Champaign Burn Accident Lawyer
Burns are some of the most common injuries caused by accidents. In many cases, an accident victim can recover quickly from a minor burn, but more serious burn injuries can be devastating for victims. Severe burns can cause permanent disability, scarring, and disfigurement that necessitate compensation to cover the costs of lifelong care. The expert burn injury attorneys at Patel Law, P.C. in Champaign understand the seriousness of this type of harm and have helped many burn victims throughout central Illinois get the compensation they deserve after an accident. To schedule a free consultation with a Champaign burn accident lawyer, call or contact our office today.
Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be caused in many different ways and in many types of accidents. The most common type of burn injury is caused by heat and comes from direct exposure to fire, matches, explosions, candles, and lighters. Scalding burn injuries are also common, being caused by exposure to hot boiling liquids or steam. Chemical burns happen often in accidents around the house or on construction sites when a victim is exposed to chemical compounds that are highly acidic or corrosive in nature. Electrical burn injuries can also cause serious damage if a victim makes contact with a live electrical current.
Burn Injuries can be Catastrophic
The damage caused by burn injuries cannot be overstated. Burns are some of the most painful injuries that an accident victim can endure, with multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and lengthy recovery time necessary for the worst cases. Burn injuries are typically categorized as either a first, second, or third degree burn.
A first degree burn causes minor damage to the most outer layer of the skin. Signs of a first degree burn include redness, inflammation, pain, swelling, and dry or peeling skin as the burn heals. Typically, a first degree burn will heal within a week or two without major medical intervention.
A second degree burn is more serious and causes damage to the outer and inner layers of skin. Blisters are a common sign of a second degree burn, as is severe pain and red, white, or splotchy skin. Deep second degree burns can cause scarring or changes to the pigment of the skin. A typical second degree burn can take a couple of weeks to heal properly, but deep second degree burns may require a skin graft to repair the damage.
Third degree burns are the most severe and almost always require emergency medical care. A third degree burn damages all layers of the skin and the fat layer below. This degree of burn injury can also damage nerve endings, causing numbness and other problems. Signs of a third degree burn include white or dark brown skin, charring, and a raised and leathery texture of the skin. Without skin grafts and other emergency measures, third degree burn injuries cause significant scarring and other injuries when the burned area contracts while healing.
In addition to the burn injury itself, complications are common with burns. Infections, blood loss, and shock are common side effects of a burn injury that can cause additional damage to an accident victim. If you have suffered burn injuries in an accident, talk to an experienced personal injury attorney right away.
Compensation for Burn Injury Accidents
Receiving full compensation for burn victims after an accident is critical because of the extensive current and future costs of care. Compensation for burn injuries includes payment for all economic and noneconomic damage caused by the accident. Economic damages include all medical bills, lost wages, loss of future income and benefits, and any property damage caused by the accident. Noneconomic damages compensate the victim for their pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. For burn victims, noneconomic damages can be significant given the potential for disability and disfigurement after an accident.
An expert lawyer in burn injury claims is your best chance at receiving full and fair compensation for your case. An attorney can review the details of your claims and ensure that the insurance companies do not offer less in a settlement than what you deserve. Let your attorney handle your legal case so that you can focus on what is most important – your recovery.
Call or Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury in central Illinois, call or contact an experienced Champaign burn accident lawyer at Patel Law, P.C. today to schedule a free evaluation of your case.
