Burn injuries bring extreme pain and leave lasting scars, but they are more than the physical damage they bring. They most often also cause an emotional toll. The sudden changes in your life caused by burns can be overwhelming, but moving forward is possible. Understanding how burn injuries happen is the first step in finding your footing again.
Common causes of burn injuries
Burn injuries are common and stem from various sources, which include:
- Defective products: Exploding batteries, faulty kitchen appliances and poor electrical wiring in personal care items
- Auto accidents: Fuel fed fires, road rash (friction burns), chemical exposure, and contact with open flames caused by a collision
- Work incidents: Exposure to boiling liquids, hot surfaces, and corrosive chemicals
- Property negligence: Exposed electrical wiring, cigarettes, unattended candles, and blocked ventilation, and gas leaks, among other things.
These hazards can cause burns with varying degrees. While minor burns affect only the outermost layer of the skin, some can severely penetrate the skin’s surface. Fourth-degree burns, for example, are catastrophic injuries that involve damage to skin, muscles, tendons and bones.
Damage and loss associated with burns
Burn injuries can be difficult to treat, especially when the degree of severity is high. Scarring is common, and at its worst this kind of injury can result in skin grafting, amputation, loss of mobility, permanent disfigurement, and scar revision requirements, significantly impacting your quality of life and employment.
Additionally, the financial weight of a severe burn is staggering. Specialized treatment in a burn unit is expensive, and a full recovery often requires years of physical therapy and reconstructive surgery. These costs, combined with lost wages, can drain a family’s savings in weeks.
Seeking compensation from the at-fault party
You may file a personal injury claim if a negligent party caused your burns. However, this involves complex medical evidence and intimidating tactics from insurers. Whether the burn was caused due to the negligence of an individual, landlord, public or private organization, or employer, seeking legal guidance can help you navigate Georgia’s injury laws, including strictly adhering to the two-year statute of limitations.
Regardless of the exact circumstances, it’s very important to seek legal help after a burn injury to ensure you can work towards becoming as whole as possible physically, mentally, and financially.