College Park Burn Injury Attorneys

Nearly 400,000 Americans need medical care for burn injuries annually. The toll that these injuries can take on victims and their families is difficult to fathom. If you’ve suffered a severe burn in the College Park area, speak with a burn injury lawyer from Kaufman Injury Law about your next steps.

Taking proper action quickly after a burn accident can make a world of difference to your post-accident experience. A successful claim for damages can give you the financial resources you need to recover and provide for your loved ones. An attorney from Kaufman Injury Law can give you personalized, practical advice and representation.

Injuries Commonly Experienced by College Park Burn Injury Victims

Every burn victim can attest that burns are extremely painful. When most people think of burn-related injuries, they picture a catastrophic fire or chemical spill. However, even a bad sunburn can cause serious, unignorable discomfort and prevent you from performing routine tasks normally.

Aside from pain, severe burns of any type can also cause:

• Scarring and disfiguring injuries to the skin
• Damage to the underlying muscle tissue and bone
• Nerve damage that can cause a permanent loss of sensation in the area
• Injuries requiring amputation
• Mental and emotional trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Burns that penetrate the middle layers of skin and deeper can also make it easier for the victim to contract an infection. Some of these infections, like staph infections, can lead to life-threatening conditions like sepsis.

In any significant burn injury, obtaining prompt medical care from qualified treatment providers is essential to obtaining the best prognosis. If you’re hurt in College Park or in the greater Atlanta area, this would mean seeing specialists at facilities like the Walter L. Ingram Burn Center.

Steps to Take After Suffering a Burn Injury

There’s little time to waste after a burn injury. Here are the steps you should take right away:

Assess the Severity of the Burn

Burns can be classified as first, second, or third-degree. What you do after a burn accident depends on how serious your injuries are. First-degree burns can often be treated with first aid, while third-degree burns are serious medical emergencies requiring immediate attention.

If your skin feels red and is warm to the touch but is otherwise undamaged, it’s likely a first-degree burn. Gently cooling the skin can provide some relief.

If a chemical spill caused the burn, wash the area with cold water for at least 20 minutes. Once the skin has cooled, apply a burn-safe lotion or cream to the skin and lightly dress it with bandages.

Second-degree burns are distinguished by blisters on the skin. Popping these blisters can expose you to the risk of infection, so it’s best to lightly dress them and get to a hospital as soon as you can. Third-degree burns appear charred or white and must be treated right away at the nearest hospital.

Get Appropriate Medical Care

Once you have an idea of how severe your burns are, don’t delay in seeking appropriate treatment. If you have extensive second-degree burns or third-degree burns, call 911 or get to a hospital as soon as possible. If you’re unsure how serious your burns are, going to the emergency room is the best course of action.

Gather as Much Evidence as You Can

If another party’s negligence caused your burn and you think you might want to pursue a claim for compensation, it’s critical to begin gathering evidence as soon as you’re able.

The details that will be necessary to support your claim could become forgotten or distorted over time. While getting medical attention is paramount, try to preserve as much evidence of your accident as possible. Specifically, try to write down or document:

• When and where the accident took place
• What caused the injury (fire, chemical spill, hot object, etc.)
• The extent of your injuries
• The names and contact information of anyone present
• The name of the responsible party and anything they said to you
• Any other details that stand out to you

If you can, take photographs or videos of the accident scene, the injuries you’ve sustained, and any visible hazards. However, don’t put off getting treatment or expose yourself to danger just to collect evidence of your burn accident.

Speak With an Experienced College Park Burn Injury Attorneys

Under Georgia’s personal injury statute of limitations, you only have two years to file a claim for damages. You can make the most of this time by talking to and retaining a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible. This will give your attorney time to investigate your case and file the necessary paperwork with the courts.

Your personal injury attorney in College Park can also provide you with personalized guidance as your case progresses. Their experience will enable them to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions that safeguard your health and protect your rights.

How to Tell Whether You Have a Viable Burn Injury Case

Some burn injury victims may hesitate to seek help from a lawyer until they know they have a case. Deciding whether you have a legitimate claim will require a legal professional to carefully evaluate your situation. However, you could have a case if the following are true:

• The other party acted carelessly, recklessly, or intentionally
• Their actions either caused or contributed to an accident
• The accident left you with injuries
• You incurred expenses and other losses because of your injuries

Because there are several legal theories under which people and businesses can be held responsible for burn injuries, it’s important to speak with an attorney. Only a College Park lawyer who has successfully resolved other burn accident claims can give you a straight answer as to your claim’s chances for success.

What Is Your Case Worth?

Just as an attorney’s assistance is necessary to evaluate your case, consulting a burn injury lawyer is the best way to learn your case’s value. A successful claim could provide compensation for:

• Past and future medical treatment, including reconstructive surgeries
• Occupational therapy or other any therapeutic services you might need
• Prosthetics, medical devices, and medications
• Compensation for time you missed from work
• Lost future earnings if your earning capacity is affected
• Mental and emotional pain and trauma

Suffering burn injuries like scars can permanently affect your quality of life. Similarly, you could be entitled to compensation if you can no longer enjoy the activities you once did.

Knowing the value of your case will allow you to have an informed discussion with your lawyer about resolving your burn injury claim.

Settlements are one way these claims can be resolved. However, suppose that you can’t settle your case for an appropriate amount. In that case, you may need to pursue compensation through the Fulton County Superior Court or another appropriate superior court with jurisdiction.

Determining how much compensation your losses deserve requires the knowledge and skill of a seasoned burn injury lawyer serving College Park. Your attorney can gather any bills or invoices you’ve received and inform you of ways to document your non-economic losses like pain and suffering.

Reach Out to Kaufman Injury Law Today to Start Your Claim

If you’ve suffered a burn injury through no fault of your own, the College Park burn injury attorneys at Kaufman Injury Law can help. You can trust our experienced attorneys to help you fight for justice and fair compensation. We’re committed to holding people accountable when their negligence injures others.

Contact our office to schedule your consultation today.