Did you or a family member sustain burn injuries in an accident in Edgefield County, SC? The at-fault party may owe you compensation. An experienced Edgefield County burn injury lawyer at Hawk Law Group can help you fight to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
We have over 71 years of combined experience helping clients like you. We’ve helped those clients recover tens of millions of dollars in compensation over the years.
It’s never too early to reach out for legal advice. Contact our law offices in Edgefield County, South Carolina to schedule a free consultation today.
How Hawk Law Group Can Help With a Burn Injury Claim in Edgefield County, SC
Many burn injury victims quickly learn that they need money to help cover treatment costs. If someone else caused your injuries, you are entitled to compensation. While you need money, a lengthy insurance battle is the last thing you need.
An experienced Edgefield County personal injury lawyer can help you hold the responsible parties accountable. At Hawk Law Group, we’ve recovered some of the largest settlements and verdicts in the area.
Hiring us means you’ll have an entire legal team to:
- Investigate and gather evidence
- Build a strong case to prove causation and establish liability
- Identify all responsible parties and insurance policies
- Calculate the value of your personal injury claim
- Work with leading experts and specialists
- Negotiate with the opposing parties and insurance companies on your behalf
We have decades of experience recovering fair compensation for innocent accident victims and their families. To learn more, call our Edgefield County personal injury attorneys today.
Overview of Burn Injuries
Exposure to heat, flames, and even hot liquids can cause severe damage to the skin and underlying tissue. Some burn injuries are superficial and heal on their own. However, in more serious cases, victims may be left permanently disfigured. In the most severe cases, the bone and internal organs may even be damaged.
The severity of a burn injury depends on several different factors, including:
- The source of the burn (fire, chemicals, etc.)
- The area of the body that was burned
- The size and depth of the burn
Burns are some of the most painful injuries you can endure. If you were burned and someone else was to blame, contact Hawk Law Group today. Our lawyers in Edgefield County are here to fight for the fair compensation you need after an injury.
Types of Burn Injuries
Most burns occur due to exposure to hot objects or fire. However, there are several different types of burn injuries. Each can have serious consequences.
The primary types of burn injuries are:
- Thermal burns, which are caused by exposure to flames, hot objects, scalding hot liquids, and steam
- Chemical burns, which are caused by exposure to toxic substances
- Radiation burns, which are typically caused by prolonged exposure to radiation
- Electrical burns, which can be caused by exposure to live electricity and electrocution
- Cold burns or frostbite
- Friction burns, where something hard rubs off part of the skin
Any of these burns can have serious consequences. Deep and widespread burns require immediate medical attention. It’s also possible that a burn injury could worsen over time, so it’s important to pay attention to your symptoms.
How Common Are Burn Injuries?
According to the American Burn Association, one person dies in a fire every two hours and 35 minutes. CDC reports show that about 1.1 million burn victims in the United States require some type of medical treatment each year.
Many of those victims are treated and released. However, about 50,000 burn victims require hospitalization each year. About 20,000 burn injuries are classified as severe, meaning they cover at least 25% of the victim’s body.
Unfortunately, many burn injuries are also fatal. About 4,500 burn victims die from their injuries each year. Another 10,000 burn victims die from infections caused by the burn.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Burn Injuries?
Doctors classify burns based on the burn’s depth. Fourth-degree burns are the most serious burns, while first-degree burns are the least serious. The symptoms of a burn injury will vary depending on degree.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns can be red and painful to the touch. However, only the top layer of skin, or epidermis, is damaged. These types of burn injuries rarely cause any long-term damage and typically heal on their own.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns damage both the epidermis and the layer of skin beneath, which is called the dermis.
Signs of a second-degree burn include:
- Redness
- Blistering
- Swelling
- Skin that appears shiny and wet
Depending on the depth of the burn, the victim may suffer permanent scarring or a change in skin color.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns are also called “full thickness burns.” These burns damage both the epidermis and dermis. Instead of appearing red, third-degree burns often appear black, brown, white, or yellow.
Third-degree burn victims often don’t experience pain immediately because these burns often damage the nerve endings.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Fourth-degree burns can be life-threatening. They damage the outer layers of skin and extend into the tissue beneath. The muscles, tendons, and even bones can suffer damage.
If you have sustained a fourth-degree burn, your skin may appear white or leathery. However, due to damaged nerve endings, the burn may not be very painful at first–even if you can see exposed tissue and bone.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries can have serious long-term consequences.
Our lawyers often represent clients who have suffered:
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
- A need for painful skin grafting procedures
- Reconstructive surgeries
- Nerve damage
- Bone and joint problems
- Severe infection
- Amputations
- Internal organ damage
- Chronic pain
- Skin thickening
- Organ failure and catastrophic injuries
- Shock
- Wrongful death
Severe burn injuries can also cause serious psychological damage. Many burn victims suffer from severe depression and PTSD that can last for years. These injuries can impact your life dramatically–and our lawyers won’t overlook their impact when we’re calculating the value of your burn injury case.
What Causes Most Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries can happen in many different ways.
Our lawyers often handle cases involving:
- Car accidents
- House fires, which may be caused by faulty electrical wiring, defective appliances, and even overloaded electrical outlets
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Defective products, including defective smoke detectors and defective household appliances
- Electrocution and exposure to live electricity
- Dangerous property conditions
Do you suspect that someone else’s careless or reckless acts caused your burn injury? Contact our law firm for a free case review right away. Our experienced Edgefield County burn injury attorneys can help you find out who is responsible for your damages.
What Is My Edgefield County Burn Injury Case Worth?
Treating a serious burn injury can be a lengthy process. Many burn victims undergo months or years of treatment in a hospital or burn center. This type of ongoing treatment can be extremely expensive.
Our lawyers evaluate many different factors when determining how much a personal injury case is worth, including:
- The severity of the burn
- The cost of your medical treatment
- The types of future treatment and medical care you will need
- How the injury impacts your earnings and future ability to work
- How the injury impacts your quality of lifestyle and mental health
- The circumstances of the accident and injury
It’s important to understand your case value before agreeing to settle with the insurance company. It’s also important to realize that your initial insurance settlement offer may not be fair.
Most victims have questions about their case value. To learn more, call our accident lawyers to discuss your case in detail today.
What Compensation Can I Recover for My Burn Injuries in Edgefield County, South Carolina?
Burn injury victims can seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
You may be entitled to money for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future medical bills
- Lost future earning capacity
- Rehabilitative care, including skin grafting and surgeries
- Counseling
- Long-term care
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Depression
- Loss of consortium and damage to relationships
Our lawyers are dedicated to helping injured clients recover the maximum compensation they deserve. We’ll evaluate your case carefully and help you identify all of the damages you have suffered due to the burn injury.
How Long Do I Have To File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in South Carolina?
Under South Carolina law, injured parties typically have three years to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. The timeline begins to run on the date your injury occurred. Once three years pass, you lose your right to sue the at-fault party for damages.
Contact an Edgefield County Burn Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you sustained a burn injury because someone else was careless, you have rights. You may be entitled to significant compensation. Contact an Edgefield County burn injury lawyer at Hawk Law Group to learn more about how we can help today.
