Burn Injuries – What You Need to Know

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Burn injuries are some of the most painful types of injuries possible. The American Burn Association reports that approximately 486,000 people each year receive hospital and emergency room treatment for burns. This doesn’t take into account the thousands of burn injuries treated in clinics and private medical offices. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also reports that roughly 14,500 people die annually from either burns or burn-related infections.

The people most vulnerable to burn accidents and injuries include young children and older adults. Part of the reason this is true is that their skin is more delicate and sensitive. Another issue with these groups is that they may have less mobility in a fire situation. The fact is that a burn injury can occur in just about any setting, from a home to a business to a crashed car.

If you or a loved one have suffered from a burn injury, these are not only painful, but they also take a long time to heal. Burns that are severe can require treatment that is incredibly complicated and expensive. When those injuries were caused by the carelessness or negligence of another party, you have the right to make a claim for damages. Here are several things that you need to know about burn injuries and filing a burn injury claim.

Common Types of Burn Injuries

A majority of burn injuries are the result of contact with hot steam or flames, but some may also be caused by electricity, extreme cold, harsh chemicals, sunlight and other radiation, and friction. Depending on the extent of the exposure, burns are generally classified as first, second, or third-degree burns.

  • First-degree burns affect just the skin’s top layer, or the epidermis, with little to no further damage.
  • Second-degree burns will affect the entire epidermis as well as deeper layers. There will be significant pain as well as blistering and possible nerve damage. Infection and shock are possibilities with these burns.
  • Third-degree burns are the most serious type of burn that destroys the skin’s layers as well as underlying tissue, muscle, tendons, and ligaments. Because there is nerve damage, there may not be as much pain associated with these burns, but long-term implications will include significant scarring and surgery for skin grafts.

The treatment necessary for burn injuries depends on the nature and location of the injury. For example, a severe burn on a limb could require amputation while other burns may call for extensive plastic or cosmetic surgery.

Who Can File a Burn Injury Claim?

Burn injuries have far-reaching consequences. Not only can the medical care be costly, but a burn victim could be prevented from returning to work and suffer from severe emotional trauma as well. If your injuries were caused by the negligence of another party, you have the right to file a claim for fair and just compensation. Your Columbia, South Carolina burn injury attorney will evaluate your case and speak to you about your legal options.

Typical Sites of Burn Injuries

Where your accident and burn injury took place could determine the direction of your case. For example, many serious burn incidents happen on the job, where there might be explosions, fires, and risk of electrocution. Your right to recovery in these cases would fall under your employer’s workplace accident coverage, and a qualified South Carolina worker’s compensation attorney can help ensure your access to benefits.

Other common sites of burn injuries include public spaces, schools and nurseries, and road accidents. A restaurant could be held liable for spilling a hot beverage on a patron, or a school that doesn’t supervise children closely enough could create unnecessary hazards. Car accidents not only cause serious damage and injuries, but they can also result in fires that leave victims with additional damages.

Protecting Your Rights in a Burn Injury Case

If you or someone you love has suffered a burn injury that was caused by the careless acts or negligent behavior of a third party, you may be able to file a burn injury claim for damages. It’s vital that you not only seek medical attention immediately after the accident but that you also consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can investigate your case and advise you of your options. Contact our Columbia, South Carolina office now at (803) 788-4370 or online to schedule a free consultation.

The Role of an Expert in an Injury Case

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An expert witness can play a key role in proving liability and damages in a personal injury case. Experts are people who possess special knowledge, experience, skills, or training that extends beyond that of the general population. When you’ve been injured in an accident, have lost a loved one to wrongful death, or are claiming nursing home abuse, getting the parties responsible for your damages to pay isn’t always a simple matter.

Filing any type of personal injury claim requires that there be an allegation of liability. In essence, who is at fault for your injuries? You not only have to prove negligence but also that those actions, or the failure to act, was the cause of your injuries. In both cases, the testimony of expert witnesses can be used to prove liability as well as testify about the severity of the injury and its far-reaching consequences.

Who Can Qualify as an Expert Witness?

There are several types of witnesses in an injury case. An eyewitness is someone who was present at the time of the accident and has direct knowledge of the events.  An “expert” witness wasn’t an accident witness, but instead is someone who might be hired by your attorney to assist in proving your case.

Experts by their nature are generally professionals who have knowledge, skills, or training that qualifies them to provide testimony or give a reliable opinion on certain issues. For example, a physician may be asked to testify about the severity of your injuries in an auto accident or premises liability case.

The Role of an Expert in an Injury Case

Just because an expert is hired for your injury case, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you will see them sitting before a jury giving sworn testimony. These are qualified individuals who will use their specialized knowledge to help prove different elements of your case. The two ways that you might see these experts used are:

  • Consulting Experts. A consulting expert provides support services to your attorney’s legal team. They might assist through reviewing documents, offering advice, and helping with strategy related to financial, medical, and other technical issues.
  • Testifying Experts. A testifying expert may perform some of the above tasks, but they will also be called by your attorney as a witness in your case. Their sworn testimony could help prove fault, explain complicated terms, or make a case for certain damages.

Different Types of Expert Witnesses

Depending on the details of your accident and what areas may be disputed, different types of experts may be used in an injury case. Some of those include:

  • Medical Professionals. Medical professionals such as physicians, medical examiners, and rehabilitation specialists are often called as expert witnesses to provide testimony about the seriousness of an injury, its cause, and the need for future care.
  • Accident Reconstruction Specialists. An accident reconstruction specialist might be hired to help prove negligence in a variety of personal injury cases. When there is an auto or truck accident case, these specialists can testify about vehicle safety, speed, right-of-way, and other errors that could have caused the accident and injuries.
  • Financial Specialists. If your damages include lost income and permanent impairment, a financial expert could be called to help prove the severity of your financial losses.
  • Maintenance Specialists. When a mechanical failure either caused or contributed to an accident, a maintenance specialist can provide valuable testimony that describes vehicle upkeep and the ways that a failure to maintain a vehicle created a hazard.
  • Phone Records Specialist. Because so many auto accidents now involve distracted driving, your attorney may hire a phone records specialist to prove that the other driver was texting or using their cell phone when the accident took place.
  • Manufacturing experts with extensive knowledge in defective products and the variety of ways a defective product can end up on store shelves
  • Mental health practitioners who understand how a personal injury can negatively impact an individual’s mental health and limit their productivity

Expert witnesses can often make a significant difference in an injury case, particularly if there is a question of fault or the seriousness of damages. The experienced and knowledgeable personal injury attorneys at Peake & Fowler often use the services of these valuable experts to help prove our client’s case. If you or a loved one have suffered a personal injury, contact our Columbia, South Carolina office today at (803) 788-4370 or online for a free consultation to discuss your case.