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    burn injury

    Anyone who has suffered a serious burn injury can tell you how life-altering it can be. Besides the pain and medical treatment disrupting your life, it can take a serious toll on your emotional and financial well-being, too.

    Burn injury victims shouldn’t have to shoulder their losses alone. If you or someone dear to you has suffered severe burns because of someone else’s carelessness or negligence, you can seek financial compensation. You may be entitled to recover costs for your medical bills, loss of income, pain and suffering, and other losses.

    The compassionate attorneys with Joye Law Firm understand what you’re going through and want to help you recover the full compensation you need to rebuild your life. We have been fighting for injured clients in South Carolina since 1968. If you are facing a difficult recovery, let us help you, too. Just Call Joye at 888-324-3100 for a free consultation with a dedicated burn injury lawyer in South Carolina.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Burn Injury Classifications

    A burn’s severity depends on how it occurs and the extent of the damage it does to the skin and underlying tissue. Some burns are superficial, causing minor damage to the outermost layer of the skin, these wounds typically heal quickly. However, more severe burns can damage the nerves, muscles, and tissue below the skin. These serious injuries require more significant treatment, such as surgery and skin grafts. Victims of severe burns may spend months hospitalized, fighting for their lives.

    The primary classifications of burn injuries are:

    • First-degree burn is a superficial injury. Minimal damage to the epidermis, your outer skin layer, leads to inflammation, swelling, and redness. While extremely painful, scarring is unlikely as the wound heals.
    • Second-degree burn referred to medically as a partial thickness burn, causes damage to the epidermis and the dermis, a deeper skin layer. The injury site is often sore and appears red. Blisters might develop at the injury site, scabbing over during healing. This type of burn can also cause skin pigmentation changes and scarring.
    • Third-degree burn medically called a full-thickness burn, damages both the epidermis and dermis, as well as subcutaneous tissue. These severe injuries can be fatal.
    • Fourth-degree burns damages both skin layers and deeper tissue, possibly destroying muscle and bone. While rarely survivable, extensive damage can destroy the nerves and dull the sensation of pain.

    Types of Burn Injuries

    Aside from being classified by degree, injuries are also typed by the source of the burn.

    The most common types of burn injuries include:

    • Thermal – A thermal burn results from exposure to a hot object, heat source, or flame. Touching hot items or liquids or standing near an open flame can lead to thermal burn injuries.
    • Electrical – An electrical burn occurs when an electrical current passes through the body, damaging skin, tissue, nerves, and internal organs.
    • Radiation – Exposure to ultraviolet rays and other forms of radiation can also burn tissue. Sunburn is the most common type of radiation burn.
    • Chemical – A chemical burn involves physical contact with caustic chemicals such as bleach that can burn skin immediately and damage underlying tissue with prolonged contact.

    Common Causes of Burn Injuries

    Some of the most common causes of burn injuries include:

    • Motor vehicle accidents
    • Live electrical wires
    • Malfunctioning machinery or equipment
    • Nursing home abuse or neglect
    • A defective product, such as a crockpot or air fryer
    • Building fire
    • Explosions
    • Electric shock from exposed faulty wiring
    • Exposure to flammable or corrosive substances

    South Carolina Lawsuits Based on Burn Injuries

    Someone who suffers a burn injury because of another party’s negligence or disregard for safety can sue that individual for compensation for their resulting losses, such as medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.

    Many circumstances can give an injured person grounds for a lawsuit, from a careless driver causing a traffic accident resulting in a car fire, to a manufacturer releasing an unsafe product onto the market.

    For example, suppose an 18-wheeler is speeding toward a traffic signal and fails to stop in time when the light turns red. The driver hits another car in the intersection, which subsequently catches fire, burning its occupants. The driver who ran the red light might be at fault because they caused the wreck. If the brakes on the car failed and contributed to the accident, however, the manufacturer of the defective brakes could also be financially liable. Recovering full compensation requires a thorough investigation to determine everyone who contributed to the incident and who may be liable for the victim’s injuries.

    The legal theories commonly used in burn injury cases are:

    • Product liability– Anyone involved in designing, manufacturing, assembling, transporting, or selling a product can be financially responsible if it causes burn injuries. Product liability holds manufacturers, sellers, and designers liable for injuries if a product is unreasonably dangerous or defective. At Joye Law Firm, our attorneys have represented people injured by exploding gas tanks in cars, gas heaters in campers, and faulty machinery on job sites.
    • Premises liability– Property owners and managers must maintain their premises so that they are safe for visitors. You could pursue legal action against a restaurant, grocery store, movie theater, or other business owner if they are at fault for dangerous conditions that lead to fire and burn injuries.
    • Negligence – Negligence is the failure of one party to exercise reasonable care to avoid injuring another. Multiple types of negligent actions can justify bringing a lawsuit against someone else. Examples include ignoring defective electrical components on a construction site, running a red light while driving through an intersection, or violating fire safety codes in an apartment building.

