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A severe burn injury can leave more than just physical scarring. It can also produce lifelong psychological pain along with expensive medical bills. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half a million people seek medical treatment for a burn injury in the United States each year.
If you or a loved one were severely injured due to the negligent actions of another, a Hammond burn injury lawyer could help your case. Many burn injuries stem from negligent behavior ranging from lax apartment building management to failure to train employees on proper safety procedures. A skilled catastrophic injury attorney who handles burn injury cases may be able to help you pursue compensation.
While many burns are superficial and treatable at home, others can inflict major damage to one’s body and require both hospitalization and long-term care. A seasoned Hammond burn injury attorney should have the resources at their disposal to fully assess the severity of a burn and determine just how it will impact the victim’s quality of life going forward. Generally, there are three classifications of burns, including first, second, and third-degree
This type of burn affects only the outer layer of skin, called the epidermis. A mild sunburn is an example of a burn of first-degree severity. Usually, there is no long-term damage.
Second-degree burns involve damage to both the epidermis and the layer of skin directly underneath, called the dermis. Some second-degree burns can be severe enough to eventually lead to scarring or a lasting change of skin color.
Sometimes called a full-thickness burn, a third-degree burn is one that causes total skin death. Such an injury typically does not hurt as nerve endings have been completely burned away. A third-degree burn can, in some cases, lead to loss of limb, permanent disfigurement, or death.
A fourth-degree burn is characterized by all the symptoms of a third-degree burn but extends further to affect muscle, tendon, and bone. It is the deepest and most severe of all burn classifications and is almost always potentially life-threatening.
Burn injuries are most commonly associated with accidental contact with a flame or fire, although in truth, a burn injury in Hammond, IN can be caused by a wide variety of materials and products including:
As with other types of personal injury, the severity of the injury will most likely be the driving factor behind the monetary value of settlement or verdict. And this is precisely why the services of an experienced Hammond burn injury attorney can be so useful. A diligent burn lawyer could corral the evidence necessary to show that a defendant’s negligent conduct caused a serious burn injury.
If you or a loved one were severely burned due to the negligent actions of another, the reckless party could be held liable for damages. You may be entitled to compensation not just for medical expenses but also lost income, disfigurement, mental anguish, as well as pain and suffering.
Let a skilled attorney handle your case while you focus on your recovery. Reach out to a Hammond burn injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.