Topeka Burn Injury Lawyer

According to the World Health Organization, over 180,000 deaths are caused by burn injuries yearly. While some burn injuries are minor, severe burn injuries can affect your quality of life so much that you’ll need a Topeka burn injury lawyer’s intervention.

The recovery process for many burn victims requires hospitalization, lots of medications, and therapies. These can have life-altering complications on the finances and emotional well-being of the victim and their family. In addition to enduring excruciating pain, expensive medical treatments, and risk of infections, burn victims often deal with psychological trauma throughout their lives.

If you are dealing with a burn injury in Topeka as a result of someone’s negligence, product defect, or accident, you have a right to recover compensation against the party responsible.

Understanding Burn Injuries

Burns are tissue damage caused by heat, radiation, electricity, scalding liquid, flammable gasses, chemicals, or the sun. They can destroy the skin’s protective barrier, leaving the skin susceptible to infections, bacteria, and dangerous toxins. While some burn injuries are mild and can be treated with home remedies, other cases can be severe leading to scars, disfigurement, body morbidity, or worse, death.

Classification of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are classified according to the severity of the burn and the amount of damage done to the skin. Health care providers classify this injury into four categories:

First-Degree Burns

These are the mildest burns. They affect only the top layer of your skin, called the epidermis. First-degree burns usually cause redness, dryness, swelling, and mild pain, like sunburn.

Second-Degree Burns

Second-degree burns go deeper than first-degree burns, affecting both the epidermis and the layer below (the dermis). They often cause blisters, intense pain, and redness which may take a longer time to heal and sometimes require hospitalization.

Third-Degree Burns

These are serious types of burn injuries that require immediate medical attention. They harm all layers of your skin and may even damage tissues underneath. Third-degree burns often look white, black, or charred, and they can actually be less painful because the nerves may be damaged, causing numbness.

Fourth-Degree Burns

These are even more serious and can affect muscles, tendons, and bones. They require immediate medical attention. It is crucial to seek medical help for second-degree burns and beyond because they can lead to different complications and scarring. Getting medical help will also help when gathering evidence to support your case against the at-fault party.

Why Choose Palmer Law Group?

Burn victims should not be left to suffer the pain and burden of their extensive medical treatment alone. Under Kansas law, burn injury victims can exercise their legal right to sue for the injuries caused by the negligent, reckless, and malicious act of another.

With over 60 years of legal experience, our Topeka personal injury lawyers can provide you with the legal support and guidance you need during this difficult time. We have successfully recovered over $100 million in settlement for our clients, and you can trust that we will handle your case with utmost priority. We understand that burn injuries can be devastating, and we are committed to helping you seek the justice and the maximum compensation you deserve.

Who Are The Parties Liable to Pay Me Compensation for My Burn Injuries?

There is a lot at stake when it comes to getting justice and monetary compensation against the party responsible for your injuries. This is because burn injury claims can arise from different causes such as residential fire incidents, work-related fire incidents, chemical burns, unsafe products, electrical burns, vehicle accidents, explosions, etc.

As a result, several parties can be held liable for these preventable injuries you suffer. Without legal support, it can be extremely difficult to identify the actual liable parties and to prove their degree of fault. To top it off, the parties responsible or their insurance companies will stop at nothing to avoid paying you damages.

Our field of expert lawyers will delve into the facts of your case and gather all evidence to give you the best possible outcome.

How Much Compensation Can A Topeka Burn Injury Lawyer Get for Me?

Every burn injury claim is different because the injury suffered and its severity varies on a case basis. The award or insurance payout you receive depends on the unique circumstances of your case.

So, it’s essential to consult our firm to help you evaluate the details of your case. During a case review, our attorneys will consider the severity of your injuries and secure the appropriate compensation through negotiation or legal action.

What Are The Common Damages Awarded in A Kansas Burn Injury Lawsuit?

The damages awarded in burn injury claims help to restore you to the position you were in before the unfortunate incident occurred. In Topeka, Kansas, there are three types of settlements awarded in burn injury claims and they include:

General Damages

These damages provide compensation for the pain, suffering, and emotional distress experienced by the burn injury victim. They are awarded to compensate you for intangible losses that may not have a specific dollar value. Examples include pain and suffering, loss of companionship, emotional distress, etc.

Special Damages

Special damages compensate for the economic losses directly related to the burn injury suffered. These are specific, quantifiable financial losses or expenses incurred as a result of the injury caused by someone else’s wrongful actions or negligence.

They are intended to compensate you for the actual monetary losses suffered. Examples include medical bills, lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, property damage, etc.

Punitive Damages

In some cases, if the responsible party’s conduct was particularly reckless or intentional, the court may award punitive damages. These damages are designed to punish the at-fault party and to deter similar behavior in the future.

FAQs

You probably have lots of questions regarding your burn injury case. Here we provide answers to common questions we get about burn injury claims:

How Long Do I Have to File A Personal Injury Claim for Burn Injuries in Topeka, Kansas?

In Kansas, there’s a time limit for filing a burn injury claim, known as the statute of limitations. Generally, you have two years from the date of the injury to file your claim. Therefore it’s essential to adhere to this time frame, as failing to do so may result in your claim being barred.

Can I Handle My Burn Injury Claim Myself?

Yes, you can, but we strongly advise against it. Seeking the assistance of an experienced personal injury attorney, specifically one who handles burn injury cases, is often crucial in getting the justice and compensation you deserve. We can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, file a lawsuit on your behalf.

What Happens If I Am Partially at Fault for My Burn Injuries?

Kansas follows a modified comparative fault system. This means that if you’re partially responsible for your burn injury, your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault. However, if your fault is determined to be greater than that of the other party (50% or more), you may not be eligible to recover any compensation.

Is There A Cap on The Amount I Can Claim on Damages?

Yes there is. Kansas law limits the amount of financial compensation you can receive in a burn injury claim. However, the limit is only applicable to non-economic damages such as pain and suffering and it is limited to a total of $250,000 per plaintiff.

If you still have questions concerning the unique circumstances of your burn injury case, our lawyers will be more than happy to answer them during a private consultation.

Secure Maximum Compensation With Palmer Law Group Today!

Navigating a burn injury claim can be difficult to handle alone while dealing with your recovery process. But with the help of our experienced burn injury lawyers, we can help you understand your rights, gather relevant evidence, and fight to get justice and maximum compensation for your injuries.

Attorney LJ Leatherman

LJ Leatherman passionately believes in fair and dedicated representation for individuals who have been affected by automobile negligence, electrical injuries, firearm litigation, wrongful death, and third-party claims against insurance companies and all other areas of personal injury litigation. [Read More]