On top of being extremely painful, severe burns can cause permanent scars and loss of feeling in the affected area. These injuries can be difficult and expensive to treat, and in severe cases, victims may never make a full recovery. If someone else’s recklessness or carelessness led to your burn injuries, they should have to pay for the short and long-term repercussions.
Getting paid fairly for the harm you’ve experienced will be much easier with one of our Norristown burn injury lawyers on your side. Representation from a well-known attorney at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Recently, we won $1.2 million for a client who suffered severe burn injuries from an electrical shock while at work. We have obtained millions in settlements and verdicts for over 30,000 injured victims in Pennsylvania. Let us put our experience and winning attitude to work for you.
Types and Degrees of Burn Injuries
Medical professionals sort burn injuries into “degrees” based on the damage the burn does to the affected area.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns are the least severe type of burn injury. They only affect the outermost layer of skin—the “epidermis”—and usually do not require any medical treatment beyond basic first aid. However, if you suffer first-degree burns over a large portion of your body, or if you suffer this kind of burn in a sensitive area like your groin or the palms of your hands, you might need professional medical care. In these situations, our skilled Norristown burn attorneys can advise on whether you have grounds for a lawsuit.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns are more severe and cause damage to both the epidermis and the “dermis” layer of skin underneath it. Unlike first-degree burns, which usually only cause redness and a sore feeling in the affected area, second-degree burns often cause blistering and skin discoloration. They can also be extremely painful. Even if you get emergency medical treatment for this type of burn, you may end up permanently scarred in the affected area.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns are even more severe, affecting both skin layers and often causing damage to muscles and ligaments underneath. Anyone who suffers a third-degree burn needs immediate emergency care. Victims may need extensive skin graft surgeries to minimize long-term damage.
What Losses Could You Get Paid for After a Burn Accident?
Generally, the more severe your burn injury, the more money you can demand in a settlement proposal or lawsuit. The value of a personal injury case is based on how much harm a particular injury will cause in the short and long term, as your burn accident lawyer can explain.
Specific losses that often play into cases like this include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost ability to work and/or work wages
- Property damage
- Emotional and psychological trauma
In rare cases involving extremely negligent or criminal behavior, a court may award additional punitive damages.
Contact a Norristown Burn Injury Attorney Today
Suffering a burn injury because another person acted carelessly or recklessly is a traumatic and overwhelming experience. Fortunately, you have rights that a seasoned legal professional can help you take full advantage of.
After a severe accident, talking to a Norristown burn injury lawyer at our firm will give you the answers you need. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers to discuss your case in a free consultation. You will not pay us anything until we recover the compensation you need, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.