Burn injury cases involve intense physical and emotional trauma, which is why it’s crucial to work with an experienced burn injury attorney to ensure you recover fair compensation, whether through litigation or burn injury settlements. At Ashenden & Associates, the Sandy Springs burn injury lawyers understand the unique challenges burn injuries present, including the assessment of long-term medical needs, the calculation of lost wages, and the emotional distress associated with a burn injury. That’s why our burn injury lawyers are dedicated to securing a favorable burn injury settlement for each of our clients.
Our Sandy Springs burn injury attorneys have extensive experience in lawsuits involving burn injuries and other life-threatening injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, let our burn injury lawyers worry about securing a reasonable burn injury settlement in your personal injury lawsuit so you can focus on recovery.
If you need to recover compensation for a burn injury in Atlanta or Sandy Springs, GA, call an experienced burn injury lawyer at 770-394-8909 to schedule a free consultation.
Thermal Burns vs. Chemical Burns
Thermal burns and chemical burns, though both devastating, differ in their causes and the nature of the injuries they cause. Thermal burns result from exposure to heat sources like steam, fire, hot liquids, or surfaces. These burn injuries cause damage to the skin through direct contact, resulting in injuries that range from superficial to subcutaneous tissue damage.
Chemical burns, however, occur when skin comes into contact with acidic and alkaline substances. The severity of chemical burn injuries varies based on the type of chemical and length of exposure. These burns can cause surface damage and deeper tissue harm, often continuing to injure the skin until the chemical is completely removed.
Our Sandy Springs chemical burn lawyer team can help victims of chemical burns caused by someone else’s negligence pursue compensation for physical pain and damages related to their burn injury.
Chemical Burn Lawsuit Settlements vs Thermal Burn Lawsuit Settlements
Chemical burn and thermal burn injury settlements represent distinct legal outcomes in personal injury cases, each with its own factors and considerations.
In chemical burn injury cases, the focus often lies in determining liability, whether it be the manufacturer of a hazardous substance, an employer’s negligence, or a property owner’s failure to provide proper warning or protection. Chemical burn injury settlements may vary widely depending on the severity of the burns, long-term health implications, and the extent of negligence involved.
On the other hand, thermal burn injury settlements are typically centered around factors such as product liability or premises liability in Sandy Springs when faulty equipment or inadequate safety measures are at fault. The thermal burn injury compensation may also depend on the degree of burns and the impact on the victim’s life.
How Much Is My Burn Claim Worth?
Understanding the value of a burn injury claim is crucial for anyone who has suffered from burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence or workplace accidents. This section will offer insight into the factors that influence the value of a burn injury lawsuit. Our experienced personal injury lawyer group explores the different types of burns and the components contributing to the total burn injury settlement, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Whether you’re dealing with a minor burn injury or a life-altering, full thickness burn, understanding the potential value of a burn injury claim is for those who want to recover compensation through burn injury lawsuits.
First Degree Burns
First-degree burns are mild injuries characterized by superficial damage that impacts the outer layer of the skin or epidermis. Symptoms for first-degree burns include redness, minor inflammation, and pain but do not result in blistering.
Common causes of first-degree burns include brief contact with hot surfaces, sunburns, or minor scalds. First-degree burns usually heal within a week and don’t require extensive medical treatment.
First-Degree Burn Compensation
Since a first-degree burn doesn’t often result in significant injuries, it’s rare for a person to require first-degree burn compensation for lost wages, medical expenses, and other damages that can be recovered from a burn injury lawsuit. In the rare event that a burn injury attorney takes your burn injury case, the expected settlement compensation for the first-degree burn injury would be less than $5,000.
Second Degree Burns
Second-degree burns are serious skin injuries penetrating past the epidermis to the dermis layer. Symptoms of second-degree burns are redness, swelling, and blisters with a notable wet or shiny appearance. The physical pain associated with severe second-degree burns is much more intense than first-degree burns.
Common causes of severe second-degree burns include prolonged exposure to hot liquids, chemicals, or direct flame. Healing from second-degree burns often requires more extensive medical treatment, including possible infection prevention measures and sometimes skin grafting in severe second-degree burn cases.
