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Few people can imagine the impact of serious burn injuries. The most serious cases are extraordinarily painful, require long-periods of rehabilitation, and may cause a host of complications.
If you were badly burned, you may be able to recover compensation from the parties responsible for your accident. Whether your burns came from a car accident, defective product, or chemical incident in the workplace, a skilled legal team may be able to help. To discuss your case, reach out to a York County burn injury lawyer.
Assessing Severe Burns After an Accident
Medically speaking, there are four distinct classifications of burns. Each level grows in intensity, with possible damages increasing at each step.
First-degree burns are extremely common. Often, they result in mild red scarring of the skin tissue. One cause of first-degree burns can be overexposure to sunlight. Other times, light bulbs and hotplates are the culprits.
Second-degree burns can result in scarring but will usually heal on their own. Rarely, these burns require extensive medical care or follow-up action.
Third-degree and fourth-degree burns, on the other hand, are traumatic injuries that might require hospitalization and specialized burn care. Because third-degree burns can cause damage to the nerves, some victims may not fully realize the severity of their injuries.
Fourth-degree burns can be life-threatening. Not only do these injuries destroy layers of skin and flesh, but they can also damage ligaments, muscles, and even bones. When third-degree and fourth-degree burns occur, individuals might need to seek legal support from burn injury attorneys in York County.
Establishing Fault in Burn Cases
Too often, individuals who sustain major burns in York County fail to file formal civil suits in court. A major reason for this is misconceptions about shared fault.
In South Carolina, individuals who were partially responsible for the events leading up to their burn injury are still allowed to pursue damages. Per South Carolina Code §15-38-15, “modified comparative negligence” applies to all burn incidents.
Essentially, modified comparative negligence is the idea that defendants who are found to be partially responsible for the burn may still continue with a personal injury action. In South Carolina, they must be 50 percent responsible or less.
A burn injury attorney in York County may be able to refute arguments of comparative negligence in order to maximize the victim’s compensation award.
Statute of Limitations
In York County burn cases, individuals have a set amount of time to file a formal lawsuit. This is referred to as the “statute of limitations” in the case.
For individuals seeking damages due to personal injury or property loss, the statute of limitations is three years. Per S. C. C. §15-3-530, legal action must begin within this period, which begins on the date of the burn. A York County burn injury attorney could help claimants file their case in a timely manner.
How a York County Burn Injury Attorney Could Help
If you sustained severe burns, especially third-degree or fourth-degree burns, you might have suffered loss of employment, loss of enjoyment of life, or loss of mobility. These factors will be considered by a jury during a lawsuit, should you choose to pursue your damages in court.
During the process, you might need the help of a legal advocate to navigate the court system. A York County burn injury lawyer from Schiller & Hamilton could help you pursue fair compensation for your losses. Call today to discuss your case.