Burn injuries are one of the most common forms of injury in the United States. They can range from relatively mild first-degree burns—like a bad sunburn—to severe third-degree burns that destroy not only the outer layer of skin but also the whole layer underneath. Sustaining a burn injury can be overwhelming. Typically, the event that causes the burn happens very quickly, giving you very little time to process what is happening. You can be left feeling anxious and confused as to what to do next.
Luckily, Greensboro residents are only an hour away from one of the best burn treatment centers in the country. In 2016, the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill was named one of the biggest and best comprehensive burn centers in the world. In tandem with the Burn Center, a Greensboro burn injury lawyer can help you through your recovery process financially by evaluating all possible sources of compensation. Work with a compassionate and capable catastrophic injury attorney that could fight for you.
Damages Available to Burn Victims
When someone believes another was responsible for their burn, they should contact a Greensboro burn injury attorney as soon as possible. They may be able to recover money damages for a burn injury that resulted from the negligent act or omission of a third party. Common types of damages stemming from a burn injury include:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of wages (and future wages)
- Impaired bodily movement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
North Carolina does not place a cap on how much an individual can recover for a personal injury claim for a burn injury, but it should be noted that under North Carolina Code Section 1-52, they have three years to bring a personal injury claim. If it has been longer than three years, they may be barred from bringing a legal action.
For a free legal consultation with a burn injury lawyer serving Greensboro, call (800)785-5000
Proving Negligence in Greensboro
In North Carolina, to establish that a third party was negligent, a person must prove four elements:
- The third party owed the victim a duty of care
- The third party breached this duty
- The third party caused the injury (must be the proximate cause)
- The claimant suffered actual damages
A burn injury lawyer can help someone determine whether they have a valid personal injury claim. An attorney can work with them to establish causation, which is one of the first steps in determining whether someone else was at-fault and crucial when seeking any type of compensation. A personal injury compensation will require Greensboro personal injury lawyers.
North Carolina has adopted the “contributory negligence” rule, which essentially prohibits a person from recovering any damages if they were partially to blame for the injury. Thus, even if someone established that all four elements have been met, there is still a chance they will not be able to recover any compensation. Working with a Greensboro burn injury lawyer may give someone a greater chance at bringing a successful claim.
Greensboro Burn Injury Lawyer Near Me (800)785-5000
Contacting a Greensboro Burn Injury Attorney
If you are one of the thousands of people who suffer from a burn injury every year in North Carolina, contact a Greensboro burn injury lawyer as soon as possible. A qualified attorney can help communicate with your doctors, insurance companies, and third parties so that you can focus on recovering.
Call (800)785-5000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form