Burn injuries can occur when you least expect them. From thermal burns to contact with caustic chemicals, a severe burn injury can quickly turn your life upside down. If you have suffered a burn due to another person’s negligence, you may benefit from discussing your situation with a dedicated catastrophic injury attorney.
Our skilled legal team at the A.W. Smith Law Firm, P.C is ready to take on your case. We have the knowledge, tools, skills, and resources available to help you seek justice for your damages.
The complications from severe burn injuries can affect you for the rest of your life. When another person is responsible for your burns, they may be required to pay you compensation. Let a skilled Columbia, MO burn injury lawyer help your case.
The classification of a burn injury depends on the severity of the damage it causes, coupled with the layer of skin affected. While minor burns can leave little more than irritation on the surface of the skin, severe burns can damage or even destroy deep layers of skin or muscle. An experienced Columbia burn injury lawyer may evaluate your injuries and advise you on your potential for recovering damages from your wounds.
The least severe form of burn wounds is known as first-degree burns. Also referred to as superficial burns, first-degree burns affect only the outermost layer of the skin. These burns can involve redness or irritation and typically heal within a few days.
Second-degree burns affect not only the exterior skin but some deeper layers as well. Also known as a partial thickness burn, second-degree burns may lead to swelling, blisters, and intense pain. These burns can take longer to heal than first-degree burns but typically have no long-term consequences.
Third-degree burns are significantly more severe than second-degree burns and can carry lifelong scarring and disfigurement. Known as full-thickness burns, these injuries often reach the innermost layer of skin. Third-degree burns are so severe that the site of the burn is often charred.
The most severe form of burns are fourth-degree burns. These burns often damage every layer of skin. In the most extreme instances, these burns may damage muscle or even bone. Fourth-degree burns are often fatal.
Recovering for a severe burn can be a long, slow process. Unfortunately, that process can also be costly. Many serious burn injuries require a lengthy series of medical procedures, many of which can span months or years. The cost of these procedures can easily cost thousands.
Scarring and disfigurement are commonplace in burn injuries. The plastic surgery needed to correct these wounds can be costly. The aftercare of these procedures can also be significant, as the risk of infection is high. In the worst cases, initial attempts at treatment can fail. This leads to the necessity of additional attempts and increases the risk of new side effects.
The high cost of recovering from a severe burn can complicate these troubles if a burn victim misses work due to the injury. Without the resources from a steady paycheck, a victim may struggle to meet their monthly bills, never mind the additional costs of burn injury recovery. With the help of a knowledgeable Columbia burn accident attorney, an injury victim may be able to recover compensation to offset these expenses.
If another person is at fault for your burn injuries, you have the right to pursue that person for your damages. Burn injury lawsuits can be challenging, but you do not have to take one on by yourself. A Columbia burn injury lawyer could help you from filing your case to settlement negotiations. Call the A.W. Smith Law Firm to get started on your case.
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