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Burn Injury Attorney Missouri
Most people would agree that burns hurt. Despite this, many people are unaware that burns can lead to life-long problems resulting in pain and suffering. In addition to causing deformities that can inhibit long-term employment, they can also result in expensive medical treatment.
One moment in a person’s life can change everything, turning them into a burn victim with a permanent injury. Burns that could have been prevented or that were caused by another party’s negligence or intentional actions can be difficult to cope with. For this reason, victims can seek financial compensation for their losses.
Consulting with a Missouri personal injury lawyer can be the first step if you have been burned and wish to file a burn injury claim. Navigating the complex legal process alone is difficult. Many people find that having a personal injury attorney in their corner provides peace of mind. Counsel from the Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien law firm may be beneficial during this painful and frightening experience.
Types of Burn Injuries
Not all burns are caused by an open flame. In fact, many other substances can cause severe burn injuries. Car accidents, work-related injuries, construction site accidents, explosions, and fires most commonly cause burns. Burns and friction injuries (such as road rash) are also common in motorcycle crashes and bicycle accidents.
Some of the most common burn injuries include the following:
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Chemical burns from hazardous materials
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Electrical burns
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Industrial explosions
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Inhalation burns from smoke or toxic fumes
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Thermal burns from flames or hot liquids
Experienced burn injury attorneys can assess your case, file a personal injury claim for your severe burns, and assist you in recovering compensation if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence.
How Do Burn Injury Cases Work?
Since there are many different ways that burn injuries occur, there are also several methods for handling them.
Your lawyer can help you to develop your personal injury case. They can assist you in doing the following:
- Determining who was at fault.
- Proving Negligence.
- Meeting the Missouri statute of limitations by filing your personal injury claim within the stipulated time frame.
- Preparing for your court case.
In the aftermath of a burn accident, it is imperative that you seek legal assistance to protect your rights and receive compensation. The law firm of Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien can assist you with your burn injury claim and help you get the compensation you deserve. Reach out for a free consultation today.
Severity of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be devastating to those who are directly affected, as well as their families. These impacts can lead to emotional, physical, and financial repercussions that are difficult to resolve.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the severity of the burns determines the length of your recovery period, as well as how the injury is treated. A severe burn injury has significantly more consequences than minor burns do.
Here are the categories of burn injuries and their recommended medical treatments.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns, also called superficial burns, are relatively minor burns that only affect the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis. Although they cause redness, swelling, and pain, they rarely require medical attention.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns damage the epidermis and the underlying layer of skin. They can cause blistering, swelling, and intense pain, occasionally requiring a skin graft in extreme cases.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns destroy all the skin layers and permanently damage hair follicles and nerve endings. Third-degree burns are generally less painful than minor burns because the nerve endings are damaged. However, they require prompt medical attention and often result in surgery.
Fourth-Degree Burns
The most severe burn injuries cause significant destruction. These incidents damage all the skin layers and the underlying muscles, tendons, and bones. Victims may suffer nerve damage and loss of function. These injuries require immediate attention from a medical professional, as they often lead to amputation or death.
If you or a loved one is a burn injury victim, a St. Louis burn injury lawyer from the law firm of Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien, can offer support and advocacy in your time of need. Call us for a free case evaluation.
Burn Injury Case Compensation
Although burn injuries often require extensive and costly medical treatment, many do not seek legal action because they believe their insurance will cover all the expenses. Unfortunately, they often discover this to be incorrect.
Some of the expenses burn victims can expect include, but are not restricted to the following:
- Emergency medical bills
- Past and future medical expenses, including doctor’s visits and medications
- Physical therapy bills
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Lost wages
An experienced burn injury attorney in St. Louis can assist you in determining the appropriate amount of compensation to cover your long-term medical expenses and represent you in the courtroom if necessary.
Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien for Your Personal Injury Claims
If you are the victim of a burn injury, you might be wondering how a truck accident attorney could help. Since many third-degree burns are caused in auto accidents, personal injury lawyers would be able to transfer those strategies to address your particular needs.
You can count on our lawyers to provide the guidance and resources you need to file your burn injury claims, such as a personal injury checklist. We can guide you through each step regardless of whether a lawsuit is necessary or an out-of-court settlement is appropriate.
Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien’s attorneys can help you throughout the entire claims process. Call Buchanan, Williams & O’Brien for a free consultation.
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