Burn injuries can be very severe, causing extreme pain and suffering as well as permanent scarring. Damage can go far beyond the skin layers to include your blood vessels, muscles, nerves, lungs, and eyes.
If you’ve suffered a burn due to someone else’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing, you may be able to receive compensation with the help of a burn injury attorney.
Common Types of Burn Injuries
Burns are commonly associated with fire, but they can also be caused by many other things. The following are some common types and sources of burns:
- Thermal burns: Caused by flames, heat, or by contacting an object that’s hot.
- Chemical burns: Caused by industrial chemicals, household cleaners, or swimming pool chemicals.
- Scald burns: From hot liquids such as water, cooking oil, or coffee.
- Electrical burns: Caused by electric current, they can cause a burn as well as internal injuries.
- Radiation burns: Caused by tanning booths, sun lamps, X-rays, or radiation therapy.
Types of Damages
If you and your burn injury attorney can prove that someone else’s negligence or intentional act caused your injury, you may be eligible for the following damages:
- Specific Damages: These include medical bills you’ve already occurred, as well as future expenses, including rehabilitation. If your burn is severe, your medical bills may be substantial, including treatment at a specialized burn center, multiple skin graft surgeries, and ongoing care and treatment. Specific damages also include lost wages that you’ve already occurred, as well as future loss of income.
- General Damages: These types of damages can’t be precisely quantified in the way that medical expenses can. They include compensation for pain and suffering, scarring, distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Punitive Damages: Designed to punish the plaintiff, these damages may come into play if he or she caused your burn injury through extreme negligence or an intentional act.
Wrongful Death Cases
If your loved one has died as a result of a burn injury, you may be able to file a wrongful death action in order to recoup damages. These can include damages similar to those listed above, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of your loved one’s financial support
- Loss of companionship
- Funeral expenses
Burn Injuries in the Workplace
If you were on the job when you suffered your burn, you may be able to receive workers’ compensation. The limits of what it will pay, however, are usually fairly low. If your employer was guilty of negligence, it may be possible to sue the company and forego workers’ compensation benefits. You can also sue a third party that caused your injury, such as the manufacturer of a piece of equipment that malfunctioned and caused your burns.
Workers’ compensation laws vary from state to state and can be complex, so it’s important to seek an attorney’s advice before agreeing to anything.
Get Help from a 24/7 Burn Injury Attorney
A burn injury attorney has experience representing clients with these types of injuries, and he or she can advise you on the possibility of taking legal action. Your attorney can help gather evidence to support your case and represent you in legal proceedings in and out of court.