Without the help of an expert injury lawyer, the pain and suffering sustained with burn injuries can lead to more pain beyond skin deep.
This particular type of injury can potentially require multiple surgeries, skin grafts and even lead to permanent scarring.
Imagine your entire body on fire or severely blistered. There’s no comparison to any other situation. Skin removal is also inconvenient and painful, but on occasion, it can be a better option than the alternative. Finding yourself suffering from the effects of a burn injury, the last thing on your mind should be the legal aspects. Allow your attention to remain on recovery and obtain an experienced personal injury lawyer in Edmonton to at least absolve you of that unnecessary worry.
Suppose you or one of your family members suffered severely due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another party. In that case, hiring a burn injury lawyer may help them recover damages that make their lives easier during this difficult time.
Here is what you need to consider:
- Category and kind of burn injuries
- Types of compensation
- Types of Burn Injury Lawsuits
- What to look for in a personal injury lawyer
Categories of Burn Injuries
Never assume that your damages are minor. There are many different levels of damage to your skin, so you need to approach the situation correctly to prevent severe problems later. Immediate medical attention is critical after the incident because the severity may increase over time if not treated properly.
The classification of burn injuries is divided into three primary categories: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. Some may also fall under fourth-degree or unclassified depending on their severity. These categories refer to how deep the damage penetrates below the skin’s surface, and each one has unique implications for treatment purposes.
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First Degree
The least severe category only affects the top layer of your skin – the epidermis and can cause redness, pain, swelling, and discomfort. Since the tissue damage isn’t too severe, you’ll usually heal thoroughly with proper treatment methods.
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Second Degree
The second most severe category affects both your epidermis and dermis or outer layer of skin—second-degree results in white or blackened blistering that is very painful to the touch. Treatment should happen immediately because these categories have a high risk for scarring and permanent disability associated with them.
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Third Degree
The most severe category penetrates all layers of skin down to your subcutaneous tissues. There may not be any color change detectable on the skin’s surface until after it heals. But upon inspection by your doctor, they may be able to spot whiteness or blackened areas of dead tissue. This type is the most dangerous because it can lead to shock, infections, and permanent disfigurement or disability.
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Fourth Degree
Also; called full-thickness because they extend down to your muscle tissues that can harm both internal and external body systems, severe consequences if not treated immediately. With treatment methods available today, the chances are good that you’ll heal completely no matter how intense the damages were initially.
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Unclassified
Sometimes, you may receive a medical diagnosis other than first-, second-, or third-degree based on symptoms alone. You may have damage to underlying tissues, but medical professionals can’t tell for sure. Therefore, this is quite typical because there’s been a delay in receiving treatment, or they don’t have the diagnostic technology to make a proper judgment yet.
The effects of this category will be similar to those mentioned above – depending on severity – and you should seek medical attention immediately if possible.
Types of Burn Injury
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Chemical
Exposure to severe chemicals penetrates the skin and causes severe tissue damage. Including solid acids (hydrochloric acid) or bases (sodium burn), did you know there are more than 80 different kinds of chemical injuries that you might experience? Treatment depends on the chemical you were exposed to, whether it’s an industrial incident at work or if you came into contact with a corrosive liquid.
There’s a high risk of scarring and disfigurement, significantly affecting the face and hands with this type. After exposure, seek immediate medical attention.
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Electrical
Electric currents passing through the body can cause deep internal searing, resulting in severe damage to your body. A high-voltage electrical shock can also affect the muscles and central nervous system, leading to further complications after treatment for the initial damage. Electrical injuries compensation often includes claims for both harm and disfigurement.
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Flash
Exposure to a hot surface, such as flames, can cause this category that damages the outer layer of skin. They may go unnoticed at first because, when blisters form, they resemble sunburns. Treatment includes removing singed clothing and covering the wound with sterile bandages. There’s also potential for scarring when this progresses to severe.
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Smoke Inhalation
The inhalation of smoke is a form of suffocation when you can’t breathe in the fresh air. Smoke inhalation affliction is sometimes called “burns by asphyxiation.” They can be life-threatening without immediate medical attention because soot, chemicals, toxins, carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide, and other smoke particles enter your lungs after you try to breathe.
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Thermal
Temps too high or too low can result in this kind of injury, called “scalds” from hot liquids or steam, whereas extreme cold can lead to frostbite. Treatment involves surgery for 3rd-degree or extensive 2nd-degree burns. The severity of your lesions may require first aid or help from a doctor.
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Flame Burns
The heat from an object set on fire comes in direct contact with your skin and singes through layers of tissue in one spot. These can be excruciating and may require grafts to treat disfigurement or other potentially life-threatening conditions.
