According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over a million burn injuries require medical attention every year in the United States. Sadly, the road to recovery for burn injury victims is often long, challenging, and extremely painful. People who suffer these injuries may require extensive, long-term medical treatment, and thousands are killed every year just from infections associated with their injuries.
At R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we understand how difficult it can be to cope with the aftermath of a burn accident. We are here to make sure you do not have to do so alone. While you focus on your physical recovery, we are ready to fight for your right to compensation for injuries sustained at no fault of your own. Contact us today for a free consultation with an Athens burn injury lawyer.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Athens
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When we think of burns, we normally think of flames, boiling liquid, and hot metal. However, though these “thermal” burns are the most common, there are actually several other kinds of burns. Burn injuries may be caused by direct or indirect contact with any of the following elements:
- Fire
- Hot liquids or steam
- Hot objects, like metal or glass
- Chemicals
- Radiation
- Electrical currents
- Friction
From home kitchens to chemical refineries, these elements can be found in all manner of locations.
Though difficult to generalize based purely on where they occur, burn injuries do share some common traits. Namely, they can be very difficult to treat and are associated with a high mortality rate.
What Are the Different Classifications of Burns?
Your skin is composed of many layers, and burns are classified accordingly based on how deeply they penetrate those layers. These injuries are medically classified as follows:
- First-degree burns – These burns only damage the top layer of the skin (the epidermis). The skin may appear red or show mild swelling, but no blisters should appear. Skin function remains intact. Patients typically heal in about a week without emergency care or hospitalization. Sunburns are a common example of first-degree burns caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
- Second-degree burns – Also known as partial-thickness burns, these burns affect the first two layers of skin. Because the second layer (the dermis) contains hair follicles, sweat glands, and nerve cells, second-degree burns may begin to impact normal skin functions. Further, patients may experience significant pain and are often left more susceptible to infection. Blisters are typically present, and distinct layers of the skin may be visible. Second-degree burns may require emergency care, especially if the burn is widespread.
- Third-degree burns – Because they fully destroy the epidermis and dermis, these burns are sometimes known as full-thickness burns. The skin may appear leathery or charred. Yellow fatty tissue may be exposed where the layers of skin have been burned away. Because nerve endings in the dermis are destroyed, third-degree burn patients may lose sensation at the burn location. Hospitalization is almost always required. Even after skin-graft surgery, patients may be left with permanent disfigurement and scarring.
- Fourth-degree burns – These burns are the deepest and most life-threatening. Fortunately, they are also less common. These burns penetrate through all layers of skin and the underlying fatty tissues. They may even destroy underlying muscles, tendons, and bones. These burns normally result in permanent damage. In some cases, they may even require amputations.
Because burn damage sometimes spreads and deepens in the days following the initial injury, their full impact may not be immediately apparent. In serious cases, a doctor should evaluate and monitor the burn victim’s condition for at least 24 hours before reaching a full diagnosis and classifying the burn.
What Damages Are Available for an Athens Burn Injury Claim?
Burn victims may be entitled to a wide range of compensation. In most cases, this includes both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that easily boil down to a numerical value. Non-economic damages are those that do not easily reduce in this way because each person is likely to assign a different number.
When preparing a lawsuit seeking compensation, it is crucial to work with an attorney who understands both forms of damages. In particular, it is important to find a lawyer who can empathize with their client, understand the more subjective aspects of their loss, and fully communicate the extent of their losses to a jury. The Athens Burn Injury Attorneys at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, can help you recover compensation for the following:
- Medical costs associated with treating your injury, including hospital stays, surgeries, physical and occupational therapy, counseling, medications, and medical equipment or supplies
- Lost wages if you cannot work while healing from your injuries
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries result in permanent disability
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Lowered quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
- Funeral and burial expenses
Is There a Time Limit for Filing an Athens Burn Injury Claim?
Yes. Georgia law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a claim against the at-fault party. Do not miss this deadline. If you do, your lawsuit will most likely be dismissed in court. Not only will this destroy your right to seek compensation through the court system, but it will also destroy your bargaining power when negotiating a settlement with the at-fault party.
Avoid this by speaking to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. The sooner your case is reviewed by a lawyer, the sooner they can start building a strong burn-injury claim on your behalf.
Contact Our Athens Burn Injury Lawyers
If you suffered a burn injury in an accident that was not your fault, you might be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, the burn injury attorneys at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, are ready to help you recover the compensation you deserve.