Living with burn injuries can be an incredibly challenging and life-altering experience. Burn survivors frequently encounter a lengthy and challenging path to recovery, both physically and emotionally. The impact of burn injuries can extend far beyond the initial trauma, affecting nearly every aspect of a person’s life, including your financial situation.
You may be ready to move on with your life after an accident that resulted in burn injuries, but extensive medical bills and missing time from work can make that difficult. If you’re struggling to keep up with bills, missing work, and wondering what to do next, contact Philadelphia Injury Lawyers P.C. today or fill out our online contact form.
While the road to recovery may be long and difficult, many burn survivors demonstrate incredible strength and resilience in the face of their challenges. With the right support and resources, they can learn to adapt to their new reality and rediscover purpose and significance in their lives. Let us provide the support you need during this difficult chapter in your life.
The Impact of Burn Injuries on Victims of Accidents in Philadelphia
As Philadelphia personal injury lawyers, we understand the impact burn injuries can have on accident survivors and their families. These claims may involve higher settlements or verdicts due to the severity of the injuries and the lifelong medical and caretaking needs of the victims. Here are some of the ways thermal injuries can disrupt the lives of the victims and their loved ones:
Physical Challenges
Burn injuries can cause severe pain, scarring, and disfigurement. Depending on the extent and location of the burns, survivors may experience limited mobility, reduced sensation, and difficulty with daily tasks. They may need extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, skin grafts, and physical therapy.
Emotional Trauma
Burn survivors may experience fear, anger, sadness, and grief. They may struggle with anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to their traumatic experience. The changes in their appearance and physical abilities can also impact their self-esteem and body image, resulting in feelings of self-consciousness and social isolation.
Impact On Daily Life
Burn injury victims may need to take significant time off work or school, potentially resulting in financial strain and setbacks in one’s career. They may need to modify their living space to accommodate their new physical needs. Burn survivors may also face challenges in their personal relationships, as their injuries can place a strain on their loved ones.
Ongoing Medical Needs
Burn survivors often require ongoing medical care long after their initial treatment. They may need regular check-ups with burn specialists, plastic surgeons, and physical therapists. They may also need to undergo additional surgeries or treatments to improve their function and appearance. The cost of this ongoing care can be substantial.
Occupational therapy and vocational rehabilitation can help burn survivors adapt to their new physical limitations and rebuild their lives. Let us fight to get you the full value of your compensation so you can cover the costs of these treatments.
What Is the Average Payout for a Burn Injury Claim?
The average payout for burn injuries can vary significantly depending on the severity of the burns, the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the jurisdiction in which the claim is filed. Burn injury settlements and verdicts can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars.
Several factors can influence the value of a burn injury payout, including:
- Severity of the burns: The degree and extent of the burns (first, second, third, or fourth-degree) and the percentage of the body affected can significantly impact medical needs, loss of wages, and other losses, and thus could affect the payout amount.
- Medical expenses: The expense of medical treatment, including emergency care, surgeries, skin grafts, rehabilitation, and ongoing care, can be substantial and will be considered when determining the payout.
- Lost wages and future earning capacity: If the burn injuries prevent the victim from working temporarily or permanently, the payout may include compensation for lost wages and reduced future earning potential.
- Pain and suffering: The physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by burn injuries can be significant factors in determining the payout amount.
- Scarring and disfigurement: Burn injuries often result in permanent scarring and disfigurement, which can lead to higher payouts due to the long-term physical and psychological impact on the victim.
It is essential to remember that each case is unique, and the actual payout will be contingent upon the specific circumstances of the injury and the legal process. A Philadelphia burn injury attorney can help evaluate your case, assess the potential value of your claim, and advocate for the maximum compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses.
The Statute of Limitations in Philadelphia Burn Injury Claims
There are time limits for filing a burn injury lawsuit in Philadelphia, which is known as the statute of limitations. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the incident that caused your burn injuries to file a claim. However, there are some exceptions, such as cases involving minors or situations where the defendant’s negligence was not immediately apparent.
Consult with a Philadelphia burn injury attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident, motorcycle accident, or any other type of incident that resulted in your burns to ensure that you do not miss the deadline for filing your claim. Once this deadline has passed, burn injury victims may no longer be able to pursue legal action.
Learn more about the deadlines involved in a burn injury claim by contacting Philadelphia Injury Lawyers P.C. to get your free consultation. You can call today or contact us online.
Do I Have a Valid Philadelphia Burn Injury Claim?
To have a valid burn injury claim in Philadelphia, several key elements must be present. A successful burn injury claim typically requires the following:
Negligence or Intentional Harm
You must be able to demonstrate that another party’s negligence or intentional actions caused your injuries. Negligence occurs when someone neglects to exercise reasonable care, leading to harm. Intentional harm refers to situations where someone deliberately causes injury.
Examples of negligence or intentional harm in burn injury cases may include a manufacturer producing a defective product that catches fire or an individual intentionally setting a fire.
Causation
You must be able to establish a connection between the negligent or intentional actions of the other party and your burn injuries. This means showing that your injuries were a direct result of their conduct and would not have occurred otherwise. Causation can be established through evidence which may include eyewitness statements, testimony from expert witnesses, and medical records that document the cause and severity of your injuries.
Damages
You must have suffered damages as a result of your burn injuries. Damages can include any physical, emotional, and financial losses that are related to the accident and your injuries. Documenting your damages through medical bills, employment records, and expert testimony can help strengthen your burn injury claim.
You May Qualify for Compensation for Burn Injuries
If your burn injuries are the result of a preventable accident, they may qualify for compensation under Pennsylvania’s laws. Here are some of the more common types of burn injuries our Pennsylvania burn injury attorneys can represent:
- Burns due to hot liquids or surfaces: Burns can leave permanent scarring on the victim. The extent of pain felt can be severe.
- Chemical burns: One of the worst types of burn injuries is chemical burns. These types of burns usually happen when the skin comes in direct contact with hazardous chemicals like strong acids, and the severity of burns can be serious or life-threatening.
- Electrical burns: Another type of burned wound that could cause damage underneath the outer skin layer is the electrical burn. The victim’s electrical burns could result in damage to the internal organs and tissue and can be fatal.
The reasons for burned injuries vary. Some of these burn injuries occur due to negligence, carelessness, or the fault of another person. When this is the case, the party that caused your burns is legally responsible for your compensation.
Talk to a Burn Injury Lawyer in Philadelphia for Free
Navigating a burn injury claim can be complex. Consulting with a Philadelphia burn injury attorney can help you understand your rights, help you recover the damages you are entitled to, and explore any additional legal options available to you. We have helped many Pennsylvania families in the aftermath of serious accidents, and we can help you.
Reach out to the burn injury team at Philadelphia Injury Lawyers P.C. to learn more about how we can protect your rights in Pennsylvania. You can call us 24/7 or reach out to us through our online contact form.
