Did you suffer burn injuries in an accident in Norcross? Serious burn injuries can require months of medical care and rehabilitation at a specialized burn care hospital, and can literally change a person’s life forever. Many burn victims are forced to deal with not only physical and psychological trauma but serious financial stress as well.
If your burn injuries were caused by someone else’s carelessness or negligence, a burn injury lawyer at Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. is here to help you seek full compensation.
We Have Some of the Best Burn Injury Lawyers in Norcross
To give yourself the best chance at a full recovery, talk to a Norcross burn injury attorney at the law firm of Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. Our experienced, compassionate staff will do everything possible to get you to recover compensation for your injuries. To schedule your free initial consultation with a personal injury attorney, call (404) 581-9100 or visit our contact page.
What Types of Burns Are There?
Burns can happen due to a wide range of circumstances. The types of burns include:
- Thermal contact burns — Thermal contact burns are what you typically think of when you hear the phrase burn injury. They are the result of your skin coming into contact with something hot enough to cause a burn.
- Chemical burns — Chemical burns are the result of your skin being exposed to a strong base or acid.
- Electrical burns — Electrical burns occur when someone is exposed to a strong electric current or shock.
- Arc/flash burns — Arc and flash burns occur when the skin is charred by the heat from a nearby explosion or fire.
- Scald burns — Scald burns are the result of hot liquid coming into contact with exposed skin, such as when someone spills boiling water, hot coffee, or other hot liquids.
What are the Categories of Severity of Burn Injuries?
Burns are rated by four categories according to the severity of the injury and what kind of damage they cause.
The four categories of burn injuries, ranging from least severe to most severe, are:
- First-degree burns — These cause minimal damage to the outermost layers of skin. Symptoms of a first-degree burn such as sunburn include swelling or inflammation of the skin, the skin turning red, and dry skin peeling. Home remedies such as running the burn under cold water or using an antibiotic ointment are usually sufficient to treat first-degree burns.
- Second-degree burns — These burns go deeper than first-degree burns to affect the inner layers of the skin, leading to blisters and making the skin extremely sore and red. Blisters caused by second-degree burns will sometimes burst, making the skin look wet. Pain is more intense with second-degree burns, and the increased damage to deeper layers of skin means a greater risk of infection. While some second-degree burns can be treated at home, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for an evaluation and treatment.
- Third-degree burns — These burns penetrate all layers of skin and cause serious damage to underlying tissue. Third-degree burns are often extremely painful, but in some instances, the nerve damage is so extensive that the victim feels no pain. The skin may turn brown or charred, have a waxy color, or take on a leathery appearance. These burns can be fatal if the victim goes into shock or loses too much blood.
- Fourth-degree burns — With fourth-degree burns, the burn damage reaches the bones and tendons and is potentially fatal. Immediate medical attention is required.
How Do Burns in Norcross Most Commonly Happen?
Burns can happen at home, in the workplace, and out in public for a wide range of reasons. Some of the most common causes of burns are:
- Car accidents
- Industrial accidents
- Construction accidents
- Defective products
- Exposure to toxic or noxious chemicals
- Spilling hot liquids
What Should I Do After I’ve Been Burned in Norcross?
First-degree burns can be treated at home, though a visit to a doctor may still be warranted if the burn is to a sensitive area such as the hands, feet, face, or head. After a second or third-degree burn, call 911 right away. Do not run second-degree or third-degree burns under cool water, as doing so may cause additional harm. If possible, elevate the burned part of your body above your heart.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Burn Injury in GA?
Determining liability for burn injuries will depend on how the injury occurred. If the burn is the result of a workplace accident, you may be eligible to receive workers’ compensation benefits including paid medical care without having to prove fault. If you were burned as a result of a car accident, or truck accident, you may be able to hold the other driver liable for your burn injuries, if the other driver caused the car accident.
If your landlord failed to follow fire safety rules and you were injured in a fire, the landlord could be responsible for what happened to you. The best way to determine who may be held liable for your injuries is to have a knowledgeable Norcross personal injury attorney review the accident right away. Contact our Norcross burn injury lawyer today.
What Compensation Can I Receive After Suffering a Burn Injury in Norcross?
There are different kinds of compensation you may pursue after a burn injury, depending on the extent of your injuries and who is liable. You may seek
- Economic damages — Economic damages are injuries and other losses that can be assigned a specific dollar amount. This includes medical bills, your lost wages while you were recovering from your injuries or any property damage that may have resulted from whatever caused your injuries.
- Non-economic damages — Non-economic damages are losses that are harder to directly quantify. This includes the value of the physical pain and mental anguish your injuries caused and your diminished enjoyment of life as a result of your injuries.
- Punitive damages — Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the liable party was especially negligent or reckless, or if they intentionally caused your injury. Punitive damages are uncommon. Your attorney can discuss whether it’s appropriate to seek punitive damages in your particular case.
Contact a Norcross Burn Injury Attorney Today
There’s a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims in Norcross. That makes it important to contact an attorney right away to get started on your claim. Contact the burn injury lawyers at the law firm of Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. by calling (404) 581-9100, or visiting our contact page to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation with us.