Severe burn injuries are excruciating, traumatic, and can leave you with permanent physical and psychological injuries. Serious burns, such as third or fourth-degree injuries, are among the most painful and traumatic a person can suffer.
Thankfully, when someone’s negligence causes you to sustain severe burns, this individual must pay for the consequences of their reckless actions. Call an aggressive and hard-working Florence burn injury lawyer to learn more about filing a lawsuit and seeking compensation. Our dedicated catastrophic injury attorneys can assess your case, collect evidence, and help you protect your legal rights.
The Different Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can vary in severity, and depending on the burn a person suffers, they may be able to treat them at home. However, severe burns require immediate medical care.
First-Degree Burns
A first-degree burn is a superficial injury that only involves the most outer layer of skin, called the epidermis. The site of a first-degree burn is usually mildly painful and appears red or dry but does not blister. A person with this type of burn can usually treat the wound at home by running it under cold water and applying petroleum jelly until it heals.
Second-Degree Burns
A second-degree burn is more painful and severe than a first-degree burn and affects the first and second layers of the skin. These injuries often appear swollen, red, or white, and blisters may develop. An individual suffering from a second-degree burn can usually treat the injury at home by running it under cold water, but they should watch to make sure the wound does not get infected.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns are severe and cause damage to all three layers of the skin. They often look white or tan and leathery. A person suffering from third-degree burns should seek care from a healthcare professional.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Fourth-degree burns are the most severe, with some cases being life threatening. They destroy all three layers of skin, muscle, and bone beneath the wound. Anyone suffering from fourth-degree burns must seek emergency medical treatment. Receiving adequate medical care also allows a burn injury attorney in Florence to implement medical records and assemble a compelling claim for compensation.
The Comparative Negligence Rule in Burn Injury Cases
It is common for the defendant in personal injury claims to assert that the plaintiff shares responsibility for the accident and resulting injuries. According to the Kentucky Revised Statutes § 411.182, the commonwealth follows a pure comparative fault rule. That means that if the jury finds the plaintiff shares fault for the accident and burn injuries, it will not bar them from recovering damages. Instead, the jury will subtract the portion of the plaintiff’s liability from the compensation award.
For example, if the court determines that the total award amount is $100,00, but the claimant is 15 percent responsible for the accident, the total award they would collect is $85,000. A burn injury lawyer in Florence can answer questions about the pure comparative fault rule and help estimate the potential damage recovery for the case.
Meet With a Tenacious Florence Burn Injury Attorney Today
If a person’s actions caused an accident leading to you sustaining severe burn injuries, you might be eligible to collect compensation from the at-fault party. Burns can be costly, and they might significantly impact your life, but an award for compensation could repay you for your expenses and help you get back on your feet.
The civil court process is complex and challenging to navigate without the help of a skilled legal professional. Reach out to a Florence burn injury lawyer today to schedule your initial consultation. Our legal team has decades of experience and can help you make the most of this challenging situation.
