Gainesville Burn Injury Lawyer
Burns can be excruciating injuries that may leave severe scarring and disfigurement. Consequently, medical bills from procedures and surgeries, hospitalization, and rehabilitation may be substantial when treating these injuries. A Gainesville burn injury lawyer could offer assistance if you or a loved one has suffered this type of bodily harm.
A catastrophic injury attorney could help you understand whether you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to hold the responsible party accountable. A successful claim could allow you to seek reimbursement for medical bills, lost income, and physical pain and mental suffering, among other losses.
Classifying Burn Injuries
Fires or explosions, scalding liquids, steam, or even metals are among some hazards that may cause severe burns. Additionally, electrocution, radiation, and chemicals can damage both the outer and deeper layers of the skin.
Medical professionals classify burns by their severity. Typically the more severe the damage, the deeper the burn. First-degree burns are the least severe type. The burn area is limited to the surface layer of the skin. A mild or moderate sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn.
Second-degree burns penetrate deeper layers of skin. Blistering is an indication of this type of injury as well as reddening, tenderness, throbbing pain, and swelling. Third-degree burns are severe because they affect the deepest layers of the skin and may even lead to nerve damage.
Fourth-degree burns affect more than just the skin. They can damage body tissues, and possibly the bone or muscles. These are the most difficult to recover from and may leave lasting damage. A person who suffers these injuries may have to have a body part amputated or suffer from permanent organ or tissue damage. Depending on the severity of an individual’s burn injury, an attorney in Gainsville can build a claim for the appropriate compensation.
Recoverable Damages in a Burn Injury Case
A person who sustained a severe burn injury could seek a variety of damages to compensate for their losses. Because burns can result in more than damage to the skin, medical treatment can be costly. Therefore, a claimant may demand compensation for any out-of-pocket expenses such as present and future medical expenditures. Treatment for secondary infections or illnesses, like smoke inhalation-related issues, also may be compensable.
Additionally, a plaintiff can seek lost income due to injury leave. Many individuals who sustain serious burns need time to recover and may be out of work for an extended period of time. These people also may become partially disabled, and experience diminished earning capacity.
Noneconomic damages seek to compensate someone for physical pain and mental suffering, which can be substantial. Psychological issues such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression-related issues may be some of the emotional losses that are compensable.
State law does not place a cap or maximum on the amount of noneconomic damages a claimant may receive. A Gainesville attorney could advise a burn injury claimant about which categories of damages they may be able to pursue in a civil lawsuit.
Reach out to a Gainesville Burn Injury Attorney Today
Though recovery can be an arduous process both physically and mentally, it is important to think about your legal options. A Gainesville burn injury lawyer could empower you to hold the at-fault party accountable for the actions that caused your losses so that you can become better equipped to get your life back on track. Contact our dedicated attorneys today to learn more about your legal options.