The recovery period for a second-degree burn can extend for weeks or longer, depending on the burn’s severity and the affected area’s size. A second-degree burn can also result in permanent scarring if the injury is serious enough.
2nd Degree Burn Lawsuit Settlement Amounts
Victims of second-degree burn injuries often stand a good chance of receiving compensation, especially in cases where the burn injuries cover a substantial area of the body. Second-degree burn settlements will rely heavily on what caused the accident and the severity of the burn injury.
Depending on these factors along with how much the plaintiff suffered, burn injury victims might recover compensation amounting anywhere from $25,000 to $75,000 to cover their damages. When a second-degree burn results in permanent scarring, second-degree burn settlements tend to be on the higher end.
Third Degree Burns
Third-degree burns are among the most severe and traumatic types of skin injuries. A third-degree burn penetrates the entire skin thickness, destroying both the epidermis and dermis layers and damaging subcutaneous tissue, such as nerve endings, fat, and muscles. The appearance of third-degree burns can vary, showing charred skin or a dry and leathery texture, and may range in color from white to brown or black. Due to nerve damage, severe third-degree burns may be painless.
Common causes of third-degree burns include prolonged exposure to high-heat sources, electrical burns, or certain chemicals. Treatment for third-degree burns is complex and extensive, often requiring specialized medical intervention such as skin grafting, reconstructive surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. The recovery process for third-degree burns is typically prolonged and challenging, with a high risk of complications like infections and significant scarring.
3rd Degree Burn Settlement Amounts
Given the intensity and extensive medical treatment required following a third-degree burn injury, including surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation, third-degree burn settlements can be significant. Third-degree burn settlements cover medical bills and account for the prolonged period of lost wages or loss of earning capacity due to the lengthy recovery process.
There is also consideration for non-economic damages accounting for the physical and emotional pain the burn victim suffered. On average, third-degree burn injury cases can result in up to $100,000 in damages.
Fourth Degree Burns
Fourth-degree burns are the most severe burn injuries. A fourth-degree burn is so profound that it often causes irreparable damage to the affected area, leading to functional impairment or even loss of the affected limb. The appearance of fourth-degree burns can be gruesome, with exposed bone and charred tissue, and the affected area might not exhibit pain due to the destruction of nerve endings.
Causes of such fourth-degree burns include prolonged exposure to extremely high temperatures, electrical accidents, or exposure to caustic chemicals. Treatment for fourth-degree burns is complex, often requiring multiple surgeries, including reconstructive and grafting procedures and long-term rehabilitation.
Our Sandy Springs catastrophic injury attorneys understand the road to recovery for victims of fourth-degree burns is challenging. It can involve not just physical healing but also extensive psychological support to cope with the trauma and life changes brought about by such severe burn injuries.
How Much is a Fourth Degree Burn Worth?
Due to the extensive damage to bones, muscles, and tendons, in addition to potential lifelong disabilities and disfigurements, a fourth-degree burn injury claim is quite substantial. Fourth-degree burn settlements cover immediate and ongoing medical bills, which include multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and extensive rehabilitation, but also cover long-term care needs.
The non-economic damages in fourth-degree burn settlements are significant, taking into account the severe pain, suffering, and psychological trauma associated with these devastating injuries. The average settlement value for these cases can be up to $1 million.
What is the Average Burn Injury Settlement?
The average settlement amount for burn injury lawsuits is based on factors such as the degree of the burn, the extent of the physical and emotional trauma, the cost of medical treatment, and the impact on the burn victim. So if a burn victim suffers from a first-degree burn injury, the chances they can recover compensation are minimal. However, a victim with a more severe burn injury can recover more compensation, whether through litigation or a burn injury settlement, depending on the severity.
Factors like the negligence level of the responsible party and the jurisdiction where the burn injury lawsuit is filed can also influence the average settlement amount. Since this type of personal injury lawsuit varies on a case-by-case basis, consulting with a Sandy Springs burn injury lawyer is recommended.
