Charleston Burn Injury Attorney

Surviving a burn injury is challenging enough without having to fight for fair compensation from liable parties and uncooperative insurance companies. If you suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s bad behavior, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, and other related losses. You deserve a seasoned legal advocate who can help you get it.

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Joe Cunningham Law is committed to standing up for local burn injury victims and their families. As a former U.S. Congressman, Joe has always prioritized people above all else, and he continues implementing this approach in his private practice. He stays in frequent contact with clients about case progress, provides straightforward advice at all times, and doesn’t hesitate to take other parties to court when they don’t play fair.

Learn how Joe can make a difference in your burn injury case. Reach out today for a free consultation with a burn injury lawyer in Charleston.

What Are the Common Causes of Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries can happen in a wide range of accidents and scenarios. While the circumstances are diverse, most preventable burns arise from the following handful of common causes:

House Fires – One of the most common causes of burn injuries, house fires can occur due to various everyday factors, such as cooking accidents, faulty wiring, or unattended candles.
Scalding – Scalding burns can occur from exposure to hot liquids or steam. Many scalds occur due to contact with hot beverage spills, steam from boiling pots, or overly hot tap water.
Electrical Accidents – Contact with live wires, electrical outlets, or appliances can cause electrical burns. These are common in work settings, especially for electricians and construction workers.
Vehicle Accidents – Car, motorcycle, and other vehicle accidents can result in burn injuries due to explosions or fires from fuel ignition, caustic chemical spills, or “road rash.”
Workplace Accidents – Certain workplaces, such as construction sites, factories, and kitchens, present a higher risk of burn injuries due to constant exposure to heat, chemicals, or electricity.
Chemical Exposure – Substances like strong acids or alkalis can cause chemical burns. These chemicals are common in household cleaning products and industrial materials.
Radiation Exposure – Overexposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds can cause burns. People who work with radiation, such as X-ray technicians, are also at risk of radiation burns.
Recreational Activities – Unattended campfires or grills, mishandled fireworks, and prolonged sun exposure can contribute to recreation-related burn injuries.
Defective Products – Malfunctioning appliances, flammable or toxic products, and defective vehicle safety features can cause product-related burns.

What Are the Medical Costs for Burn Victims?

Burn injuries frequently result in considerable medical expenses due to the intricate and often long-term nature of the care required. Immediate medical attention is essential, and the costs of initial evaluations, pain management medications, and wound care in emergency rooms can accumulate quickly.

Beyond these immediate costs, many patients require extended hospital stays for more intensive care, which increases the overall cost substantially. Surgeries and medical procedures, sometimes including skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries, contribute significantly to the overall financial burden.

Specialized burn care, often provided at burn centers or specialized burn units, is necessary for severe burns and adds considerable expense. Once these initial treatments are over, patients often need long-term physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain mobility and functionality. The emotional trauma from burn injuries can also necessitate psychological counseling.

In cases of severe burns resulting in permanent disability, the costs of long-term or lifelong care can be overwhelming. These can include the costs of in-home care, assistive devices, or stays in long-term care facilities. The need for follow-up visits, ongoing care, or prosthetics can also add to financial strain.

When considering a legal claim, it’s crucial to consider these potential costs. If you suffered a burn due to someone else’s wrongdoing, you could be entitled to money for these medical expenses and more.

What Are the Types and Degrees of Burns?

Burn injuries can be devastating, often causing not just physical pain but long-term emotional and psychological distress. Doctors categorize these injuries into different types and degrees of burns to standardize recordkeeping and inform treatment plans.