    Each of these legal theories requires an injured party to prove a different set of facts. An attorney can review your case and determine which grounds may apply to you. Working with an attorney to develop your case will provide the best chance of a positive outcome.

    Who’s Liable After a Burn Injury?

    The parties held accountable for your burn injury will depend on the circumstances of the accident. Whether you bring a negligence claim, product liability lawsuit, or another type of case, establishing the defendant’s liability is crucial to securing compensation.

    A burn injury lawyer with Joye Law Firm can help. We have represented thousands of burn victims since opening our doors in 1968. We know how to investigate incidents and obtain evidence to determine who is at fault. We can secure video surveillance footage, speak to witnesses, obtain medical records, consult with experts, and collect accident scene photos. If more than one person is responsible, we might file multiple claims or lawsuits against different parties. If your injury occurred at work, we will assist you in filing a workers’ compensation claim. This will ensure your medical bills are covered, and you receive your weekly wage replacement, as guaranteed by the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission.

    How To Treat a Burn Injury

    The treatment you need after a burn injury will depend on the type and classification of the burn. Typically, you can treat minor burns at home. However, more severe burns require emergency medical care, surgery, and other, more aggressive interventions.

    After the initial emergency room visit, repairing damage to the skin, nerves, and tissue and facilitating the healing process might involve treatment such as:

    • Medications – A burn injury can be extremely painful. In some cases, doctors may need to remove a victim’s burned tissue to allow healthy tissue to survive. You might need anti-anxiety medication and pain medication to reduce your pain levels and remain calm as your wounds heal.
    • Water-based treatments– A healthcare professional can use ultrasound mist therapy to penetrate the wound and break up bacteria cells that prevent healing.
    • Dressings – Specialty dressings cover the burn injury to prevent dirt and debris from entering the wound. They also prepare the burns for the healing process.
    • Ointments and creams– Ointments and creams promote wound healing and help fight infection.
    • IV fluids– Intravenous fluids are often necessary to prevent dehydration and organ failure.
    • Physical therapy– Severe burns can affect muscles and joints, limiting movement. You might need physical therapy to restore muscle strength and coordination, improve flexibility, and regain range of motion.
    • Surgery – When burns cover large areas of the body or extend deep below the skin, surgery might be necessary to repair the damage. Skin grafts use sections of a person’s healthy skin to replace damaged tissue. Plastic surgery can help improve physical appearance and address significant disfigurement or scarring.

    Compensation for Burn Injury Claims in South Carolina

    Joye Law Firm understands the importance of securing full and fair compensation for your medical bills and other accident-related expenses. Our personal injury lawyers know how to maximize the value of a burn injury claim and seek the compensation our clients deserve.

    After determining liability for the accident and gathering evidence, we can submit a demand letter to the appropriate insurance providers and try to negotiate a settlement. If an insurer refuses to agree to a fair settlement, our attorneys will be prepared to file a lawsuit and seek justice for our client in court.

    In a burn injury lawsuit, you may claim compensation for the following:

    • Medical expenses, including surgeries, rehabilitative therapy, and psychological counseling
    • Pain and suffering
    • Emotional distress from scarring and impairment
    • Lost wages from time off work while healing
    • Lowered earning potential if the burns affect your career prospects
    • Diminished quality of life
    • Wrongful death if a loved one succumbed to their injuries

    Contact a Burn Injury Law Firm in South Carolina

    If you or someone who depends on you has sustained a severe burn injury caused by the negligence of others, Joye Law Firm can help. Our attorneys are ready to protect your rights and work hard for the financial recovery you need.

    Our attorneys are frequently recognized for their outstanding work with eleven attorneys named as Best Lawyers in America® and six recognized as Rising Stars in 2024. Our firm also received the honor of being recognized in the 2024 edition of Best Law Firms® achieving impressive regional rankings in four practice areas. This recognition, placing us among the top 4% of law firms in the industry, is a testament to our dedication, hard work, and commitment to our clients.

    Additionally, our attorneys are frequently elected to lead their peers in various organizations. Attorneys Mark Joye and Sydney Lynn have had the honor of being named President of the South Carolina Association for Justice, while Attorneys Ken Harrell and Matt Jackson have both led the Injured Workers’ Advocates Association as President.

    Call us at 888-324-3100 for a free consultation with one of our burn injury attorneys. We have five offices across South Carolina in Charleston, Summerville, Myrtle Beach, Clinton, and Columbia.

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