Several accidents like chemical spills or car crashes carry the potential for burn injuries. Burns can result in excruciating pain, scarring, and disfigurement. Paying for skin grafts and other treatment options may exceed your means.
If you suffered severe burn injuries caused by another party’s negligence, you may be able to take legal action. A Birmingham burn injury attorney can answer your questions and help you build a strong case for compensation. Learn about burn injury litigation and the legal assistance available to you.
Burns May Cause Serious Bodily Harm
The American Burn Association estimates that 1.1 million burn injuries happen every year in the U.S. As many as 10,000 die due to burn-related infections. Although injuries should always be taken seriously, burns can vary in severity.
First-Degree Burns
Minor burns that only damage the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, are classified as first-degree burns. You may have this level of injury if your skin is red or dry, but not blistered. First-degree burns can be treated at home but generally heal on their own.
Second-Degree Burns
Moderate burns cause injuries to deeper layers of skin, damaging both the epidermis and the dermis. You may have a second-degree burn if your skin has blistered. This level of injury will require medical attention, possibly even skin grafts.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns and above are considered major burns. These grievous burns can injure the skin and underlying tissue. A third-degree burn can cause:
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of limbs
- Loss of mobility
- Infections
A third-degree burn always requires treatment and may need multiple surgeries. Even with immediate care, third-degree burns can leave you permanently disabled. Fourth- and fifth-degree burns often cause damage down to the bone. Sixth-degree burns are usually fatal.
For a free legal consultation with a Burn Injury lawyer serving Birmingham, call (205) 380-4158
Birmingham Burn Injury FAQ
Get answers to frequently asked questions from a Birmingham burn injury lawyer. Knowing your legal rights is the first step in taking action to preserve your chances of compensation.
Can You Sue for a Burn Injury?
Can You Sue if You Get Burned at Work?
How Much Is a Burn Injury Case Worth?
Can You Sue for a Burn Injury?
As with any accident that happens in Alabama, you have the right to sue if you were hurt by another party’s negligence. To be successful with your case, your lawyer must prove:
- The party who caused your injury owed you a duty of care
- This duty of care was breached
- You suffered an injury
- Your injuries were caused by the defendant’s actions
Whether you were in a house fire or a motor vehicle fire, you may have grounds to sue after a burn injury. An Alabama burn injuries lawyer can discuss your situation in detail to determine your best option for financial recovery.
Can You Sue if You Get Burned at Work?
In the case of work-related burn injuries in Alabama, you cannot sue your employer. Workers’ compensation exists for the purpose of covering workplace injuries to prevent this from happening. Even if your employer is directly at fault, they’re still protected from lawsuits.
But the benefit of workers’ comp is that you don’t have to prove your employer was at fault or that you were not at fault. The system was designed to protect employees and employers alike. If you get burned at work, you can file a claim with the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Alabama Department of Labor.
If for some reason your claim gets denied, you’ll want to work with a Birmingham burn injury attorney to fight the decision with an appeal.
How Much Is a Burn Injury Case Worth?
Many factors will determine the settlement you may receive for your burn injury. Cases with minimal injuries may resolve for as little as a few thousand dollars. If you have significant losses, your case may be worth anywhere from $40,000 to $1,000,000.
A burn injury attorney in Birmingham can review your case to give you an idea of what your particular case may be worth.
Why You Should Hire a Burn Injury Lawyer
Our team of Birmingham burn injury lawyers at Morris Bart & Associates, LLC knows the lasting devastation a burn injury may cause. Our law firm can assist you with your case by:
- Consulting with you for free
- Gathering evidence, including medical records and police reports
- Seeking safety expert advice regarding the cause of the accident
- Identifying who may be liable for your injuries
Keeping your doctor’s appointments while trying to negotiate a settlement with insurance can be overwhelming. You can let your lawyer manage your case while you recuperate. We can estimate your total losses resulting from your burn injury and build a strong case to seek compensation.
Click to contact our Birmingham Personal Injury Attorneys today
Statute of Limitations for a Burn Injury in Birmingham, AL
It’s in your best interest to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Under Ala. Code § 6-2-38, you have up to two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Alabama. If you let the statute of limitations expire, you will lose the right to file a burn injury claim to recover compensation.
Team Up With Our Birmingham Burn Injury Attorneys
Our law firm has been fighting for injured accident victims for more than 40 years. We won over 6,500 personal injury lawsuits in 2019 alone and recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
Call us 24/7 to schedule a case review with a burn injury lawyer in Birmingham from Morris Bart & Associates, LLC. Your consultation is free and we work on a contingency. Pay us nothing unless we win your burn injury case.
Questions?Call (205) 380-4158
to find a Morris Bart office near you.
