Burn injuries are some of the most painful and lasting injuries a victim can suffer. Some serious complications include infections, scarring, disfigurement, muscle damage and breathing problems. The impact of a burn goes beyond just physical scar tissue. Burns can also cause emotional distress, which can be very difficult to recover from. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, you should strongly consider contacting the Brunswick burn injury lawyers at Roden Law as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. We can help by conducting a detailed investigation to establish the cause of your burn injury, determine who is liable, and use our skills and resources to pursue the compensation you need. Our main focus is to get you back to the best possible health. We have decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured victims throughout Glynn County.
Contact our firm to schedule a free, no obligation legal consultation. We take cases on a contingency fee basis, so there are no upfront costs or fees for our services. You only pay us if you win.
We look forward to helping you. Call 1-844-RESULTS now.
If you’ve endured a burn injury due to another’s negligence, safeguard your health and legal rights with our free post-burn injury checklist.
Types of Burn Injuries
No two burn injuries are the same. There are several types of burn injuries that come with their own health complications. These include:
- Chemical burns – Chemical burns occur when acidic substances come in contact with the skin. These substances are usually found in an industrial setting or in common items such as household cleaners with bleach or ammonia in them. Often times, a chemical burn requires extensive washing and can progressively get worse as it continues to react to the exposed skin.
- Electrical burns – These burns happen when coming in contact with an electrical source. A high voltage electrical current can cause severe burns, skin blistering and harm internal organs and tissues. Electrical burns are usually worse than they appear, requiring immediate medical care.
- Radiation burns – These burns are caused by exposure to radiation. Sunburns are the most common type of radiation burns, followed by those caused by radiation therapy, tanning booths and exposure to high frequency microwaves. The extent of damage depends on the intensity of the radiation.
- Thermal burns – Thermal burns occur when you come in contact with heat, flames or hot objects, such as a grill, cooking pan, iron or heating appliance. These burns can also be caused by propane or natural gas explosions. Scalds are the most common type of thermal burn.
According to the American Burn Association (ABA), an estimated 486,000 burn injury victims receive hospital and emergency room treatment each year. It is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible for your burns so that you can minimize the damage. The severity of your burn will impact what treatment you will need and what complications you might deal with.
Fill out our Free Case Evaluation form to get started.
Classification of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are classified based on how deep their damage penetrates the skin. The higher the degree of the burn, the more severe the injury is. Different burns may require different forms of treatment.
First-Degree Burns
A first-degree burn damages only the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. Sunburns are an example of a first-degree burn. These burns often result in redness, swelling and pain, and usually heal within three to five days and require minimal first-aid measures.
First-degree burns can be treated by applying a cool, wet compress to the affected area or immersing the burn in cool, fresh water until the pain goes away. You should cover the burn with a clean cloth or non-adhesive bandage, but do not apply ointments or butter as this can lead to an infection.
Second-Degree Burns
A second-degree burn damages the outer and second layer of the skin, known as the dermis. Blisters may develop, the skin may appear bright red, and the pain can be severe. These burns can also appear glossy from leaking fluid and cause scarring. It usually takes two to three weeks for a second-degree burn to completely heal.
These burns can be treated by immersing the affected area in fresh, cool water or by applying a cool compress for 10 to 15 minutes. You should dry the burn with a clean cloth and cover with a sterile gauze. Further medical treatment is necessary with these kinds of burns.
Third-Degree Burns
A third-degree burn damages tissue underneath the skin, including nerves, fat, muscles and tendons. These burns are often painless because the nerves have been damaged and cause numbness. The skin is usually charred black, white or brown and may appear leathery. These burns usually take months to heal and often result in permanent disfigurement, scarring, damage to a limb and even amputation.
Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention by a trained medical professional. These burns can be treated with skin grafting, antibiotic ointments or creams, removing dead skin and tissue from the area, and intravenous fluids.
Even with the best treatment, the physical and emotional trauma of a burn injury can linger for years. Physical complications may include bacterial infections, fluid loss, breathing problems, scars or rigid areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue, and bone and joint issues. On an emotional level, burn injury victims can suffer from depression, anxiety, fear, irritability, sadness, helplessness and isolation.
At Roden Law, we understand how devastating burn injuries can be for victims and their families. The road to recovery is often lengthy and difficult. This is why we work hard on behalf of our clients to pursue the negligent party or parties responsible in order to recover maximum compensation.
Call 1-844-RESULTS now for our free consultation.
Accident-Related Burn Injuries
A burn injury can happen almost anywhere. Our Brunswick burn injury attorneys are prepared to handle a variety of burn injury cases, including those caused by:
- Vehicle crashes
- Defective products
- Workplace accidents
- Residential fires
- Gas explosions
- Electrocutions
Based on ABA’s most recent data, 3,275 deaths were attributed to fire and smoke inhalation in 2016. This total includes 2,745 fatalities from residential fires, 310 from vehicle crash fires and another 220 from other sources, such as flames, smoke inhalation, scalding and electrical fires.
After a traumatic brain injury, the last thing you want to worry about is navigating Georgia’s complicated insurance and legal system. The claims process is time-consuming and complex, so it is in your best interest to reach out to a burn injury lawyer in Brunswick to help you aggressively pursue fair compensation.
Complete our online form to find out how we can help you.
Damages Available After a Burn Injury
A burn injury victim may be able to recover damages for various types of harm. Damages for financial losses are known as economic damages while damages for non-economic hardships are known as non-economic damages. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to recover damages for:
- Past, current and future medical bills
- Loss of income
- Projected loss of earning potential
- Medical equipment, like a wheelchair
- Prescription medications
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Surgical costs for skin grafting
- Expenses related to long-term care
- Counseling services
In some rare instances, victims of a burn injury may also be entitled to punitive damages. These damages are awarded for the sole purposes of punishing the at-fault party and to prevent others from engaging in similar intentional misconduct or gross negligence.
Contact Roden Law today by calling 1-844-RESULTS.
Benefits of Working with a Burn Injury Attorney
If you have a valid case, a Brunswick burn injury attorney can be a strong advocate during the entire claims process. We know the rules and statutes of the legal system and how they apply to your case. We can also help you navigate legal paperwork, such as filing your claim within the statute of limitations.
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, including burn injury cases, is two years from the date of the incident (Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) § 9-3-33). We want to make sure that you file within the two-year deadline so that your case will not be dismissed in court. A case dismissal means that you forfeit your right to file a lawsuit and obtain compensation for your injury.
Our firm will also communicate with the insurance company on your behalf to make sure that you are not offered a quick, low-ball settlement that will not cover the pain you have experienced. Insurers are only interested in lining their own pockets, so they frequently propose unsatisfactory settlements.
You have rights and deserve just and fair compensation from those responsible for your injuries.
Call 1-844-RESULTS or complete our Free Case Evaluation form so we can start reviewing your case.
Contact a Brunswick Burn Injury Lawyer Today
No matter how severe your burn injury is, it is a traumatic and life-altering experience. The bottom line is that these injuries will require ongoing medical care, which can be costly, especially when you are unable to work.
The Brunswick burn injury lawyers at Roden Law have decades of combined experience pursuing injury compensation. We have the resources, skills and knowledge to investigate your case, examine medical records, and consult with witnesses and medical experts to help establish liability and prove your case.
Let us review the specifics of your situation during a free consultation. Our cases are taken on a contingency-fee basis, which means you pay us nothing unless you recover fair compensation.