Common types of burn injuries include the following:

Thermal burns from exposure to extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold
Chemical burns from contact with acidic, alkaline, or other corrosive chemicals
Electrical burns from contact with electrical sources or lightning strikes
Radiation burns from prolonged exposure to radiation, like UV rays from the sun
Friction burns, also called abrasions, which are scrapes caused by friction against the skin
Inhalation burns from breathing in smoke, steam, scorching air, or chemical fumes
Contact burns from direct contact with extremely hot or cold objects or surfaces

Burn injuries are also classified according to the following degrees:

First-Degree Burns – First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin. These burns lead to pain, redness, and swelling but do not typically require medical treatment beyond over-the-counter ointments and pain medication. While first-degree burns are uncomfortable, they usually heal within days or weeks.
Second-Degree Burns – Second-degree burns penetrate through to the second layer of skin, causing pain, redness, swelling, and blistering. Second-degree burns take longer to heal, typically several weeks, and sometimes require prescription ointments and bandaging. Skin grafting is necessary in some cases involving burns that cover large areas.
Third-Degree Burns – Third-degree burns extend into the deepest layers of soft tissue, causing damage to the skin and underlying structures. Burn sites can appear white or black and sometimes feel numb due to nerve damage. Treatment often involves skin grafting and long-term physical therapy; recovery can take months or longer.

Who Is Liable for a Burn Injury in South Carolina?

Various parties could be at fault depending on the circumstances of the injury, and identifying each of these parties is an important part of claiming and receiving fair compensation for your losses.

Among the various parties that could be liable in a South Carolina burn injury case are the following:

Property Owners – If a burn injury occurs due to a hazard on someone else’s property, the property owner could be liable under South Carolina’s premises liability laws.
Product Manufacturers – In situations where a defective or unsafe product causes a burn injury, the product manufacturer could be responsible under product liability laws.
Service Providers – Service providers such as utility companies or maintenance contractors could be liable if their negligence contributes to a gas leak or other condition that causes a burn injury.
Vehicle Operators – If a burn injury results from a fire, explosion, or other consequence of a traffic accident, the driver who causes the accident could be liable.
Government Entities – In certain cases, government entities could be held liable, such as if a burn happens in a poorly maintained public space or due to government employee negligence.

Can I Get Compensation for My Burn Injury?

Yes. If you suffered a burn injury caused by someone else, a Charleston lawyer could help you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit to recover compensation for the following types of losses:

Medical expenses
Future healthcare costs
Lost income
Lost lifetime earning capacity

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Lost quality of life

What a Charleston, SC, Burn Injury Attorney Can Do for Your Case

If you or someone close to you suffered a burn injury due to another party’s negligence or wrongful actions, contacting an experienced Charleston personal injury attorney should be a priority. A lawyer can support you throughout the legal process by:

Investigating the Incident

Gathering evidence like medical records, employment or training policies, product manuals, photos, and witness statements to build your case

Assessing Liability

Identifying all potentially liable parties, developing proof of liability, and pursuing fair compensation from all available sources

Handling Claim Paperwork

Preparing and submitting insurance claims, workers’ comp claims, demand letters, and other legal or insurance documentation on your behalf

Managing Communications

Acting as a point of contact and responding to all communications from other parties, their insurance companies, and other attorneys so you can focus on recovering

Consulting Experts

Hiring and working with subject matter experts like doctors, engineers, and economists to obtain valuable testimony and bolster your case

Negotiating Settlements

Leveraging investigative findings to negotiate fair out-of-court settlements with other parties and their insurance companies

Taking Legal Action

Filing lawsuits if other parties will not agree to fair settlement deals

Get Started on Your Claim Today

843-633-3360 Schedule a Free Consultation

How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, you have three years from the date you were burned to file a lawsuit against the parties you believe to be responsible. However, some circumstances could shorten or extend this three-year filing window. Additionally, preparing a lawsuit takes time, so it’s wise to consult a Charleston personal injury attorney as soon as possible after a burn injury occurs.

Contact a Burn Injury Lawyer in Charleston, SC, Today

If you or a loved one suffered burns in an accident caused by someone else’s wrongdoing, you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. Joe Cunningham is ready to be your advocate, build a strong claim on your behalf, and leverage his considerable negotiating skills to maximize your payout.

For attentive, compassionate legal representation, contact Joe Cunningham Law today to discuss your burn injury case in a free consultation.

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