There are four classifications of burns based on the severity of the damage:
- First-degree burn — These minor burns typically cause damage to the outermost layers of skin. Common symptoms of first-degree burns include inflammation and swelling of the affected area, redness, and dry peeling. Generally, you can treat first-degree burns at home by running the affected area under cold water and using antibiotic cream.
- Second-degree burn — A second-degree burn extends to deeper layers of the skin, causing blisters and leaving the affected area red and sore. Blisters from second-degree burns can sometimes burst, giving the skin a wet appearance. Second-degree burns are much more painful than first-degree burns and carry a higher risk of infection. Seek medical attention if you suffer a second-degree burn, especially if it’s on a sensitive area like your hands, feet, head, face, chest, or groin.
- Third-degree burns — A third-degree burn can extend through every layer of the skin, causing extreme damage. Third-degree burns can be overwhelmingly painful or cause so much nerve damage that the victim cannot feel pain at all. Third-degree burns turn the skin a brown or black color. The skin can also char, take on a leathery look, or have a waxy appearance. These severe burns require intensive treatment and result in severe scarring and disfigurement.
- Fourth-degree burns — In a fourth-degree burn, the damage goes beyond the skin to affect the bones and connective tissues.
Life after a severe burn injury may never be the same again. You shouldn’t be responsible for paying for the costs of ongoing medical care and disability if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries. It’s vital to speak with a Montgomery burn injury lawyer to learn whether you have a valid legal claim.
Benefits of Filing a Burn Injury Lawsuit
The primary reason to file a burn injury lawsuit is to seek the compensation you deserve for your losses. Even without complications, a severe burn injury can cost more than $1.5 million to treat. Factoring in complications, and that number can top $10 million. If someone else is responsible for your injuries, a successful legal claim can provide you with the financial resources you need for your recovery and whatever the future holds.
How to Prove Liability in a Burn Injury Case
To recover compensation for a burn injury, you will need to prove that another party was negligent, or careless and that their carelessness directly led to your injuries. This means collecting compelling evidence to show the other party had a duty to keep you safe from harm and that their actions ― or failure to act ― caused your injury.
Suppose you were burned in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. Examples of evidence that your burn injuries attorney could use to prove liability in your case include:
- Police accident reports
- Medical records
- Eyewitness accounts
- Accident scene photos
- Surveillance video footage
- Medical bills, pay stubs, rehabilitation, and co-pay receipts
- Expert witness testimony
Compensation for Your Burn Injuries
Alabama law allows you to seek full and fair compensation when someone else harms you. Depending on the nature and severity of your burn injuries, you could pursue compensation for:
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Medications
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity (if disabled)
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Burn Injury Lawyers Serving Montgomery, AL
If you’ve suffered a severe burn injury in Alabama, don’t settle with the insurance company until you’ve spoken with an experienced personal injury lawyer. Contact Stokes Stemle, LLC today. Our proven legal team will listen to your story and place an appropriate dollar value on your burn injury claim. Then we’ll fight for the money and justice you deserve.
Call or fill out a contact form for a free consultation with a trusted Montgomery burn injury attorney today.
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