Burn Injury Attorney in Georgia

Suffering a burn injury can lead to some of the most overwhelming and debilitating pain imaginable. The consequences of a serious burn are far-reaching and dramatic, touching every aspect of an individual’s life. Burn victims often require intense and expensive medical intervention, and lifetime healthcare costs can quickly spiral into the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. These injuries may also have a severe impact on the injured individual’s capacity to work, enjoy everyday activities, and maintain a healthy sense of self-worth.

If you have suffered burn injuries in Georgia due to another party’s negligent actions, a burn injury claim can allow you to recover significant compensation for these and other losses. The experienced Georgia burn injury attorneys at Bayuk Pratt can give you the support and advocacy you need at this delicate time. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let us lead your fight for justice.

What a Georgia Burn Injury Attorney Can Do for Your Case

Attempting to handle your burn injury case without the assistance of a dedicated legal professional can lead to frustration and disappointment. Many unrepresented burn injury claimants face unfair delays and denials in their cases as insurance adjusters employ tactics to prey on their vulnerability. Insurance companies are far more invested in protecting their bottom line than in facilitating your path to compensation.

Hiring a seasoned burn injury lawyer in Georgia can send a signal to the insurer that they need to take your case seriously. The lawyers at Bayuk Pratt have a unique insight into how to handle insurance companies, as our founders used to work for the most elite defense law firms in the world. We became experts at finding ways to help high-powered clients avoid liability, and we can use our inside knowledge to develop a tailored strategy to secure the burn injury compensation you deserve. We have more than 50 years of combined legal experience and have recovered over $300 million for our clients.

We will use our unique skills and knowledge as we:

What Compensation Can I Get for My Burn Injury?

Burn injuries can lead to devastating losses in all areas of a victim’s life. While the compensation you receive from a successful claim will depend on your unique circumstances, an effective Georgia burn injury lawyer can help you recover damages for losses such as:

• Medical Expenses – Burn injuries often entail a significant expenditure for medical treatments. Your claim can help you recover compensation for emergency treatments, surgical procedures, and all ongoing rehabilitation and assistance requirements.
• Lost Income – Burn victims are often forced to take lengthy periods off work as they recover, and the resulting loss of income can lead to significant financial jeopardy.
• Reduced Earning Potential – If an individual with a burn injury can return to work, but only in a capacity that allows them to earn less than before, they can receive compensation for the difference in income over the remainder of their professional lifetime.
• Pain and Suffering – Although challenging to quantify, a skilled lawyer can help those with burn injuries recover financial compensation for the unimaginable physical pain and psychological suffering they have endured.
• Disability and Disfigurement – Severe burns can often leave victims with permanent physical limitations and significant scars, forever changing their relationships with their bodies and the world around them.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life – When burn injuries prevent someone from enjoying the activities they used to love, they are entitled to recover compensation for this tragic loss.

If the burns resulted from a willful, malicious, or particularly egregious act of negligence, the court may also award punitive damages. An experienced Georgia burn injury attorney can help you understand how much your case might be worth.

Who Is Liable for a Burn Injury in Georgia?

Determining liability for a burn injury in Georgia depends on the incident’s specific circumstances. In many cases, the party whose negligence led to the burn-causing event will be held responsible. This could be a property owner who failed to address a dangerous condition, a product manufacturer who released a defective item, or a motorist who caused an accident resulting in a fire or explosion.

Employers may be liable for burn injuries that occur due to inadequate safety protocols or training in the workplace. In some situations, such as a house fire caused by a negligent landlord, multiple parties could share liability. A skilled Georgia burn injury attorney can thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your case to identify all potentially liable parties as we pursue the maximum compensation available.

What Are the Medical Costs for Burn Victims?

The medical costs associated with burn injuries can be astronomical, often reaching hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars over a victim’s lifetime. Emergency treatment for severe burns frequently involves expensive procedures such as skin grafts and surgical debridement. Once a burn victim is stabilized, they may require extensive rehabilitation, physical therapy, and ongoing medical interventions to regain function and cope with permanent disfigurement. Severe burns can damage nerves, leading to chronic pain that requires costly medication to manage.

Many burn injury survivors also need mental health treatment to process the trauma of their experience. In the most serious cases, a burn victim may need multiple surgeries, home modifications for accessibility, and around-the-clock personal care assistance. A knowledgeable burn injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation for the full scope of your past, present, and future medical expenses.

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

Georgia’s personal injury statute of limitations sets a general two-year deadline for burn injury lawsuits. In most cases, if you do not initiate legal action before the two-year limitations period expires, the court will not permit you to seek the compensation you deserve. However, some exceptions apply. Speak to a knowledgeable Georgia personal injury attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing the relevant deadline.

What Are the Common Causes of Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries can occur in a wide variety of contexts, but some of the most common causes include:

• Fire and smoke inhalation from accidents, explosions, or inadequate fire safety measures
• Scalding from hot liquids or steam, often in the workplace or due to defective products
• Chemical burns from harsh substances like acids, solvents, or detergents
• Electrical burns from faulty wiring, exposed power lines, or malfunctioning appliances
• Radiation burns from prolonged exposure to UV rays or medical radiation

Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of catastrophic burn injuries, as collisions can rupture fuel tanks and spark devastating fires. Defective products, such as faulty cooking appliances or improperly labeled chemicals, are also frequent culprits. In any situation where another party’s negligence leads to burn injuries, victims have the right to seek compensation with the help of a skilled Georgia burn injury attorney.

What Are the Types and Degrees of Burns?

Burns are classified by their depth and severity, with each degree indicating a more severe level of damage:

• First-Degree Burns – These superficial burns affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis), causing redness, swelling, and minor pain. They typically heal within a week without scarring.
• Second-Degree Burns – Extending into the lower layer of skin (dermis), these burns cause blistering, severe pain, and potential scarring. They often require medical attention and may take weeks to heal. Second-degree burns are further classified as partial thickness or full thickness, depending on the depth of the damage.
• Third-Degree Burns – The most severe type, these burns destroy both the epidermis and dermis, potentially damaging subcutaneous tissues, muscles, tendons, and bones. The burned area may appear charred, white, or leathery, with no sensation due to nerve damage. Third-degree burns require extensive medical intervention, including skin grafts and reconstructive surgery, and can lead to life-threatening complications such as infections and organ failure.

Burn injuries can cause immense physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial hardship. A knowledgeable burn injury lawyer can help you pursue compensation appropriate for the severity of your burns and their impact on your life.