Burns can be among the most devastating and life-altering types of traumatic injuries. According to the American Burn Association, an estimated 486,000 people suffer burn injuries each year, which is one burn injury every 65 seconds. These injuries can range from moderate to severe burns often causing serious complications and requiring urgent treatment.
The physical pain, emotional scars, and long-term effects of a serious burn injury can impact every aspect of a person’s life. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury in Kentucky, a skilled Louisville burn injury lawyer can be vital in providing the necessary guidance you need to get the compensation and support you deserve.
Find out how Thomas Law Offices can help.
What You Need to Know About Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can range from minor to severe and can be the result of a variety of causes, including fires, explosions, chemical contact, and electrical accidents. Burn severities are typically classified based on the depth and extent of the damage to the skin and underlying tissue.
Of the four degrees of burn classifications, the degree of burn you’ve suffered will be a significant factor in your lawsuit and the compensation you may receive.
The degrees of burns include:
- First-degree burns, or superficial burns, harm the outermost layer of skin. These burns may cause pain, include skin reddening, and generally heal in just a few days.
- Second-degree burns are burns to the top two layers of skin. They generally cause blisters and take longer to recover from than first-degree burns. In some cases, second-degree burns may require skin grafting.
- Third-degree burns reach the deepest layers of skin and the tissues. Third-degree burns will require medical care and a longer recovery time, which may include pain management and skin grafting.
- Fourth-degree burns are a more severe form of third-degree burns and can cause nerve, ligament, muscle, and tendon damage. Fourth-degree burns are the most severe and can be fatal.
The severity of a burn impacts not only the immediate treatment that’s required but also has long-term implications on the ability for recovery and rehabilitation. Severe burns will often require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and extended amounts of physical therapy.
The recovery process can be prolonged, painful, and physically and emotionally difficult.
Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can happen in many different places and situations. If you’ve been injured, understanding these causes is crucial in determining liability (who’s at fault) and pursuing compensation. Some common causes of burn injuries include:
Fire and Explosion Accidents
Fires and explosions are among the most common causes of burn injuries. These can occur in residential settings, workplaces, or public spaces. The aftermath of these accidents can result in significant property damage and personal injuries. For example, a house fire caused by faulty wiring or a car accident that leads to an explosion can cause severe burns that require extensive medical treatment and recovery.
According to the United States Fire Administration, the majority of injury-causing fires are house fires from home cooking equipment. They also report that only three-quarters of all homes have at least one working smoke alarm.
Chemical Burns
Exposure to caustic chemicals can result in severe chemical burns, which may occur in various environments, most often industrial workplaces, laboratories, or even household settings.
Spills, leaks, or improper handling or storage of dangerous materials like acids, alkalis, or other corrosives often cause chemical burns. Damages and severity of chemical burns will often depend on the type of chemicals involved and the duration of the exposure.
Electrical Burns
Electrical burns are often a byproduct of electrocution and happen when someone comes in direct contact with an electric current. These burns can result from faulty wiring, malfunctioning electrical products, or contact with live electrical wires.
Electrical burns can severely damage both the skin and internal tissues and often require immediate medical attention and long-term care and rehabilitation.
Scalding
Burns from hot liquids or steam, known as scalds, often happen in domestic and workplace accidents, especially when handling hot beverages, cooking liquids, or working with steam in industrial processes.
Scalds can result in intensely painful injuries that require extensive medical treatment and surgeries to address.
The Impact of Burn Injuries
According to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS), there were 29,165 hospital admissions for burn injuries in 2020. Fifteen thousand two hundred eighty were considered minor injuries, while 9,340 were classified as deep burns, requiring surgical treatment.
These injuries can have profound and far-reaching effects on a person’s life. Beyond the immediate pain and expensive medical treatments, burn victims often face long-term challenges that can affect their physical, emotional, and financial well-being.
Physical Impact
Severe burns often cause significant damage, including scarring, loss of function, and physical disfigurement. Recovery can require multiple surgeries, including skin grafts and reconstructive efforts.
The physical impact of these injuries can also lead to long-term complications such as wound infections, decreased mobility, and chronic severe pain.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
Burn injuries can also have a significant emotional and psychological impact. Victims may experience trauma, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The visible effects of burn injuries, such as scarring and disfigurement, can lead to a loss of self-esteem and difficulties in social interactions and relationships.
Psychological support and counseling are often a necessary part of the recovery process.
Financial Impact
The financial burden of burn injuries can be substantial, with medical expenses for treatment, surgeries, and rehabilitation quickly becoming overwhelming.
Burn victims may also face lost wages due to an inability to work during recovery. The long-term recovery that’s often required for burn injuries can mean that ongoing medical care and support are necessary, further increasing the financial strain.
Legal Considerations in Burn Injury Cases
Taking legal action for a burn injury requires an in-depth understanding of legal complexities like liability and compensation. Proving who was at fault for an injury and the amount of economic and non-economic losses that can be claimed are critical parts of the legal process.
To pursue a burn injury claim, you must establish liability, proving that someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing caused your injury. This typically involves investigating the circumstances leading to the burn injury, reviewing the accepted safety protocols, and checking for any potential equipment failures.
In a case involving multiple parties, like a workplace accident due to defective machinery, liability may be shared among several individuals or entities. A thorough investigation is a critical step in identifying all responsible parties and ensuring that they’re held accountable for their actions. A skilled Louisville burn injury lawyer will be able to help with this task.
Types of Compensation
Burn injury victims may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the case’s specifics. Compensation can include:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for past and future medical costs related to the burn injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to an inability to work during recovery. This may also include future lost earnings if the injury reduces earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the burn injury. This accounts for the overall impact on the victim’s quality of life.
- Property Damage: If the burn injury was caused by an incident resulting in property damage, compensation may be sought for repairs or replacement of damaged property.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional wrongdoing, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
The Role of a Louisville Burn Injury Lawyer
The complex legalities of a burn injury case require expertise and a thorough understanding of both the legal and medical aspects of the injuries involved. A Louisville burn injury lawyer will play a crucial role in managing the complexities of your case, meeting legal deadlines and requirements, and advocating for your rights.
At Thomas Law Offices, our experienced lawyers will comprehensively investigate your accident to gather evidence, consult with medical professionals, and build a strong case for your maximum compensation. We’ll handle all aspects of the legal process, including negotiations with insurance companies and representing you in court if necessary.
Our attorneys provide valuable support and guidance throughout recovery, helping you and your family understand your rights and options. By working with one of our knowledgeable attorneys, you can focus on your healing while they handle the legal challenges.
Burn injuries can have a life-altering impact on your life. The physical, emotional, and financial challenges that often follow severe burns require careful consideration and experienced support.
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury in Kentucky, you should seek the help of an experienced burn injury lawyer to work towards achieving the compensation and justice you and your family deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
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