Burn Injury Attorney in Elizabethtown

What is a Burn Injury?

A burn injury can have lasting effects. In addition to the psychological impact of the accident, you may suffer long-term — or even permanent — physical damage. As a result, your injury could impair your ability to work or enjoy life as you did before the accident.

If your injury was due to another person’s negligence, you can receive compensation by filing a burn injury claim. An injury attorney in Elizabethtown can help you navigate this process and ensure you receive the full amount you deserve.

Examples of Burn Injuries

A few common examples of burn injuries are:

• Workplace accidents
• Apartment building fires
• Recreational fires at hotels, retail outlets, restaurants, and other types of businesses
• Accidents from using defective equipment
• Scalds from pipes or hot water
• Explosions
• Faulty wiring
• Vehicle accidents

When Can You Receive Compensation for a Burn Injury?

You may be able to claim damages for a burn injury if the accident was due to someone else’s negligence. For example, the establishment, the property owner, or your employer could be at fault for neglecting to adhere to safety regulations, lacking sufficient fire extinguishers or working fire alarms, or impeding fire escapes, such as locking doors or blocking exits.

To gain compensation, you’ll need to show that the other party had a duty of care to you and that the breach of this duty of care was the cause of your injuries. You’ll also need to prove that you suffered damages as a result. Providing evidence for all the above can be more challenging than you would expect, which is why victims in Elizabethtown are more often awarded significant damages when they work with an attorney.

Documenting Your Burn Injuries

It’s important to begin documenting your injuries as soon as possible after the accident. You should take photos of your injuries, as well as of the source of the burn, if possible. In addition, make a note of your recollections of the event, such as how you believe it occurred and what measures should have been in place to prevent your injuries. If there were any witnesses, ask them for their account of the events and keep their contact information in case you need to file a lawsuit.

If you receive medical attention, you can use your medical records as evidence. Third- and fourth-degree burns always require emergency assistance. Left untreated, they can lead to permanent injuries or even death. You can recognize such burns by charring and skin that is white or leathery. Your injuries may not be painful if the nerves are completely destroyed. Severe burns on the feet, hands, and genitals and burns that cause a great deal of pain are also emergencies.

Types of Damages You Can Claim

You may be able to receive economic damages to cover expenses related to your injuries — both expenses you’ve already incurred and those you will incur in the future. Economic damages cover medical treatment (including home care services) as well as lost wages and any property damage attributed to the accident. These costs are usually simple to calculate.

Non-economic damages you may be able to receive compensation for include pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring, and reduced quality of life. If you lost a loved one in the accident, you can also claim for loss of companionship. Since non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify, you’re more likely to be successful with an experienced burn injury lawyer representing you.

Finally, you may be awarded punitive damages. This is a possibility if the courts find that the at-fault party acted in a deliberate or reckless way.

Burn Injuries at Work

Many burn injuries occur at the workplace, particularly in industrial settings and other environments where there are a large amount of hazards. It may be possible for you to make a claim through your workers compensation insurance. Bear in mind, though, that whereas this will cover lost wages and provide you with medical benefits, you will be unable to sue your employer for negligence as soon as you accept the payout. This could mean you’ll be missing out on compensation for pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment, and other damages. An injury attorney can provide you with advice for your situation.

If you’ve suffered a severe burn, you have nothing to lose from talking with an injury attorney and everything to gain. Contact the Fleck Firm for a free consultation to discuss your case and the next steps.

What’s the next step?

If you are looking for an experienced attorney after a recent burn accident call The Fleck Firm for a free consultation at (270) 446-7000. Remember, Insurance companies have lawyers. You should have one too.