Burn injuries are among the most excruciating and life-altering traumas a person can endure. Beyond the immediate physical pain, victims often face a lengthy road to recovery involving extensive medical treatments, permanent scarring and profound emotional distress. At Paul Rossi Law Offices, we understand the physical, emotional and financial toll a severe burn takes on a victim and their family. Our experienced legal team provides the compassionate support you need to rebuild your life.

What are the different types of burn injuries?

According to the American Burn Association, nearly half a million burn injuries require medical treatment each year in the United States. While many people associate burns solely with fire, these injuries can stem from various hazardous sources. Specifying the cause is a crucial step in your legal case, as it helps determine liability. 

Common classifications of burn injuries include:

• Thermal Burns: Caused by external heat sources such as open flames, scalding liquids, steam or hot surfaces.
• Chemical Burns: Resulting from contact with alkalis, strong acids, bleach or other corrosive materials often found in industrial settings.
• Electrical Burns: Caused by electrical currents passing through the body, which can cause severe internal damage in addition to surface burns.
• Radiation Burns: Most commonly seen as sunburn, but can also result from exposure to X-rays or radiation therapy in medical contexts.
• Cold Burns: Caused by exposure to freezing conditions or extremely cold materials, which can damage skin tissue similarly to heat.

Understanding the severity of burn injuries

Medical professionals categorize burns by degrees, which indicate the depth and severity of tissue damage.

• First-degree burns are limited to the outer layer of skin and typically heal without scarring.
• Second-degree burns penetrate deeper, often causing blistering and potential scarring.
• However, third-degree burns are catastrophic. These injuries destroy all layers of the skin and can damage underlying tissues, muscles and even bones. Victims of third-degree burns often require skin grafts and reconstructive surgery, and they may suffer from permanent disfigurement or loss of sensation.

Filing a burn injury claim in Indiana

If you believe your injury was caused by another party’s negligence, whether it was a landlord failing to maintain smoke detectors, a distracted driver causing a crash or a manufacturer selling a defective product, you have the right to seek justice.

To succeed in your claim, we must show that the other party owed you a duty of care, breached that duty and directly caused your injury. It is also important to note that Indiana follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you may still recover damages if you were partially at fault, given that your portion of the blame does not exceed 50 percent.

What compensation is available for burn victims?

The financial impacts of a burn injury can be devastating. Compensation in a personal injury case is designed to restore you, as much as possible, to the position you were in before the accident. These damages are generally split into economic and non-economic categories.

You may be entitled to recover compensation for:

• Medical Expenses: Including costs for emergency care, surgeries, hospital stays, medication and long-term rehabilitation.
• Lost Income: Reimbursement for wages lost while you are unable to work, as well as compensation for decreased earning capacity if you are permanently disabled.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical agony and emotional trauma endured during the injury and recovery process.
• Disfigurement: Damages awarded for permanent scarring or loss of physical function, which can significantly impact your quality of life.
• Punitive Damages: In rare cases of malicious or intentional conduct, the court may grant punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer.

Contact us for a consultation

Facing the legal system while recovering from a severe injury is incredibly challenging. Know that you do not have to face the aftermath of a burn injury alone. The Indiana personal injury lawyers at Paul Rossi Law Offices are here to provide the trusted legal counsel you need. We are committed to fighting tirelessly for the best possible outcome in your case. Contact us today for a case evaluation and learn how we can assist you in your recovery.