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Burn injuries often have serious consequences. If you have been burned as a result of a structural fire, electrical fire, or motor vehicle accident, you may feel overwhelmed by the medical and legal processes which follow. While medical bills accumulate, you could be unable to return to work right away. Fortunately, you may be able to obtain monetary reimbursement for injuries sustained in accidents caused by another party’s negligence.
A dedicated catastrophic injury attorney from the Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm could guide you through litigation if you are suffering from scarring or disfigurement from your burns. Let a skilled Lancaster burn injury lawyer help you pursue compensation from responsible parties for negligently causing your damages.
Examples of Severe Burns
According to the American Burn Association, about 500,000 Americans sustain burns which require medical attention each year. Some burn injuries are so extreme that they require hospitalization or the services of a burn care center.
Medical professionals generally categorize burns by varying degrees so they can administer the proper burn care procedures to respective injuries. A first-degree burn only affects the surface of the skin. However, a second-degree burn may damage several layers of the epidermis.
Third-degree burns can be catastrophic and destroy deeper tissues of the flesh, which may require skin grafts to repair. An experienced Lancaster burn injury attorney could be a strong advocate in a claim for damages brought against responsible parties.
Initiating Litigation in Lancaster
To be successful in a personal injury lawsuit in Lancaster, a plaintiff would need to prove that their injuries were sustained in an accident which was caused by the opposing party’s negligence. However, an at-fault party may allege that an injured claimant bears some responsibility for their damages. A plaintiff may be awarded compensation as long as their shared liability for their own injuries does not exceed 50 percent. However, their compensatory award would be reduced in proportion to their assigned percentage of fault. For example, an injured claimant who is found to be 30 percent responsible for their own damages may only collect 70 percent of the available compensation.
Moreover, most claims for burn injuries have a statute of limitations of 36 months from the day of the accident, according to South Carolina Code of Laws §15-3-530. An injured claimant must file a suit within this time period in order to be awarded damages for their losses. A knowledgeable burn injury lawyer in Lancaster could help you initiate litigation before this legal deadline and work to prove that another person or entity is responsible for causing the accident which led to your damages.
Potential Settlement Options
Some defendants in Lancaster heat damage lawsuits may be reluctant to go before the court for fear of having to pay a large amount of damages to an injured plaintiff. If a party elects to settle a case, the amount awarded may become subject to the Structured Settlement Protection Act.
This statute recommends that claimants seek the advice of a professional legal advocate. A Lancaster lawyer who focuses on burn injury cases could help a plaintiff understand the benefits and disadvantages of settling their case.
Contact a Lancaster Burn Injury Attorney Today
If you have been seriously burned in Lancaster, it may be a prudent decision to contact local legal counsel. A diligent Lancaster burn injury lawyer would have the experience necessary for helping you obtain compensation for your burn losses. Our team of qualified attorneys may be able to help you with your case, so call today to get in touch with a legal representative from the Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm.