Burns are surprisingly common injuries that can result from exposure to flames, friction, chemicals, or even radiation. Unfortunately, burns are often permanent injuries that affect not just your physical health but also your emotional well-being and ability to earn a living. Even with extensive medical care, you may never make a full recovery.
If another person or company is responsible for an incident that results in a burn, you have the right to seek out appropriate compensation for your losses and a South Bend burn injury lawyer may be able to help. A compassionate civil attorney could help you prove fault for a burn and demand proper payments in and out of court.
Understanding Third-Degree Burns
Every burn is an injury that requires a person’s attention. However, not every burn may justify seeking out compensation from at-fault parties.
A catastrophic burn is one that falls under the category of being third degree. This means that the burn is so severe that the upper levels of tissue are completely destroyed. A third-degree burn may also char a person’s bones. There are few ways for doctors to treat these injuries and they may even recommend amputation as the only way to decrease a person’s pain or stop an infection.
While determining the degree by which a person was burned has nothing to do with whether a defendant was liable for the incident, it is helpful when determining an appropriate level of compensation. A South Bend attorney could provide more information about the seriousness of burn injuries and when an individual may be able to demand significant compensation.
Potential Sources of Severe Burn Injuries
Most people imagine burns as a result of exposure to flames or other sources of heat sources. A person may suffer severe burns after a car crash in South Bend that result in burning gasoline or oil. They may also endure heat burns from defective stoves or furnaces.
In addition, burns can result from friction. These can affect bicycle or motorcycle riders involved in collisions with other travelers. In these situations, they may slide along the pavement and endure a burning of their skin from the resulting heat.
Another potential source of burns is exposure to dangerous substances or hazards. People visiting industrial sites or factories may experience burns due to a chemical spill. It is also possible to endure these injuries as the result of exposure to radiation in a hospital or research facility.
Regardless of the way in which an individual is burned, a South Bend lawyer could fight to protect their legal rights. This includes identifying the reason for the burn and holding at-fault parties liable for exposing a person to these hazards.
Seeking Compensation After Being Burned
The goal of a personal injury is to demand the payments that a plaintiff needs to set things right. This includes reimbursement for the costs of all necessary past and future medical care, lost quality of life, pain, suffering, and emotional traumas. Additionally, many cases seek out payments for decreased earning capacity due to permanent disability.
A South Bend burn injury attorney could help individuals to seek out these payments through insurance settlements or civil lawsuits. They also work to pursue compensation within the applicable time limits. Under Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4, most people have no more than two years from the date of the incident to demand payments. The sooner an individual gets to work demanding payment, the better their chances of success.
Speak to a South Bend Catastrophic Injury Attorney Now
Burns come in many levels of severity and can occur under a variety of circumstances. Fortunately, you may be able to collect compensation for your medical bills, lost quality of life, and missing income after being burned.
A South Bend burn injury lawyer could work by your side to investigate the incident, or even a catastrophic injury attorney in South Bend will help, measure your losses, and hold at-fault defendants liable for their actions. Contact us now to learn more.