At Ashenden & Associates, an experienced personal injury lawyer can provide insight into your specific burn injury case and offer a better idea of what a fair settlement looks like for your burn injury claim.
Burn Compensation Calculator: How Burn Injury Settlements Are Calculated
Since each burn injury case is unique, the circumstances surrounding the accident and injury are evaluated to get a clearer picture of the average burn injury settlement. These factors include the severity of the burn, the extent and cost of medical treatment required, the impact on the victim’s ability to work, and the long-term physical and psychological effects.
Where and How the Burn Injury Occurred
Understanding where and how the burn injury occurred is fundamental in establishing liability and negligence. For example, a burn injury occurring in a workplace may implicate occupational safety standards and workers’ compensation laws, whereas a burn resulting from a defective product might lead to a product liability lawsuit. Also, burns sustained in a public space can involve premises liability, depending on the property owner’s negligence.
The specific details of where and how the injury occurred help establish fault and responsibility, which are critical in determining the validity and value of the claim. Detailed documentation of the incident, including the environment, any hazardous conditions, and the sequence of events leading to the injury, is critical when proving the personal injury claim.
If you’ve sustained chemical or electrical burns at work, contact a Sandy Springs work injury lawyer for a free consultation.
Availability of Punitive Damages
In burn injury cases, punitive damages are not always applicable. These damages are distinct from compensatory damages and are intended as a form of punishment for the defendant and a deterrent against similar conduct in the future.
Punitive damages are awarded in cases where the defendant’s actions were especially harmful, reckless, or egregious. For example, suppose a burn injury resulted from a deliberate act or gross negligence, such as when an employer knowingly disregards safety protocols. In that case, a court might consider punitive damages.
The availability and extent of punitive damages vary depending on the jurisdiction and the case’s circumstances. They are not awarded in every case and are usually subject to specific legal standards and limitations.
Damages for Pain and Suffering
In burn injury settlements, compensation for emotional distress and pain and suffering reflects the profound non-economic impact of such injuries. Burn injuries are often not only physically debilitating but also emotionally traumatic, potentially leading to long-term psychological consequences like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The calculation of these damages considers the severity of the pain experienced, the recovery duration, and the extent to which the victim’s daily life and mental well-being have been affected. Unlike medical bills or lost wages, which have tangible financial values, assessing compensation for emotional distress and pain and suffering is more subjective and varies significantly from case to case. Legal systems use specific criteria to quantify these non-economic damages, ensuring that burn injury victims receive fair compensation that acknowledges the invisible but profound suffering they endure.
Workers’ Compensation for Burn Injuries
Workers’ compensation supports employees who sustain burn injuries while performing their duties. It offers a safety net covering medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and lost wages. Unlike personal injury cases, workers’ compensation does not require burn injury victims to prove employer negligence, making it a more straightforward path to obtaining necessary funds for recovery.
The specifics of what is covered and the amount of compensation can vary on the state’s workers’ compensation laws and the severity of the burn injury. Injured workers must report the injury promptly and follow the procedures to file a workers’ compensation claim. This system ensures that employees receive timely and appropriate care and financial support to aid in their recovery from work-related burn injuries without the complexities of a legal battle over liability.
Damages for a Burn Injury Claim
Even though each burn injury lawsuit is different, your personal injury attorney from Ashenden & Associates will work to recover fair compensation for your burn injuries. The most common damages awarded include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Counseling expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Emotional distress
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
For cases involving burn injuries and toxic exposure, such as the recent Conyers BioLab fire, our lawyers will pursue long-term and punitive damages. If you’ve been injured by toxic chemical exposure, contact our Conyers BioLab fire lawsuit attorney team at Ashenden & Associates.
Sandy Springs Burn Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one has suffered from a burn injury, it’s crucial to have experienced legal representation to navigate your claim. The experienced burn injury attorneys at Ashenden & Associates understand the significant impact a burn injury can have on your life. To learn more about pursuing your burn injury claim in Sandy Springs, call Ashenden & Associates today at 770-394-8909.
