Gainesville Burn Injury Attorneys

Burns can cause excruciating pain as well as result in scars that you could have for the rest of your life. Most people don’t realize just how frequently burn injuries occur — or that some burns even lead to fatalities. In 2023 alone, Georgia experienced 75 home fire fatalities, with thousands of people ending up in the ICU for a variety of burn injuries.

If you suffered a burn injury that sent you to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center Gainesville Emergency Room, you may not know what your options are going forward. Georgia law allows you to file a personal injury claim for compensation if a burn injury results from someone else’s wrongful or negligent conduct.

The team of Gainesville burn injury attorneys at Kaufman Injury Law have decades of experience helping clients recover damages for the harm they’ve suffered, and we can help you, too. Contact us to schedule your consultation today.

The Basics of Burn Injuries in Georgia

A burn injury involves damage to the epidermis, which is the top skin layer, with more layers being affected as the severity of the burn increases. There are many burn types, including:

• Thermal 
• Chemical 
• Electrical 
• Flash 
• Radiation  

When you get a burn, a medical professional will assign it a degree depending on the damage it has caused. A first-degree burn is a mild burn that only affects the top skin layer and doesn’t cause blistering. First-degree burns typically don’t leave scars, but they can be painful. 

Second-degree burns, also called partial thickness burns, damage the epidermis and the second layer of skin, the dermis. These burns will cause the area to swell and blister, leading to significant pain and, if they are deep enough, resulting in scars. 

Third-degree or full-thickness burns affect the epidermis, dermis, and other tissues, including fat. The burn area can have a charred look as well as a red, leathery appearance. Because the injury is severe enough to damage nerves in the area, the burn itself won’t hurt. The surrounding skin, however, will be extremely painful.

Third-degree burns don’t heal on their own. Medical care often involves the removal of dead tissue and, in extreme cases, amputation. 

We can assist clients with any type of burn injury, from thermal to radiation. Give us a call to find out more about your options.

Burn Injury Complications: Why They’re So Dangerous

Burn injuries can lead to several complications. These complications can slow the healing process and may even put your life at risk.

Infections

Infections are both the most common complications that can arise from a burn injury as well as the ones that lead to the highest number of deaths in people who live through a severe and extensive burn. Between 42% and 65% of burn victim deaths occur because of bacterial infections. 

Hypothermia

Third-degree burns can result in extremely low body temperature. This happens because the layers of fat under your skin and your skin itself help to regulate your body temperature. 

Acute Compartment Syndrome

Acute compartment syndrome refers to the buildup of pressure that can occur if you experience internal bleeding or swelling as a result of the burn. This pressure buildup reduces blood flow to the muscles and nerves. 

Hypovolemia

Hypovolemia is the severe loss of fluids that follows when skin and tissues are burned off. Blood pressure drops, potentially leading to shock. 

Amputation

If an appendage or limb is too damaged to save, an amputation may be the only option. Infections that lead to gangrene also require the removal of the affected area. 

Scarring

Burns can leave serious scarring, including keloid scars. These scars are ridged areas on the skin that occur if there’s lots of scar tissue. They are very difficult to treat and require extensive reconstructive surgery. 

If you experienced a complication due to your burn injury, our team can carefully investigate its potential impact on your injury claim.

Most Common Causes of Gainesville Burn Injuries

Though burn injuries can occur as a result of many accident types, some causes are more common in Hall County. 

Defective Products

One of the most common causes of burns in Georgia is defective products, including home appliances. Faulty wiring or appliances that overheat can all result in injuries. Home boilers can also malfunction and result in scalding burns. 

On the other hand, cleaning products that don’t have appropriate warnings on them can cause chemical burns. If the label doesn’t provide full information, you may not be aware that you can’t mix them with other products or that you can’t get them on your skin.

Traffic Accidents

Being in a collision can mean all manner of damage occurring to vehicles that are full of highly flammable liquids. If the fuel line breaks, all it would take is a spark to cause a fire and even an explosion. Metal parts can overheat after a crash as well, so if you come into contact with them, you can suffer thermal burns. 

It’s possible to suffer electrical burns, too, since a collision can result in loose wiring. Various parts, including the battery, can short-circuit. If the battery leaks, you can also suffer chemical burns from the acid. 

Worksite Accidents

Burns are a particular concern for people who work on construction sites, since they come into contact with a lot of heavy machinery that can overheat. Electrical tools can have faulty wiring, and the amount of electrical cables present at any worksite can increase the risk of electrocution injuries. 

No matter the cause of your burn injury, we can evaluate the specific circumstances surrounding your injury to determine who may be liable.

Damages Available After a Burn Injury in Gainesville

If you’ve suffered a burn injury in Gainesville, you can claim compensatory damages. These include both economic and non-economic damages. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate you for financial losses you’ve sustained because of the injury. They cover medical expenses, including hospital stays and rehabilitation sessions. Because severe burn injuries can require numerous surgeries as well as therapies, economic damages cover ongoing and future care.

Burn injuries can prevent you from going to work. This results in missing out on salaries, commissions, and bonuses that you would have received if you hadn’t suffered the injury. Claiming lost wages helps you to recuperate these losses. If the burns are so severe that you can’t return to work, you can also claim loss of earning potential. 

In instances when burn injuries lead to a loved one’s death, economic damages can cover funerary expenses. 

Non-Economic Damages

Burns may also cause losses that aren’t financial in nature. Non-economic damages compensate you for these losses. We can claim pain and suffering on your behalf, which addresses the emotional and physical distress you experienced.

If a loved one dies from the injuries, you can claim loss of consortium. This compensates you for the loss of support and companionship you’ve suffered. 

Because there’s no tangible monetary value to non-economic losses, the amount of non-economic damages you receive will take into account the financial damages you’re entitled to, as well as how the injuries affect your life. 

Our seasoned team will seek the maximum compensation available in your case.

Contact Our Gainesville Burn Injury Attorneys Today

If you suffered a burn injury due to another person’s negligent or wrongful conduct, you may be entitled to compensation. To give yourself the best chance of succeeding in your claim, turn to our experienced team of burn injury lawyers.At Kaufman Injury Law, we have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for our clients. We’ll investigate your claim and aggressively negotiate with insurance companies so that you can get the compensation you deserve. Contact our Gainesville burn injury lawyers to learn more about filing a claim today.