-the-counter burn ointment and bandages, but burns to sensitive body parts or over large regions of the body require medical attention.
- Second-Degree Burns are more serious and penetrate deeper into the underlying layers of skin, requiring immediate medical care.
- Third-Degree Burns extend to all layers of the skin. This type of burn will typically not heal without medical assistance.
- Fourth-Degree Burns. This type of burn are the most severe. Like third-degree this classification extends through all of the skin layers, but might also affect the underlying bones or other soft tissues.
What are the Most Common Causes of Burns?
In order for doctors to successfully treat a burn injury, it’s important to know the actual cause of the burn. There are many typical sources, such as:
- Thermal (direct heat)
- Scalding (steam, hot water)
- Electrical
- Chemical Radiation
Long-Term Complications
Significant burns can easily damage mobility and reduce sensation in the affected areas. For example, a burn over the entirety of the arm can impair the victim’s range of motion with that arm or make fine motor functions more difficult. A severe hand burn can prevent the victim from writing efficiently.
Whenever plaintiffs sue for damages in personal injury lawsuits, their attorneys will ask for an award commensurate with their clients’ damages. Most personal injury awards include:
- Medical expenses. Plaintiffs can sue for their hospital bills, prescription costs, surgery fees, and the costs of any necessary ongoing treatments such as physical therapy.
- Pain and suffering. Although this may seem difficult to quantify in monetary figures, a judge will consider the evidence of the case and the testimony of expert witnesses to determine the degree of physical pain and emotional trauma the plaintiff experienced. The judge will then award an appropriate amount.
- Lost income. Plaintiffs who are forced to miss work for an extended period can sue for the wages he or she would have earned in that time. Plaintiffs who are unable to resume work due to injuries can sue for the income he or she would have reasonably expected to earn in the future.
Most people understand how devastating a severe burn injury can be and the long-term complications burn victims may experience. Chemical burns can also cause respiratory issues and brain damage. Electrical burns damage the nerves and may even lead to cardiac complications. Radiation burns, even sunburn, can lead to various cancers. All burn injuries require careful medication, attention, and thorough care. Injured victims should know their rights and their options for legal recourse.
Charleston Burn Injury Lawyers– Free Consultations*
In order to find out how we can help in your case, contact our Charleston burn injury lawyers at HawkLaw today for a free consultation* about your burn injury case in Charleston, Mount Pleasant or the surrounding areas. Burn injuries can be devastating, but it’s possible to recover more fully with effective medical treatment and financial compensation for the resulting expenses. Call us today! (843) 429-5529 or use our contact form.
