Burn Injury Lawyer Charleston, SC

Burn injuries can have significant and lasting impact on the victim from a physical, psychological, and financial standpoint. Unfortunately, many burn injuries are the result of another party’s negligence and may have been preventable. If you have suffered a burn that resulted from someone else’s careless or reckless act, you may be entitled to compensation.

If that is the case, and you’ve been injured, West Law is here to help you recover the compensation you deserve for your burn injuries. Caroline West has been fighting for rights of the injured for over 25 years.

Burn Injury First Steps

Because burns can sometimes cause damage that is not immediately apparent, a burn victim should seek medical help and a thorough medical examination as soon as possible. Medical professionals will be able to determine the type of burn and document the extent of the injuries.

Many burn injuries are caused by the negligence of another party. Burn injuries in adults, for example, may be the result of a work-related injury if the victim works near electricity, chemicals, heat sources, or radiation.

Auto accidents and home fires are also common causes of burn injuries. Burns in children are frequently caused by a lack of supervision by a caregiver or a dangerous product that lands in the hands of a child. Many of these burn injuries may have been prevented.

Common Types of Burn Injuries

To effectively treat your burn, it’s important to know which type of burn injury you’ve suffered. Some common types of burn injuries are:

Chemical burns. Chemical burns occur when a strong acid or alkali contacts the skin or eyes.
Thermal burns. Thermal burns occur when heat sources, such as hot metal or flames, raise the temperature of the skin.
Friction burns. Friction burns occur when skin is rubbed or scraped off by contact with a hard surface, such as concrete or asphalt.
Radiation burns. Radiation burns are caused by prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays or another source of radiation, such as X-rays.
Electrical burns. Electrical burns occur when an electrical current runs through the body. This type of burn can be Electrical Shock when the victim survives or Electrocution if the victim

dies as a result of the effects of the electrical current.

Inhalation burns. Inhalation burns are due to breathing in hot, polluted air from a fire.
Scald burns. Scald burns result from exposure to very hot water or steam.

A burn injury is also categorized by how severe the damage is. This is done by determining how many layers of the skin were penetrated. The different degrees of severity for a burn injury include:

First-degree burns. First-degree burns are the least serious form of burn. They affect only the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. First-degree burns cause symptoms such as redness, pain, and swelling. These burns usually heal up on their own and rarely require medical attention.
Second-degree burns. Second-degree burns cause damage to the epidermis and part of the layer of skin underneath it, known as the dermis. These burns result in redness, swelling, blistering, and intense pain. Second-degree burns are generally treated without surgery, but they may require a skin graft in more severe cases.
Third-degree burns. Third-degree burns occur when all layers of the skin are destroyed, permanently damaging nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat glands. Due to nerve endings being damaged, these burns usually aren’t painful but will lead to symptoms like charring, numbness, and leathery or white skin. A third-degree burn will likely require surgery and should always receive prompt medical attention.
Fourth-degree burns. A fourth-degree burn is the most severe type of burn injury. These burns destroy all layers of the skin and damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. Victims may also suffer serious nerve damage and symptoms such as intense charring, numbness, and loss of function. Fourth-degree burns lead to increased rates of amputation and death. They require immediate medical attention from a burn specialist.

Common Burn Injuries in the Workplace

A recent study showed that workplace burn injuries account for over 40% of all work-related injuries. Some common types of workplace burn injuries include:

Scalding from hot liquids or steam. Scalding is a leading type of burn injury in the United States, making up nearly 35% of all cases reported.
Chemical accidents. Chemical burns account for almost 15% of all work-related burns. They’re most likely to affect individuals who frequently work around dangerous or corrosive chemicals, such as industrial and agricultural workers.
Electrocutions/Electrical Shock. Electrical burns affect people in all different occupations, accounting for approximately 1500 workplace injuries per year.
Gas explosions. Gas is a commonly used resource throughout the manufacturing and industrial industries. Many of these gas related injuries could have been prevented.

Burn Injury Compensation

When a victim suffers a burn that could have been prevented if not for the negligence of another party, the resulting injuries and/or death could be compensable. A burn victim may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages.

“Economic damages” refer to compensation for things such as past and future medical bills, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred. Non-economic damages are what people often refer to as “pain and suffering,” for example.

A burn injury may require long-term care or future surgeries. Burns sometimes result in serious disfigurement and require painful skin grafts, so, if someone else’s negligence contributed to your injuries, then that party should bear the costs associated with your treatment and recovery.

Contact Our Charleston Burn Injury Attorney Today