Burns can be some of the most painful and debilitating injuries you ever experience. Not only can these injuries result in severe pain, but they can also cause long-lasting consequences, including costly medical bills, lost wages, and permanent emotional and physical pain. However, if another party is at-fault for an accident that caused your burn injury, you have the right to demand compensation.
An attorney may be able to help you to seek the compensation you need to get back on your feet. A Plantation, FL personal injury lawyer could gather the evidence needed to hold a defendant responsible for their actions and work to pursue a favorable case outcome on your behalf.
The Levels of Burn Injuries
Burns can occur in a variety of ways and differ in severity. Common causes of burn injuries include:
- Flame exposure from a malfunctioning product or vehicle
- Friction after sliding on pavement or becoming trapped under machinery
- Accidental exposure to dangerous chemicals
The most superficial burns are first-degree burns. These are injuries affect the topmost layer of skin and can be treated with bandages and topical creams.
Moderate examples are known as second-degree burns, which affect the subdermal layers of tissue and damage nerve endings. These burns are often excruciating and may require surgery.
The most intensive burns are third-degree – these injuries destroy the affected tissue and often require skin grafts and antibiotics to prevent infection. In some cases, doctors may be forced to amputate a person’s limbs where a third-degree burn occurred. A hardworking attorney in Plantation like David Fuchs could determine the cause and severity of a burn to help a plaintiff file their claim correctly.
Burns as Examples of Catastrophic Injuries
Many burns are temporary injuries. For example, in the case of a first-degree burn, a patient is likely to make a full recovery. Even second-degree burns are manageable with proper treatment, but they may leave a patient with a scar. However, third-degree burns are likely to cause permanent damage. In some cases, these injuries may be considered catastrophic.
A catastrophic injury is one that significantly impacts a person’s ability to function. In the case of burns, this usually involves scenarios that require amputation as well as burns that cover a significant part of an individual’s body.
Are Burn Injury Claims Subject to a Statute of Limitations?
Regardless of how severe a burn may be, it is still necessary to prove that another party’s reckless actions caused harm. However, is vital to do this quickly, as Florida Statute §95.11 gives individuals only four years from the date of injury to pursue a claim. A knowledgeable lawyer in Plantation could demand appropriate payments from at-fault defendants and ensure burn accident claims are filed within the appropriate timeframe.
Contact a Plantation Burn Injury Attorney to Get Started
Burns are a common, yet painful result of many accidents. Whether the burn is the product of exposure to flames, heat, friction, or chemicals, these injuries have the potential to cause severe pain, permanent scarring, or loss of function in the affected body part.
A Plantation burn injury lawyer could help to hold responsible parties liable for their actions. The right defendant to target could include negligent car drivers, inattentive salon attendants, or even distracted medical professionals. If you need aggressive legal representation for your burn, reach out to David Fuchs today to get started on your case.
