Georgia Burn Injury Lawyer

Dressing burned wound hand with gauze pad Burns are often very serious injuries. In addition to causing serious and prolonged pain, severe burns can forever rob victims of their skin. With serious enough burns, you may be at risk for infections, dehydration, and other potentially life-threatening complications.

Burns also leave permanent scars, which can be unsightly or limit your movement, and may require multiple surgeries to address. Skin grafts may be required, and extensive therapy may be needed for victims to learn how to live with their injuries.

If you have suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s actions or negligence, you need a law firm that understands how to properly value and prove damages from these complex injuries. Scholle Law has ample experience working with victims of serious personal injuries – and a strong record of results to show for it.

Our team is here 24/7 to speak with you about your case. Your initial consultation and case review is free, and there is absolutely no obligation to hire us afterwards. Call us at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online today to schedule your free consultation.

866-592-1296If you or a loved one has been injured call us today for a free consultation.

Common Causes and Types of Burn Injuries

Catastrophic burns are frequently the result of accidents that are catastrophic in themselves. The American Burn Association reported that 43 percent of the 486,000 burn injuries treated at hospital burn centers from 2005 to 2014 were caused by direct contact with flame, with scald injuries close behind at 34 percent. The vast majority of these injuries (73 percent) were sustained in the home.

Some of the top causes of severe burn injuries include:

Homes or products with defective electric wiring
Serious car, truck or motorcycle accidents
Accidents in the workplace (including electrocution or chemical exposure)
Smoking
Cooking and kitchen accidents
Children playing with fire

While a majority of burns are caused by fire, it is far from the only way that people may suffer a severe burn injury. Different types of burns require different treatment and care, which is why it is important for you to understand the difference and tell your doctor which type of burn you suffered. Scholle Law has a vast network of physicians, therapists, and other medical professionals to whom we can refer burn injury victims as needed.

Some common examples of different types of burn injuries include:

Thermal burns (fire, hot surfaces, etc.)
Chemical burns (caustic substances)
Electrical burn (electrocution)
Friction burns
Radiation burns
Scalding burns
Cold burns (frostbite)

Degrees and Severity of Burns

Close-up Of A Nurse Dressing Patient's Hand With Bandage

Burn injuries typically fall into one of two categories: minor and major. While minor burns typically heal on their own in time, major burns usually require urgent medical treatment and can result in scarring, disability, deformity, and tremendous pain.

The classification of a burn is determined by the amount of damage inflicted upon the skin. This damage is rated by “degrees.” These degrees are:

First-degree burns: These burn injuries only damage the outermost layer of skin (epidermis) and usually heal on their own. The skin may be sensitive or sore.
Second-degree burns: These burn injuries damage the outer and secondary (dermis) layers of the skin. Depending on where the burn occurs, medical treatment may be required. Painful blistering, swelling and redness often result.
Third-degree burns: These are the most serious types of burn injuries, resulting in damage to the deepest layers of skin and the underlying tissue. The skin may be charred black or white, and become numb. Emergency medical treatment is needed immediately.

While these are the most common classifications of burns, there are higher degrees. When the burn damages the tendons, nerves, and, in some cases, muscle, it is considered a fourth-degree burn. When the damage extends to the muscles, the burn is classified as fifth-degree. Finally, if the bones are damaged by a burn, it is considered a sixth-degree burn.

Recovering from a Serious Burn Injury

emergency room sign According to the American Burn Association, an estimated 200 people are hospitalized annually for burn injuries. When a second-degree, third-degree, or more severe burn destroys significant amounts of someone’s tissue, the skin can no longer perform important jobs like keeping infections out of the body or regulating body temperature and hydration. If the damage is serious enough, victims may need skin graft surgeries.

Severe burns are often extremely painful, which may require extensive management with pain medication.

Taken together, these factors mean that burn victims can spend quite a lot of time in the hospital. In addition, patients who suffer burns to the face or other highly visible areas may need to follow up with cosmetic surgery. And when scars heal by contracting or building up tissue (as in a keloid scar), patients may need therapy or additional surgeries to restore a full range of motion.

In all, severe burns can be very expensive injuries to treat – and those are just the medical costs. Some victims may also be required to miss work in order to heal, leading to lost wages and even lost earning capacity. They may also find themselves unable to enjoy their hobbies or enjoy life in general. When the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or direct actions, a personal injury lawsuit can help victims recover those costs from the people who caused them.

In a Georgia burn injury lawsuit, you can recover compensation for:

The wrongful death of a family member
Medical expenses
Physical therapy
Lost wages

Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma
Permanent disability
Disfigurement and scarring

Call us today for a free, no obligation consultation.866-592-1296

Speak with a Georgia Burn Injury Attorney Today

Severe burn injuries require immediate (and sometimes intensive) medical treatment. As such, calling 9-1-1 or going to the emergency room should be your first move after a burn injury. Once you have sought medical treatment, you should speak to an attorney if someone else caused your injury.

Scholle Law has more than 20 years of experience helping victims of catastrophic personal injuries secure compensation for their injuries, pain, disability, medical bills, and other damages. Our burn injury lawyers know what it takes to fight for the money you are owed, whether the at-fault party is a private citizen or a massive corporation.