While some burn injuries initially appear minor and manageable, many cause significant, long-lasting medical problems and unexpected personal and financial struggles. If you suffered a burn injury in Decatur, Alabama, you might deal with a painful and costly recovery, lost income, and severe emotional trauma.
You don’t have to go through this challenging time alone. A compassionate attorney with Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., can help you seek the compensation you deserve for your burn injury losses. Contact our legal team today for a free case review to learn how we can pursue justice and financial relief for you.
Choosing a Burn Injury Lawyer in Decatur
Finding the right lawyer is essential when taking legal action for a burn injury.
When you’re choosing a burn injury lawyer in Decatur, consider the following:
- A proven track record of handling and winning burn injury cases similar to yours
- Positive client testimonials and peer reviews indicating a solid reputation in the community
- Access to professional resources like medical experts and accident reconstructionists
- Local experience and a familiarity with local and state laws and regulations
- A commitment to open communication and keeping you informed throughout the legal process
- Trial experience demonstrating comfort and familiarity with the courtroom
- A transparent and affordable approach to legal fees
Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., is proud of our qualifications on these traits and many other aspects that allow us to effectively pursue compensation for individuals who have sustained serious injuries like burns.
How Common Are Burn Injuries in Decatur?
Burn injuries are a serious public health issue throughout the United States and here in Decatur. According to a recent analysis of national emergency department data:
- More than 400,000 patients receive emergency care for burn injuries annually in the U.S.
- More than 3,000 burn injuries result in death each year.
- About 92 percent of burn injury victims visit emergency departments (EDs) for treatment.
- Burn injuries accounted for 0.4 percent of an estimated 794 million ED visits over a recent six-year period, totaling more than 3 million ED visits for burns.
- Nearly 4 percent of all burn-related ED visits during that time required transfers for further care.
- The average age of adult burn patients is 40. Nearly half of the patients are female.
- Fifty percent of adult burn patients suffered injuries to body parts in high-risk areas, including the eyes, face, head, neck, airway, and hands.
What Are the Main Types and Degrees of Burns?
Common burn types include the following:
- Thermal – Burns from heat sources like fire, scalding liquids, steam, or hot surfaces
- Chemical – Burns from caustic chemical substances like acids or bases contacting the skin
- Electrical – Burns from electrical currents passing through the skin or other soft tissues
- Friction – Burns from friction against the skin, like rope burns or road rash
- Radiation – Burns from prolonged exposure to radiation, such as sunlight or radioactive materials
Medical professionals classify burns by severity, which includes:
- First-degree burns – Superficial burns that damage only the outer layer of skin
- Second-degree burns – Deeper burns that affect both the outer and underlying layers of skin
- Third-degree burns – Severe burns that penetrate all layers of skin and destroy nerves and tissues
What Are the Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Decatur?
Burn injuries can result from a wide range of accidental causes.
Some of the most frequent scenarios that cause burn trauma include the following:
- Residential fires
- Industrial fires
- Wildfires
- Scalding liquids
- Burning oil
- Steam
- Smoke inhalation
- Hot surfaces
- Caustic chemicals
- Electrical currents
- Radiation exposure
- Sustained friction
Burn Injury Claims in Decatur, Alabama
Depending on the cause and circumstances of a Decatur burn injury, you could demand compensation from one or more of the following types of injury claims:
- Personal injury claims – Claims involving injuries resulting from a third party’s wrongful behavior
- Product liability claims – Claims against manufacturers or sellers of defective or unreasonably dangerous products
- Premises liability claims – Claims against property owners who fail to keep their premises safe
- Workers’ compensation claims – No-fault employee claims for work-related injuries
- Government liability claims – Claims against responsible government entities or employees
- Medical malpractice claims – Claims against healthcare providers for professional negligence
Potential Compensation for Burn Injury Victims
With a successful burn injury claim, you could recover compensation for the following types of losses:
- Past and future burn-related medical expenses
- Lost income due to time away from work
- Lost future earning potential from permanent impairments
- Pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life
Why Do I Need a Burn Injury Lawyer?
Pursuing fair compensation after a devastating burn injury can be extremely difficult. Our experienced personal injury attorneys can take on the big insurance companies and fight to maximize your claim’s value.
Our lawyers can strengthen your case by:
- Conducting an in-depth investigation – Our lawyers are ready to devote significant time and resources to gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and demonstrating liability for your injury.
- Fully accounting for your losses – Our attorneys frequently work with financial, medical, and vocational experts to fully quantify the medical costs, lost income, and other losses to include in a burn injury claim.
- Skillfully negotiate – Our lawyers are experienced negotiators who can stand up to insurance companies and effectively convey a claim’s strengths to pursue the best possible settlement.
- Taking your case to trial – Our lawyers’ ability to take a case to court puts pressure on the other side to offer more during settlement negotiations.
Statute of Limitations on Decatur Burn Claims
Alabama law gives you just two years from the date of a burn accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, with a few narrow exceptions. If you miss the statutory two-year deadline, the court will most likely dismiss your case. If so, you would lose your right to seek compensation in civil court for your burn injury.
It’s wise to consult our personal injury attorneys as soon as possible after a burn accident to review your legal options and ensure you begin the process well before the deadline passes.
Get a Free Case Review from Our Decatur Burn Lawyers
If you suffered a burn injury someone else caused, the attentive and experienced attorneys at Morris, King & Hodge, P.C., want to advocate for your rights and interests. Contact our office today for a free case review with our Decatur burn lawyers.
