Burn Injury Attorneys in Biloxi

Serious burns are among the most painful, disfiguring, and debilitating wounds a victim can suffer during an accident. Depending on how much skin is affected and how deep the burn goes, a victim could live with the effects of a burn injury for the rest of their life. Furthermore, the costs associated with a burn injury can be tremendously high.

If you’ve suffered burns because of someone else’s negligence, you should not be left to shoulder the enormous costs on your own. With a personal injury attorney, you can fight for the compensation you deserve. Call Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151 to schedule a consultation now.

Types of Burn Injuries

Burns are categorized in several different ways. These categorizations help medical professionals know what type of treatment you need, what your prognosis is, and what the long-term effects of your burn may have. To start, burns are rated in terms of severity:

• First degree. A first-degree burn only affects the outermost layer of skin. This type of burn can be uncomfortable but rarely has serious lasting issues.
• Second degree. A second-degree burn penetrates the outermost layer of skin and the dermis. While more serious than a first-degree burn, victims may heal from a second-degree burn with minimal long-term effects. Much depends on how severely the dermis is affected by the burn.
• Third degree. Third-degree burns are extremely serious. This type of burn reaches all layers of your skin, and beyond that, it often reaches underlying tissue. In some cases, third-degree burns are extremely painful. In cases where the nerve endings are destroyed, victims may feel no pain with a third-degree burn.
• Fourth degree. Fourth degree burns can be fatal and lead to lifelong consequences. These types of burns cause damage to ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The nerve damage leads to a complete loss of sensation in the affected areas.

Your burn may be further categorized by how much skin is affected. The more skin that is affected by a burn, the more severe the potential side effects are. This leaves more of the skin exposed to potential infections and other threats, which could lead to sepsis. Additionally, damaged blood vessels leak fluid, leading to shock.

What Causes Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries are divided into different causes, including:

• Electrical burns. If you touch a live electrical current, you may suffer an electrical burn. This is most common on worksites or in buildings with poorly maintained electrical systems.
• Friction burns. When the skin rubs on a hard object, friction burns occur. Road rash from a motorcycle accident is a good example of a friction burn.
• Thermal burns. Thermal burns occur when you come into direct contact with a hot object. Fire, boiling liquids, and hot items all cause thermal burns.
• Chemical burns. This type of burn often occurs in manufacturing facilities, labs, and cleaning facilities. It occurs when the skin comes into direct contact with harsh chemicals.
• Radiation burns. X-rays, radiation therapy, and prolonged exposure to the sun can all lead to radiation burns.

As you see, almost every type of personal injury case has the potential for burn injuries. You may suffer burns as the result of:

• Unsafe work environment. Unfortunately, not all employers put enough time into keeping the workplace safe for employees. If your work has a habit of letting live wires dangle, leaving out hot objects without labeling them, or otherwise failing to take basic safety steps, you are at serious risk of burn injuries.
• Poor storage or labeling of chemicals. Labs, manufacturing facilities, and places that employ cleaning staff should have strict protocols for labeling and storing harsh chemicals. This does not always happen, and as a result, employees suffer chemical burns.
• Unsafe work protocols. In addition to labeling chemicals appropriately, workplaces should train employees in the proper use of chemicals and potentially dangerous items. If this doesn’t occur, employees are at risk of chemical and thermal burns.
• Poorly maintained stores or public areas. You may have a premises liability claim if you are burned while in someone’s home, in a store, or in another place where you are legally permitted to be.
• Vehicle accidents. Car accidents often cause burns. A serious enough crash can cause a car to start on fire, and those trapped inside may suffer major burns. Motorcyclists may suffer burns when they are thrown from their bikes and skid on the ground.
• House fires. Whether caused by poor electrical work, user error, or arson, house fires can leave victims with lifelong injuries and trauma.
• Defective products. Some products do not have safeguards in place to protect against overheating or chemical explosions. These products put consumers directly in harm’s way.

You May Be Entitled to Compensation

If you have been burned because of someone else’s negligence, you are likely facing significant medical expenses, loss of income, and other financial losses. In this case, you could be able to fight for compensation. In a burn injury case, you could seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses. Burn treatment therapies can be prohibitively expensive, so a fair settlement should include compensation for the medical expenses you have accrued because of your injury.
• Future medical costs. Those who sustain serious burns may need lifelong care to prevent infection and promote skin elasticity. Your attorney will look over your medical records to figure out whether or not you can ask for future medical expenses in your claim.
• Property damage. Loss of products, damage to your home, or damage to your vehicle may all be compensated in a personal injury settlement.
• Lost income. Spending time away from work is necessary for the healing process, but also financially impossible for some victims.
• Lost future wages. If your injury prohibits you from moving up in your career or requires you to cut back on hours permanently, you could be entitled to money for your lost future wages.
• Disability and/or disfigurement. Burns often cause painful scarring that may limit your mobility or permanently impact your quality of life.
• Pain and suffering. While no money can take away the pain you have suffered as the result of your injury, you should still be compensated for it.

Why You Need a Burn Injury Lawyer

After a burn injury, your top priority should be retaining a personal injury attorney. Whoever is responsible for your injury, you can bet that their insurance company is already looking for ways to discredit your claim and prevent you from getting the compensation you rightfully deserve.

This can play out in several different ways. You may be treated kindly and urged to tell your side of the story, which they then use to diminish your pain and suggest that you deserve less. They could play hardball and try to put the accident back on you, leading you to accept a pitifully small settlement without even exploring your options.

You need an advocate whose only goal is to get you the money you deserve. That is where we come in. When we engage with insurance companies, they know that their unfair tricks won’t work with us. We build a solid case for each client and use the evidence we’ve gathered to hold insurance companies accountable. Whether your claim is decided during negotiations or in the courtroom, we will fight with you every step of the way.

Call Reeves & Mestayer Now

The team at Reeves & Mestayer is ready to help you through this challenging time. We know how devastating burn injuries can be and we want to guide you through the personal injury claim process. Set up a consultation now by getting in touch online or giving us a call at 228-374-5151.