Severe burn injuries are among the most painful and life-altering injuries a person can endure. Beyond the immediate trauma, burn survivors often face extensive medical treatments, prolonged rehabilitation, and long-term emotional challenges. For burn victims in Georgia, seeking total compensation for their injuries is essential to cover medical expenses, ongoing care, and other costs associated with recovery.
Here, our Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Ashby Thelen Lowry delve into the challenges burn survivors face, the types of compensation available, and how we can help.
Compensation for the Costs After Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are categorized into degrees—first, second, third, and fourth—with each level representing increased severity and damage to the skin and underlying tissues.
Severe burns, such as third- and fourth-degree burns, cause deep tissue damage, which often requires extensive medical intervention. Medical expenses from burn injuries can be overwhelming, especially if multiple surgeries and specialized treatments are necessary.
Compensation for burn injuries typically includes expenses beyond the initial medical treatment—surgeries, hospital stays, medications, and wound care. Many survivors face long-term rehabilitation needs that help them regain independence, adapt to life with scars or disabilities, and manage chronic pain.
These expenses may include:
- Physical Therapy: Burn injuries often result in limited mobility, stiffness, and pain, requiring extensive physical therapy to improve range of motion and functionality.
- Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy helps survivors adapt to daily tasks and activities, often with adaptive devices or prosthetics.
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Many burn survivors may not be able to return to their previous jobs, necessitating vocational training or career counseling to help them find suitable employment.
- Psychological Counseling: The emotional toll of severe burns can be immense, with survivors often experiencing PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Compensation should cover the costs of ongoing mental health support.
- Home Modifications: Home modifications—such as wheelchair ramps or grab bars—may be necessary to accommodate mobility limitations for those with permanent disabilities.
Severe burn injuries often also impact a victim’s ability to work, either temporarily or permanently. Compensation for lost income is crucial to help survivors and their families maintain financial stability.
Lost income claims typically include:
- Past Lost Wages: Compensation for lost income while the survivor could not work due to injuries.
- Reduced Earning Capacity: If the injuries limit a survivor’s ability to work in the same capacity as before, they may be entitled to compensation for the difference in earning potential.
- Retraining and Education Costs: If a survivor needs to pursue new employment due to physical limitations, compensation may cover the costs of vocational training or education.
Beyond the financial costs, burn survivors endure immense physical pain, emotional distress, and a reduced quality of life. Compensation for these non-economic damages is vital to acknowledge the profound impact of the injury.
Non-economic damages in burn injury cases may include:
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for burn injuries’ physical pain and discomfort.
- Emotional Distress: Burn survivors often experience psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Severe burns can limit a person’s ability to participate in activities they once enjoyed, affecting their overall quality of life.
- Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation may be awarded for the lasting physical scars and disfigurement that often result from burn injuries.
These damages can be challenging to quantify, but our compassionate attorneys will work to ensure they are fully considered in the compensation claim.
How Our Dedicated Atlanta Burn Injury Attorneys at Ashby Thelen Lowry Can Help
Navigating the legal process after a severe burn injury can be overwhelming, particularly when facing mounting medical bills and complex insurance negotiations. Our experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys can be an invaluable ally, providing support and expertise to maximize your compensation.
Here’s how we can help:
- Investigating the Cause of the Injury: Our attorneys can conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the burn injury, whether it resulted from a car crash, industrial site incident, defective product, or another form of negligence.
- Gathering Expert Testimony: Medical, vocational, and economic experts can testify to the extent of the injuries, the necessary medical care, and the long-term financial impact, strengthening your case.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies may attempt to minimize or deny your claim. Our skilled Atlanta personal injury lawyers can negotiate aggressively on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.
- Pursuing Litigation if Necessary: Our attorneys will take the case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
At Ashby Thelen Lowry, we understand burn injury survivors’ unique challenges. We are dedicated to helping you secure the compensation you need to cover medical bills, rehabilitation, lost income, and the pain and suffering that accompany such a traumatic experience.
Our team is here to guide you through the legal process with compassion, experience, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for you and your family.
If you or a loved one has suffered a severe burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, don’t face the journey alone. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your options, and let us help you take the steps toward recovery and justice. Severe burn injuries require comprehensive support—and we are here to help you get the compensation you deserve.