Burns are painful. You have probably experienced a minor burn at some point in your life, whether it happened while you were cooking, ironing, or relaxing on the beach. These types of burns often have only minor effects, but some heat-related accidents can cause significant harm. Along with initial pain and blistering, the consequences of a severe burn could include permanent scarring, disfigurement, infection, or even death.
Unfortunately, these types of accidents often leave their victims in pain, facing rising expenses, and under the overwhelming stress of not knowing what to do next.
Whether your burn was the result of a large fire, chemical exposure, or another type of incident, the cost of medical care and rehabilitation can be overwhelming. If you or a loved one were harmed due to someone else’s negligence, there can be serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences on your life.
If you are uncertain whether you have a valid legal claim arising from the accident or if you are at a loss with how to proceed, our Tampa burn injury lawyer can help. We can help you identify the responsible parties and give you the advice and counsel you need to move forward.
What Are the Different Types and Classifications of Burns?
Any exposure to the following can result in a burn injury:
- Hot Surfaces
- Radiation
- Chemicals
- Electrical currents
From steaming-hot liquids to fires, thermal burns may be the most common. However, radiation burns resulting from overexposure to ultraviolet rays or chemical burns caused by contact with harsh substances can also have significant consequences.
There is a classification system for burns used to demonstrate the severity of the injury. You are likely familiar with first-degree burns, which only affect the top layer of the skin, but second- and third-degree burns are much more dangerous.
Second-degree go deeper into the skin and often cause blisters or swelling. Third-degree burns extend to the fat beneath the skin layers, These types of injuries may cause nerve damage. Fourth-Degree Burns are the most serious, with damage to the skin, muscle, and bone. If you have suffered a burn injury at work, in a car crash, or any other accident, consult with a local attorney to find out if you could pursue a settlement or legal claim against the responsible parties.
What Legal Claims and Settlements Are Available to Tampa Burn Victims?
If your burn accident was caused by another person’s reckless or careless behavior, you could file a legal claim for monetary damages. Under the 2019 Florida Statutes § 95.11(3)(a), the deadline for filing a legal claim for a negligently or intentionally caused injury is four years from the date of the accident. Although, if you discovered your injuries at a later date, there may be some exceptions to that deadline.
If you are considering filing a lawsuit, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible. The legal system can be complex, but a lawyer could help you understand the process of pursuing a case. It is important to note that litigating a case can take a lot of time and money, so you may opt to pursue a settlement instead.
A settlement can be negotiated out of court with your attorney and the insurance company of the at-fault party. After notifying the opposing party of the complaint, the insurance company has 60 days to send an initial settlement offer. Once you receive that offer, you have 45 days to accept it and dismiss the claim or send a counteroffer. If you have any questions about legal procedures, litigation costs, or possible outcomes of your burn injury case, discuss your concerns with an experienced lawyer.
Talk to a Knowledgeable Burn Attorney about Your Case
A burn injury can have serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences on your life and you may be uncertain whether you have a valid legal claim arising from the accident. You may be at a loss with how to proceed. Our Tampa burn injury lawyer can help! We can give you the advice and counsel you need to move forward.
Click the button below for a free consultation so that you can focus on getting better while we take care of everything else.