OWENSBORO BURN INJURY ATTORNEY

Experiencing a burn injury can be an agonizing and traumatic ordeal. Victims could face multiple surgeries, long hospital stays, and prolonged rehabilitation therapies. If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a fire-related incident, you could be entitled to compensation from the responsible party, such as:

• Medical expenses
• Wage loss
• Awards for pain and suffering

Burn injury claims can be complex. However, you do not have to face an insurance company or lawsuit on your own. Morgan & Morgan is here to help burn injury victims. Our committed Owensboro, KY burn injury lawyers can walk you through your legal options and hold the responsible party to account. Contact us now to find out for free how we could help you get justice and compensation.

Types of Burn Injuries

Figures from the American Burns Association (ABA) show that around 486,000 Americans seek medical treatment for burn injuries annually. Most fire injuries happen at work or in the home. Common causes for burns include:

• Coming into contact with fire and flames 
• Hot water or steam scalding
• Electrical burns
• Chemical burns
• Burns from radiation

Burn Injury Classifications

Burn injuries can cause redness, swelling, blistering, and pain. In general, there are three main classifications for burn injuries:  

1. First-degree burns – minor burns damaging only the outer layer of skin.
2. Second-degree burns – moderate burns that damage the outer and second skin layer.
3. Third-degree burns – severe burns that can damage several skin layers, including muscles and bone. 

Where Do Most Burn Injuries Occur in Owensboro? 

Burn injuries can occur almost anywhere in Kentucky, including in your own home. According to the US Fire Administration, most fire fatalities in the state occur in residential buildings and other structures, followed by vehicles and outdoors. 

Houses and Apartments  

Fires in apartment buildings and houses can occur for a multitude of reasons, including:

• Cooking accidents
• Defective electrical wiring
• Faulty electric appliances
• Arson

Landlords may be responsible if they neglect property maintenance or fail to adhere to Kentucky fire safety laws and regulations. Rented homes should have fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and other fire safety provisions.  

Workplaces

Although fires can potentially happen in all work environments, burn injuries can be more common in the manufacturing, construction, and hospitality industries. Owensboro workers who suffer a burn injury are usually entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. However, if a third-party, such as a property owner or another contractor, carelessly caused your burn injuries, you could file a personal injury lawsuit and receive additional compensation. 

Commercial Buildings

Fires and burn injuries can happen in all types of commercial property, such as hotels, restaurants, malls, medical centers, and others. Property and business owners must make reasonable efforts to keep guests and visitors safe. Failing to do so could mean that they are liable for damages if someone comes to harm. 

Car Accidents 

Occasionally, serious car accidents can lead to fires and burn injuries. If another caused your accident, you could file an insurance claim or lawsuit and seek damages.  

Defective Products

Defective products such as electric appliances can cause burn injuries due to overheating or exploding. If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury from a faulty electric device or another product, the manufacturer or part manufacturer might be liable for your damages. 

Victims Could Have Legal Recourse

Landlords, employers, and business owners are responsible for ensuring that their premises are reasonably safe. If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury due to the negligence of another, our attorneys could help you pursue compensation. 

The Long-Term Effects of Burn Injuries

While minor burn injuries can heal independently, major burns can cause long-term, lifelong, and expensive health issues. Some of the long-term consequences of burn injuries include: 

Nerve Damage

In a severe burn injury, underlying tissues and nerve endings can get damaged and destroyed, leading to temporary or permanent nerve damage. Symptoms of nerve damage include:

• Numbness
• Tingling
• Burning sensations
• Shooting pains in the affected area
• Sensitivity to touch

Victims with a severe burn injury may experience a complete loss of sensation in the area impacted due to the nerves being permanently destroyed. 

Disfigurement

Permanent disfigurement and scarring can be common with significant burn injuries. Burn scars may become raised and discolored. Patients with permanent disfigurement can experience considerable emotional distress, especially when the face is affected. 

Loss of limbs

When the deeper layers of skin and tissue are destroyed in severe burn injuries, limb amputations may become necessary to save the victim’s life. 

Loss of Function

Deep burns can significantly damage muscles and bones. As a result, victims may lose function or mobility in the affected body area. 

Infection Risk

Since burn injuries damage the skin’s protective layer, patients are at an increased risk of developing infections at the injury site and elsewhere in the body. 

Emotional Trauma 

Experiencing a fire and burn injury can be upsetting and traumatizing. Victims may develop psychological disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and others. 

Burn Victims in Owensboro Can Pursue Compensation

You could qualify for compensation if you experienced a burn injury due to another’s careless or reckless conduct. What you can recover will depend on the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the incident. For example, if your injury happened at work, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation. If you suffered a burn injury at your home, you could hold a landlord responsible in certain circumstances and receive damages.  

Workers' Compensation 

Workers who experience an accident and injury are generally entitled to workers’ compensation. Kentucky workers’ compensation insurance provides benefits such as:

• Medical treatment
• Wage replacement 
• Vocational benefits such as retraining costs

A deceased worker’s family could qualify for benefits such as burial and funeral expenses and ongoing monthly payments for a spouse and dependent children.  

Burn Injury Claim 

If you got hurt on someone else’s property, you could have a burn injury claim against the at-fault party or their insurer. While settlements differ depending on the circumstances of the injured individuals, you could qualify for: 

Income Losses

Severe burn injuries can leave victims permanently disabled and unable to return to their previous job. Some may never work again. Victims could qualify for awards for income loss and loss of future earning capacity.  

Healthcare Expenses 

Severe burn injuries can come with astronomical medical costs. According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the average hospital cost for treating a burn injury patient was over $93,000 in 2014. 

Filing a claim or lawsuit could qualify victims for reimbursement of their medical costs such as hospital stays, medications, and specialist appointments. Victims could also receive awards for future healthcare costs.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and discomfort can be intense and ongoing with significant burns. If someone else is responsible for the fire or incident that caused your injury, you could seek various damages, including:

• Emotional distress
• Physical pain and anguish
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Permanent disability
• Reduced life quality 

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are generally rare in personal injury claims. However, if someone’s conduct was particularly reckless or malicious in causing your injury, such as deliberate arson, a court could award punitive damages. These damages are designed to act as a deterrent and punishment for the at-fault party. If awarded, victims receive punitive damages in addition to compensation.

Morgan & Morgan Can Help

We understand the issues burn victims can face, such as steep medical and rehabilitation bills, wage loss, and other expenses. Moreover, when you are out of work, paying for these expenses and taking care of your family can be challenging. However, if someone else caused your injury, you should not have to shoulder the financial burden alone. Morgan & Morgan has your back. Our Owensboro, KY burn injury lawyers can work tirelessly for the best possible outcome of your case and maximum compensation so you can get your life back on track.