Mercer County Burn Injury Lawyer
Burns are among the most serious injuries a person can sustain. Severe burns can be life-threatening, causing permanent scarring, significant pain, and debilitating financial losses.
If you or a family member has suffered heat-related injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you could benefit from working with a Mercer County burn injury lawyer. Our compassionate catastrophic injury attorneys are dedicated to helping people who suffer from burns recover fair compensation for their damages.
Common Types of Burn Injuries
Burns can cause a wide range of damage, from short-term pain and redness, to life-threatening burns penetrating skin, fat, and muscle. Burns are classified in two different ways: by their severity and how they were caused.
First-degree burns are the least extensive and generally do not cause scarring. Second-degree burns can cause blistering and typically require medical care. The most serious burns are categorized as third-degree and can damage skin, tissues, and muscles. While any burn has the potential to be life-threatening due to infection, third-degree burns are most commonly associated with permanent disfigurement and potential death. There are four burn categories based on the cause of injury. These include:
- Radiation burns, such as from excessive sunlight or X-rays
- Electrical burns from energy sources like a power line
- Chemical burns from substances that are acidic enough to damage the skin
- Thermal burns from hot objects like a stove or steam
Understanding the various burn categories can help an injured person better anticipate the care they will need during the healing process. A Mercer County burn attorney could work to ensure that the injured party receives the compensation they need to support them through every stage of their recovery.
Managing a Burn Injury Lawsuit
A capable attorney understands the physical and emotional damage that occurs when someone endures a burn injury. Whether the burn injury was sustained at the workplace, in a vehicle collision, or because of a defective product, a capable lawyer could pursue compensation for all the family’s losses. Damages that a burn injury lawyer in a Mercer County could recover include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Loss of the injured party’s love and companionship, also known as loss of consortium
A lawyer relies on a network of highly respected experts in technical fields such as fire safety, investigation, forensic engineering, and fire reconstruction. Trained attorneys are also familiar with the medical professionals needed to evaluate and treat the long-term consequences of burn injuries, including plastic surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and life care planners. The goal of any respected burn injury attorney is to recover sufficient compensation for the plaintiff to live the most fulfilling life possible.
When to File a Burn Injury Claim in Mercer County
State law generally requires an injured party to file a lawsuit within two years of the accident. However, this timeline can be extended or reduced under certain circumstances. A seasoned burn injury lawyer could explain this statute of limitations and how it impacts the investigation.
If a person fatally succumbs to their burn injuries, their family may have a separate wrongful death claim. The family members can pursue damages for their lost loved one’s pain and suffering, as well as their own compensation for the loss of the deceased’s financial support. A wrongful death claim must also generally be filed within the two-year timeframe.
Learn More from a Mercer County Burn Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one have been burned in an accident, chemical fire, or by some other means, you need to focus on healing, not on your medical bills or missed time from work. A Mercer County burn injury lawyer has the skills and experience necessary to obtain the compensation you need to heal from your injuries. Call a member of our caring legal team today to discuss how we could help you get on the road to recovery.