Type of Compensation Can You Seek?
Seeking damages is different from other claims for personal injury. There are few compensatory damages available—most factors involved in determining the amount you should receive depend on your case and provincial laws.
However, it’s usually possible to claim compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, loss of consortium, disfigurement, scarring, permanent disability, and mental anguish. Let’s discuss some of these potential damages in more detail.
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Medical Expenses
It is possible to receive compensation for medical expenses resulting from your injuries, including plastic surgery procedures. You may not be able to include all costs into the settlement because most insurers will try to limit expenses by saying that it isn’t necessary or is unreasonable at the time.
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Lost Wages
If you missed work due to wounds from this kind of incident, you could claim lost wages as part of their settlement. Lost wages might include short-term disability payments if your hurts prevent you from working temporarily or long-term disability pay if it results in permanent physical disability.
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Pain and Suffering
Some refer to pain and suffering as “compensatory damages,” payment depending on the severity of your wounds. It depends upon how much physical pain and mental anguish you experienced, which can be challenging to estimate during negotiations.
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Disfigurement
The extent of your scarring or other disfigurements can also affect how much compensation you will receive.
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Mental Anguish
It’s possible to receive compensation for mental anguish caused by your injuries. The amount you receive will depend on the severity of your sears, how much pain you experienced, and other factors involved in determining a settlement.
Types of Burn Injury Lawsuits
There are three main types of these lawsuits you might file following an accident. Remember that these claims tend to be complicated, so it’s best to hire legal representation immediately after your accident.
- Negligence Claims: You can file an action for negligence if another party was negligent or reckless and their actions caused you damages.
- Product Liability Claims: These lawsuits accuse a company or business of selling faulty products that lead to your damages. In a product liability case, your focus is on the product’s design, manufacturing, and marketing.
- Wrongful Death Claims: Victims can file wrongful death claims against another party if their actions were negligent or reckless and caused someone else to die in a car accident or by other means.
Qualities of your Legal Partner
However, finding a legal expert that specializes in this kind of incident can be challenging and overwhelming. This ultimate guide will help you hire injury lawyers with the knowledge and skills to pursue your accident claim.
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Experience
Does this legal eagle have a track record of success in the area in which you require assistance? Maybe they have a lot of expertise with personal injury cases, but does it mean they’ve dealt with this particular case specifically? Even if they have never worked on an issue identical to yours, they may be worth hiring to assist you in moving forward.
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Costs
How much does it cost to retain their services? If you have sustained damages due to this particular incident, you might not be able to afford expensive legal counsel. Make it a point to discuss how much their services will cost early on.
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References & Reviews
References and reviews from previous clients ensure you of the capabilities of the legal counsel.
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Area of Expertise
Will your attorney be able to argue your case in court? Although they may specialize in personal injury, you should verify that they have experience with damages such as this kind if that’s what happened to you.
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Communication Skills
How well do they communicate with clients? You would want someone who will return your phone calls and emails promptly. Make sure to ask about the counsel’s communication style during initial consultations so you can make an informed decision.
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Aftermath if the Incident
If you have lost a loved one due to wounds relating to scalding or searing, then it might be wise to hire a legal representative for wrongful death. Harm due to fire alone isn’t enough reason for a family member to pursue legal action. It may not be worth it financially without additional damages because these typically result in significant settlements.
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Local vs. Out-of-Province
Some people may prefer counselor-at-law that are local to their area or someone outside of their province. If this is an option, they should explain both situations’ pros and cons during initial consultations.
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Proximity to Defendant & Court Location
It might be beneficial if the one who will represent you could drive to attend the courthouse in person instead of sitting through court hearings over the phone. Court location will be a minor detail to consider, but you’ll want to choose someone that can attend court proceedings if necessary.
Important Pointers
Be mindful when hiring for a burn accident lawyer. You’ll want to look at their history of cases and reviews from clients. Take your time searching for a legal representative because this is a huge decision that can significantly impact your case.
The correct representation will help you move forward with a claim, so make sure to hire the best possible legal representative you can find.
Also, don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. Hire someone you think will be most effective for your case, not always someone friends or family personally recommend.
Bottom Line
Finding a reputable burn injury law firm should not be a difficult task. You must know your rights and what the law states; every person has the right to be compensated for their injuries if found to be caused by another party’s actions. The difficulty arises in locating and retaining a lawyer who is willing to assist you in your efforts.
However, by reading this article, you have taken the first step in acquiring the knowledge necessary to find an Edmonton lawyer appropriate for your case. Remember that you have a right to compensation for your injuries; contact an injury lawyer to determine if you are eligible today.
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