Burn injuries can leave lasting and, sometimes, permanent effects. Due to the severity of these injuries, the associated medical costs to provide adequate treatment are often expensive. If your injuries resulted from another party’s negligence or recklessness, you may have grounds to file a civil claim for compensation.
In many cases, it may be necessary to obtain representation from a Memphis burn injury lawyer to successfully recover damages. An experienced catastrophic injury attorney with the Reaves Law Firm could provide thorough legal advice and strategy to recover on your behalf.
Severe burns can cause damage to skin and body tissue. It is common for burn injuries to result in scarring, blisters, and inflammation.
The severity of a burn injury is graded and sorted into three distinct classes known as “degrees.” Superficial burns that primarily only affect the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis, are first-degree burns. First-degree burns typically do not require any serious medical attention and can often heal sufficiently on their own.
However, second and third-degree burns generally require medical attention due to their damage to deeper layers of skin. Third-degree burns, notably, can cause damage to muscle tissue and bones.
Burn injuries can result from fire, electricity, radiation, and chemicals. Exposure to any of these burning hazards can directly result from the negligence or recklessness of another party.
For example, home and apartment fires are some of the most common burn injury cases. Buildings must meet certain specifications, including safe materials and proper wiring. Additionally, under Tennessee Code Annotated 66-28-304, landlords must maintain safe environments and adhere to housing codes by providing fire escapes, properly maintained fire extinguishers, and functioning smoke detectors.
Furthermore, employers must maintain safe working conditions for their employees by providing proper equipment and clear exits in case of fires, electrical issues, or chemical spills. If an employer or landlord fails to adhere to the laws and safety codes designed to protect their tenants or employees, they can be held liable for any resulting injuries. However, holding a negligent party liable for a burn injury can be difficult without the help of a knowledgeable attorney in Memphis.
In the event someone gets burned due to the recklessness of another person, they may be facing substantial medical treatment, including medication, skin grafts, removal of burned sections, and potentially therapy and counseling to overcome the associated trauma.
Burned parties may lose income from being unable to work during their recovery process or may be physically unable to continue their previous work due to partial or total disability. Furthermore, injuries may severely impact their future earning capacity.
An injured party may seek compensation for any of the above-referenced expenses, and income lost or potentially lost due to their burns. Additionally, the suffering and pain experienced by the burned party can also be included in a personal injury claim. However, calculating damages that have no fixed dollar amount may be difficult to ascertain and negotiate without guidance from a Memphis attorney familiar with burn injury claims.
After getting severely burned, you may find yourself with a mountain of medical debt and difficulty obtaining compensation from the responsible parties. Contacting a Memphis burn injury lawyer could improve the likelihood of a successful personal injury claim.
Our team at the Reaves Law Firm could argue and negotiate on your behalf using our knowledge of the law and experience with these types of claims. Contact us today to arrange a consultation to discuss your case.
