Burn Injury Lawyer in Montgomery, AL

Most people have experienced a minor burn injury at some point in their life–accidentally touching a hot curling iron, making contact with a stove, or even getting a really bad sunburn is something that most people are familiar with. While most burn injuries are minor and heal entirely with time and at-home care, some burn injuries are much more severe and can be classified as catastrophic injuries. 

If you or a loved one has suffered a severe burn injury in Montgomery, Alabama, our experienced attorney at the office of Frank Wilson can help. Please call our lawyer directly today for a free consultation and an overview of your legal options.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Causes of burns are classified into five different categories: thermal burns, electrical burns, radiation burns, chemical burns, and friction burns.

Thermal burns are the type of burn injury with which most people are most familiar–these are burns caused by heat. Scalding steam or liquid, direct fire, and hot metals are all common sources of thermal burns.

Some types of radiation burns are also common, such as the type of radiation burn that results from prolonged exposure to the sun, e.g. a sunburn. Radiation burns can also be a result of exposure to radiation in a medical setting, such as radiation as a cancer treatment, or radiation exposure from a nuclear power plant.

Electrical burns are most common in the workplace among electricians and construction workers and refer to burns that are a result of direct contact with electricity. Electrical burns can be fatal.

Chemical burns are sustained when a person makes direct contact with a chemical that is so harsh that it burns the skin, such as certain solvents, detergents, and acids.

Finally, friction burns are burns that are caused by heat that’s generated from friction, such as a rope burn or a road rash.

The above types of burns can happen at home, in the workplace, or while enjoying public or private property. They might be the result of a defective product that catches fire unexpectedly, building code failures, a landlord’s negligence in failing to replace smoke alarms, and much more. If you have suffered a burn injury caused by the negligence of another party, we can help you to recover compensation for your harm.

Degrees of Burn Injuries

Burns are not only classified by type, but also degree, or severity. While there are traditionally three degrees of burn injuries recognized by medical professionals, today, some experts also acknowledge a fourth degree of burn injury.

• First-degree burns. The least severe degree of burn injury is a first-degree burn. A first-degree burn injury is superficial, impacting only the outermost layer of the skin. These types of burns may be painful, but do not require any medical treatment–just at-home care. They will usually heal entirely without any scarring.
• Second-degree burns. Second-degree burns are more serious. A second-degree burn causes damage to both the first layer of skin (epidermis) and the second layer of skin (dermis). While long-term complications from a second-degree burn are unlikely, these types of burns often do require medical care.
• Third-degree burns. Third-degree burns are incredibly serious and can even be fatal in some cases. A third-degree burn injury burns all of the skin tissues, as well as the layers of fat under the skin. These types of burns are much more serious, but often less painful because the nerve endings are destroyed.
• Fourth-degree burns. As mentioned, some experts recognize fourth-degree burn injuries as well. A fourth-degree burn extends even deeper, past the layer of fat and into the muscle and bone in some cases.

Damages from a Severe Burn

Severe burn injuries can cause long-term or permanent scarring and disfigurement, as well as disability. A person who is a victim of a severe burn injury may experience high levels of pain and suffering from the burn, as well as from treatment for the burn (treating burn injuries can be excruciatingly painful). There is often mental anguish and psychological injury associated with a burn injury as well in the form of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, a diminished quality of life, grief, etc.

In addition to the noneconomic damages mentioned above, a burn injury is expensive. Medical care for a burn injury can total hundreds of thousands of dollars, and a person may require ongoing care, physical therapy, and other treatment for years or life. 

To add to the medical costs, severe burn injuries are often temporarily–if not permanently–disabling and will prevent an individual from working and earning an income. Lost wages combined with a loss of earning capacity can be a huge economic hit to a person who is already suffering financially, physically, and emotionally.

Frank Wilson, Attorney at Law, will work with medical and financial experts to determine the value of your case and the amount of loss you have suffered in both economic and

noneconomic damages. Our attorney will aggressively advocate on your behalf to get you every cent that you deserve.

Liability for a Burn Injury

In most cases, liability for a burn injury is based on negligence. For example, if a property owner failed to maintain working smoke detectors, failed to repair a condition that could lead to fire (such as faulty electrical wires), or failed to meet fire exit requirements, their negligence could result in the property owner being held liable for your harm. Similarly, if a burn injury was caused as a result of a product defect, the product manufacturer could be held liable. 

We will open a thorough investigation into your case to determine how the burn injury occurred, how it could have been prevented, and who should be responsible.

How Our Burn Injury Law Firm Can Help

In Montgomery, Alabama, Frank Wilson understands what you’re going through and the losses that you have suffered. While nothing can undo many of the effects of the injury you have suffered, filing a personal injury claim could result in financial compensation that allows you to move forward in life. To learn more about our burn injury law firm and your rights, please reach us by phone, online, or in person to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We are here for you.