Burn injury settlements may have a higher value due to the amount of pain and permanent scarring. That scarring can be both emotional and physical, as burn injury victims routinely suffer from severe emotional pain, depression and low self-esteem.
Burn injury studies have shown that many burn victims suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The physical and emotional costs of severe burns can be devastating and may include financial costs, such as medical expenses, lost earning and diminished earning capacity.
All of these factors, and more, are at play in determining burn injury settlements.
Damages in Burn Injury Settlements
The physical location of the burn injury and how the burn injury occurred may also affect the degree of the defendant’s liability- which in turn affects how much a jury may be willing to award a victim at trial. If you have been burned due to another’s negligence, you could receive monetary compensation for economic damages and/or non-economic damages.
Economic
These types of damages consist of the amount of money lost from becoming injuries. They’re generally easy to calculate and easier to prove since a lawyer can provide tangible documents to gauge medical fees that victim must be compensated for.
Non-Economic
These losses are intangible and refer to emotional stress caused by an injury.
Burn injury settlements and awards may include compensation for the following damages:
- Past and future bills for your medical treatments
- Your mileage to and from your medical appointments
- Your past and future lost earnings
- Your past and future disability, pain and suffering, and/or disfigurement
Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injury settlements for pain and suffering can vary widely, just as the types of burns can vary. Some of the factors that are responsible for burn injuries include:
- Explosions
- Fires
- Electricity
- Scalding liquids
- Chemical exposure
- Radiation
- Faulty consumer products, such as lithium ion batteries
Types of Burn Injuries
Burns are classified into three categories; first degree, second degree, and third degree. These determine the severity of the burn, which is an important factor in a burn injury settlement.
- First Degree
Minor skin irritation
- Second Degree
The deeper layers of the skin are affected increasing the chances of infection. These may require hospitalization, especially if they cover more than 10 percent of a person’s body.
- Third Degree
These are potentially fatal. Most of the skin, nerves and even tendons are damaged. They can require extensive care, skin grafts, and leave permanent scars.
Burn injuries create a myriad of issues for those inflicted. When a person’s skin is burned, their nerve endings are damaged, which results in severe pain for the victim. Since skin serves as a barrier to protect the body from outside harm, these injuries pose the risk of infection. This means even minuscule burns have the opportunity to become complicated incredibly quickly. Only the most minor types of burns should be self-treated, while all serious burn injuries should be immediately seen by a medical professional. However, since doctors have deemed burns as the most painful injury one could experience, victims might want to receive medical attention regardless of severity to ease the discomfort.
Minor burns can be treated by immersing the area of infliction in cold water and covering it with a sterile cloth. But severe burns require immediate medical attention. It’s important that a victim identifies the telltale signs of a severe burn before their symptoms get worse. Usually, distinctions between severe and minor burns are gauged through the extent of damaged tissue in the area. But there are several indicators victims should watch out for that could emerge at any time. Victims should urgently seek emergency medical assistance if they experience:
- Large blisters
- Significant scarring
- Oozing from the wound
- Increased pain
- Redness along with swelling
- Fresh, unexplained symptoms
Some of these symptoms may take as long as 48 hours to form. If there are doubts about the severity of an injury, the victim should seek prompt treatment. Failing to receive a diagnosis and treatment can turn a minor, easily treatable issue into an injury with serious complications.
Treatment for Burn Injuries
Treatment for burns vary depending on the area inflicted. But many victims who have endured severe burns will have to undergo surgical procedures. Debridement – the surgical removal of dead tissue – may be necessary. If the tissue has been damaged to the point of no return, a skin graft – a procedure that replaces scar tissue with healthy skin from other parts of the body – could be needed. If victims request it, reconstruction surgery can be conducted to lessen the appearance of scars and increase the flexibility of the skin and joints. Also, victims who were burned on large areas of their bodies, especially areas near joints, may need physical therapy. These exercises aid in stretching the joints and improving muscle strength and coordination. These sessions are especially helpful for those whose injuries have made it difficult for them to perform normal, every day activities.
With the need for several operations, prescribed medication and possibly physical therapy, burn injury victims can easily rack up a lengthy list of medical expenses. Monetary compensation may be available for all the tangible and intangible losses victims have suffered. Those who have experienced catastrophic injuries that have dampened their everyday life are urged to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. Choosing the right attorney can ensure that that victims focus on recovering, while hired legal representation handles all the legal obligations.
Experienced Burn Injury Attorneys
Approximately 2.4 million burn injuries are reported per year and of those hospitalized, 20,000 have major burns that cover at least 25 percent of their total body surface. Between 8,000 and 12,000 patients with burns die and approximately one million sustain substantial or permanent disabilities resulting from their burn injury. Burn injuries are the second leading cause of accidental death in the United States next to vehicle accidents.
Some burn injury victims will never recover from the injury, even if they are no longer in physical pain. We recognize the horrific pain and potential disfigurement that results from burn injuries. The legal and financial needs of burn survivors and their families is something we highly acknowledge and we attempt to make the process of seeking compensation as seamless as possible.
Call us today for a free evaluation of your case and your options for possible burn injury settlements.
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