Comprehensive Legal Care for Burn Injury Victims in Atlanta, Georgia

According to the American Burn Association, there were over 650,000 burn injuries reported in the United States last year which required medical attention.  Of these injuries, approximately 43% were from a fire injury, 33% from a scald injury, 9% from a hot object injury, 4% from electrical injury, and 3% from a chemical burn injury.  A different report from the CDC states that about 1.1 million burn injuries require attention every year in the United States. Of that 1.1 million, up to 10,000 end up dying due to burn-related infections.

At Ponton Law, our Atlanta burn injury attorney is an aggressive, justice-focused advocate for injured victims and their families. We know how to hold negligent defendants and big insurance companies accountable for burn injuries. If you or your loved one suffered a serious burn, we are more than ready to help. To set up a free, no-obligation consultation with a top-rated burn injury lawyer in Georgia, please do not hesitate to contact us at our Atlanta law office today. 

Understanding the Different Degrees of Burn Injuries 

It is clear that burns can severely injure people and should be taken seriously. Burn Injuries are generally classified into three categories:

• First-degree burns only involve the outer layer of skin, the epidermis. These burns may cause redness, swelling, and pain.  Healing generally occurs within 3-5 days.
• Second-degree burns involve the entire epidermis and upper layers of the dermis, which is the middle layer between the epidermis and fat. Wounds will be pink, red in color, and appear wet.
• Third-degree burns involve all layers of the skin and underlying fat. Muscle and even bone may be affected. Burned areas may be charred black or white.

These burns can be extraordinarily painful and can lead to infection, complications, disability, and in some cases, death. The most common complications from a burn injury include cellulitis, pneumonia, respiratory failure, wound infection, septicemia, arrhythmia, and bacteremia.

Burn Injury Treatments: Immediate Medical Attention is a Must 

Burn injuries are a type of trauma that can range from minor to severe and can be caused by various sources such as heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. It is essential to seek immediate medical attention for burn injuries, as they can cause significant damage to the skin and underlying tissues. The proper treatment for a burn injury will depend on many factors, including the cause, depth, and location of the burn. Make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible. For the worst burns, skin grafts and even surgery may be required. 

What are the Most Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Georgia?

Burn injuries can happen in a wide range of different ways. Some of the most common causes of burn injuries in Georgia include: 

• Fire (flames); 
• Scalding; 
• Contact with hot objects;
• Electricity; and
• Chemicals. 

These burns can occur in many types of accidents, including motor vehicle collisions, dangerous conditions on the property, and defective products.

Burn-Caused Cellulitis, Septicemia, Arrhythmia, and Bacteremia

Cellulitis occurs when an opening in the skin allows bacteria to enter the body. Many things can signal the presence of cellulitis such as: red skin, swelling, warmth, and blisters. If not treated properly, cellulitis can become a life-threatening infection.

Septicemia, also known more commonly as sepsis, can occur from burn injuries because the skin has been damaged and is usually the first layer of protection against bacteria entering the body. Preventing sepsis from your burn injuries is crucial and can be done with closing the burn and if needed, surgical procedures.

Arrhythmia is defined as an irregular heartbeat and is a very common condition in the United States. According to NCBI, was found in 34% of burn patients and 28% of trauma patients.

Bacteremia is simply referred to when bacteria is present in the bloodstream. Similar to septicemia and cellulitis, if left untreated, bacteremia can spread through the body and could be fatal or seriously live altering.

Burns Resulting From Negligence

When these injuries are the result of negligence, our experienced Atlanta burns injury lawyer will work tirelessly to achieve the compensation you deserve.  Sometimes, determining who is responsible for a person’s burn injuries is difficult. Ponton Law will ensure a detailed investigation takes place.  For example, in a car accident, burns may not necessarily be entirely the fault of the party that caused the accident.  The manufacturer of the victim’s automobile, or one of its parts, could be equally or fully liable for placing a defective product on the market. Burn injuries may be caused by chemicals or by fire.  Fires can start because of any number of hazards including faulty or defective wiring in an apartment, condominium, home, or commercial building, from defective propane tanks, downed power lines, or arson.  We make sure that we explore all potential sources to maximize your recovery.

Understanding Comparative Fault and Burn Injury Claims

Burn injury claims are negligence claims. As Georgia is a comparative fault jurisdiction (O.C.G.A. § 51-11-7), the precise degree of fault matters. The comparative fault could have a huge impact on your claim. You can still recover compensation even if you are found partially to blame for your own burn injury. That being said, your financial recovery will be reduced proportionally to your assigned level of fault. As an example, imagine that you were burned because of dangerous conditions on the premises of a business. In total, you sustained $40,000 in damages. If you are found 25 percent at fault for your own burn injury, you would be liable for 25 percent of your own damages—or $10,000. Protect yourself from unjust liability: consult with an experienced Atlanta burn lawyer. 

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Burn Injury Claim in Georgia?

If you sustained a serious burn injury caused by the negligence of another party, it is imperative that you get access to the full and proper financial compensation that you need to pay your bills. At Ponton Law, our Atlanta burn injury attorney goes above and beyond to help injured victims maximize their personal injury settlement or verdict.

Damages arising from burn injuries include:

• Medical expenses (past and future);
• Lost income;
• Pain and suffering;
• Scarring and disfigurement;
• Disability or physical impairment;
• Loss of ability to enjoy life; and
• Among other elements of damage under Georgia law.

Get the Compensation You Deserve

If you or someone you know has been injured or killed as a result of a burn injury, contact an Atlanta burn injury lawyer at Ponton Law or call (404) 418-8507 to speak with an attorney today. We offer free, no-obligation consultation to injured victims. With an office in Atlanta, we handle burn injury claims throughout the region, including in Fulton, Cobb, and DeKalb counties.