High-degree burns are often painful injuries that can have long-lasting implications on a victim’s life. These injuries can result from a variety of scenarios caused by another person’s negligence, leading to significant losses for the burn victim.
If you suffered harm due to someone else’s careless or reckless behavior, an Atlanta burn injury lawyer could be a vital ally from start to finish of your case. At the Gunn Law Group, a dedicated attorney can assist with settlement negotiations or a civil lawsuit to pursue the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
Recovering for Burn Injury Losses
Burns sustained through accidents caused by negligence can often serve as grounds for civil litigation. To justify a lawsuit or settlement demand, a burn injury must have been severe enough to require professional medical attention of some kind, meaning that most first-degree burns—which generally heal completely on their own with basic first aid or often no treatment at all—do not warrant civil litigation.
On the other hand, second-degree and third-degree burns have the potential to cause permanent scarring and long-term loss of sensation. These types of injuries often warrant civil litigation to cover a victim’s damages.
Damages in Severe Burn Cases
Any case built around a serious burn could seek restitution for past losses, such as the cost of immediate medical care and lost wages from time off of work. A claim could also pursue compensation for projected losses stemming from the injury. For example, a high-degree burn resulting in permanent disfigurement may result in expensive short-term medical bills as well as:
- Long-term rehabilitative care costs
- Lost work income and/or earning capacity
- Physical and emotional pain
- Lost quality of life
All these losses could be factored into a comprehensive claim. An Atlanta burn injury attorney can review a case and determine what damages a victim may be able to recover.
Deadlines for Burn Accident Claims in Atlanta
Even if a victim and their lawyer have extensive evidence proving someone else legally to blame for the burn injury, they may be unable to recover any compensation if they wait too long to pursue litigation. This is because of Official Code of Georgia §9-3-33, also known as the statute of limitations for personal injury claims.
Under this section of state law, any person physically injured by someone else’s negligence generally has two years after the date of the incident to file suit for ensuing damages. An injured person who fails to meet this deadline is almost always ineligible to obtain compensation for that particular incident. As such, it is crucial for burn victims to reach out to a skilled attorney at our firm as soon as possible.
Talk to an Atlanta Burn Injury Attorney About Legal Options
Burns are often severe injuries with substantial consequences. Seeking fair financial recovery in the wake of a devastating accident can be difficult, making it important for victims to work with legal counsel on a claim for compensation.
If you recently sustained these types of wounds in an incident caused by someone else, seek advice from an Atlanta burn injury lawyer. At the Gunn Law Group, our team can work diligently on your behalf to secure a positive result in your case. Call today to schedule a meeting.