If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury, 
Varying Degrees of Burn Injuries
It is important to recognize that there are varying degrees of burn injuries. For instance, a minor rug burn will not cause the same pain and suffering as a burn sustained by an open fire. These differences in degrees are often referred to as first, second, and third-degree burns.
When seeking compensation for your injuries, the law will consider the unique circumstances of your injury and compensate you according to the harm you have suffered during your recovery.
First-degree burns
A first-degree burn is a minor burn that affects the top layer of the skin. This type of burn is usually red, dry, and painful. First-degree burns can usually be treated at home with cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medication.
Second-degree burns
A second-degree burn is more severe than a first-degree burn and affects both the top and second layers of the skin. This type of burn can cause blisters, swelling, and extreme pain. Second-degree burns often require medical treatment, such as with cold compresses, ointments, and bandages.
A person may suffer second-degree burns from any number of sources, including:
- Scalding liquids
- Flames
- Chemicals
- Electrical shock
Third-degree burns
A third-degree burn is the most serious type of burn and affects all layers of skin. This type of burn can cause blisters, charring, and swelling. Third-degree burns often require surgery and lengthy hospital stays. Recovering from third-degree burns can be a difficult process. Many victims require skin grafts to repair the damage done by the burn. In some cases, victims may need to spend weeks or even months in the hospital recovering from their injuries.
There are potentially unlimited causes of third-degree burns, but some of the more common causes we see include the following:
- Touching a hot object
- Open flames
- Exposure to radiation
- Electrical injuries
If you have suffered from a third-degree burn, it is important to seek medical help immediately. Third-degree burns can often lead to infection and other serious complications.
A Burn Injury Lawyer Can Help You
As with any serious injury, if you have suffered a serious burn injury, you may need to seek medical treatment. Burn injuries can be very dangerous and lead to infection or death if not treated properly. It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions carefully and take all medication prescribed to you. It is also important to rest and allow the injured area to heal. You may need to avoid activities that could cause further injury to the area.
Your burn may take several weeks or even months to heal completely. During this time, you may experience some pain and discomfort. You may also have some scarring from the burn. The scars may be permanent, but many times they fade over time.
Just as a doctor helps you recover physically, a trained attorney will help you recover financially. At the Ammons Law Firm, our trained burn injury lawyers will help you recover all medical costs associated with your burn injury and help you receive fair compensation for the pain and suffering you have endured during your recovery process. Further, if your injuries cause long-term disfigurement, we will help you recover compensation for the emotional trauma you have and will continue to experience because of your injury.
Legal Damages Available in a Burn Injury Lawsuit
When you suffer a burn injury in an accident or from a defective product, you have the right to recover monetary damages from the person or company responsible. There are several different types of damages available in a personal injury lawsuit, but they are generally categorized into two groups: non-economic and economic damages. These damages allow you to recover the costs associated with your injury, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Economic damages
Economic damages are damages that can be quantified in terms of money. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. These damages are often easier to recover than non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, because they are more readily proven through bills and receipts. Some common examples of economic damages include:
- Medical expenses – Medical expenses are one of the most common types of economic damages. Victims of burn injuries often require expensive medical treatment, including surgery, hospital stays, and prescription drugs.
- Lost Wages – Lost wages are another common type of economic damage. Victims of burn injuries may not be able to work for an extended period while recovering from their injuries. In some cases, they may never be able to return to work.
- Property Damage – Property damage is also a type of economic damage. Victims whose property is damaged in an accident may be able to recover the cost of repairing or replacing the property.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are those that cannot be quantified in terms of money. This category of damages includes things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium. These damages are often more difficult to recover than economic damages because they are subjective and depend on the facts and circumstances of your case. Thus, to receive fair compensation for your pain and suffering, you will need a trained advocate to adequately convey the harm caused by your injury.
Some common examples of non-economic damages include:
- Pain and Suffering – Pain and suffering include the physical pain and discomfort that victims experience because of their injuries.
- Mental Anguish – Mental anguish includes the emotional stress and trauma that victims experience because of their injuries.
- Loss of Consortium – Loss of consortium includes the loss of companionship and assistance victims suffer because of their injuries.
Non-economic damages in a burn injury case are often significant. As mentioned above, a severe burn injury is one of the most excruciating injuries a human can experience. As such, burn injuries are catastrophic injuries and require skilled advocacy to prove and recover adequately.
Proving Liability in a Burn Injury Lawsuit
There are several ways a person or company can be held liable for the injuries caused in an accident. One of the most common ways is through negligence. To hold someone liable for negligence, you must prove that the person or company owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty, and that the breach caused your injuries. You must also prove that you suffered damages because of the accident. This can be done by providing evidence of medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Alternatively, if a product defect caused your burn injury, you may be able to hold the manufacturer or reseller responsible through strict product liability. To hold a company liable under strict liability, you must prove that the product was defective, that the defect caused your injuries, and that the company was aware or should have been aware of the defect.
When you suffer serious burns, it is important to talk with a trained lawyer who can help you determine the best way to hold the appropriate parties responsible. Many times, you may not know who the wrongdoer is; however, a trained lawyer will be able to identify the root cause of your injury and hold the appropriate parties responsible.
Contact our El Paso Burn Injury Lawyers
After sustaining injuries in an accident that was not your fault, it may be unclear what to do next. You may be wondering how you will afford your medical bills or if you will be able to return to work. In addition, you may be feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about your rights. This is where a personal injury lawyer can help. A personal injury lawyer will defend your right to fair compensation and protect your interests throughout the legal process. At the Ammons Law Firm, our team of experienced personal injury lawyers has a proven track record of success in burn injury cases. We understand our clients’ challenges and are dedicated to fighting for the best possible outcome. If you have been injured in an accident, contact our El Paso burn injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation. We will review your case and advise you on your legal options.
