Greenville Burn Injury LawyerÂ
Burns are very painful when they happen, and the disfiguring scars and marks they leave behind can be even worse. If you or a family member suffered a burn injury due to someone’s carelessness, you should talk to a Greenville burn injury lawyer who has handled many burn cases and knows how to fight for your rights.
Burns can be caused by fire, hot liquids, electricity, or chemicals, among other things. The consequences can range from discomfort to a life-threatening emergency. Seek the counsel of a compassionate catastrophic injury attorney that can advocate for you, and can attempt to hold the responsible parties accountable.
Severity of Burns
The degree of severity of most burns is based on the size and depth of the burn. Electrical burns can be more difficult to diagnose because they’re capable of causing significant injury beneath the skin without showing any signs of damage on the surface. Deep or widespread burns and chemical or electrical burns need immediate medical care, often at specialized burn units.
One of the most important steps to take is to get a thorough medical examination as soon as possible after the injury, both for medical reasons and to provide documentation that can be offered later in court. The victim should also fully document any rehabilitation that must be undergone, to show both the financial cost and the emotional cost of the injury.
Types of Injuries
There are three types of burns, first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns. First-degree burns are relatively mild but still require medical attention. Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and the dermis, which is the lower layer of skin. Third-degree burns go through the dermis entirely and damage deeper tissues.
Third-degree burns often happen when individuals are trapped in a structure that caught fire. A searching inquiry is required into such situations. Finding the cause of the fire is obviously critical. It cannot be emphasized enough, that no matter the severity of an individual’s burns, they should seek medical treatment afterward.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
It is crucial to find out whether all possible safety precautions – especially the ones required by local fire codes – were followed. A Greenville burn injury lawyer will ask the important questions, like, were the sprinklers and smoke detectors functioning properly? Were all the fire exits clearly marked and accessible?
In the case of a single-family dwelling, it may be true that the home was built with substandard materials that were not as fire-retardant as they should have been. Faulty electrical wiring is also a leading cause of fires.
Not all burn injuries happen because of large-scale fires, however. Many people suffer burns while cooking, due to defective stoves or other kitchen appliances. Defective containers that were intended to hold hot foods or beverages are also a cause of burns.
If a person is injured by a product that was sold commercially, the manufacturer of that product can be held strictly liable. A Greenville burn injury attorney can help a person win damages without a specific showing of negligence by the manufacturers, as long as the product was being used the way it was intended, and all applicable instructions and warnings were followed.
Burn Injury Costs
The long-term impact of burn injuries can be devastating:
- Limbs that may never be fully functional again
- Skin and other body parts that are permanently disfigured
- Long-term psychological and emotional distress
The medical costs that follow serious burn injuries can be devastating for the typical family, especially if months or years of care is required.
Even if the victim was partially at fault, they can still win compensation if negligence on the part of the landlord, manufacturer or other defendant was also partially responsible for the accident.
Speaking with a Greenville Burn Injury Attorney Today
The harm caused by a serious burn can last for years. Not only must an individual endure physical pain while healing, they must also deal with the psychological pain that can result from a burn injury. If you have sustained serious injuries as the result of a fire, you should talk to a Greenville burn injury lawyer immediately. Work with a qualified burn injury attorney that can help you seek justice and get the compensation you deserve.
