You would need an attorney after suffering severe burns and building your claim. You also need to act quickly.
Health Risks and Injuries Associated With Burns
Most injuries heal and fade, but burns linger. Many survivors report permanent scarring, sensitive nerve damage, and even reconstructive surgeries. And that’s on top of the medical bills and missed paychecks.
Major injuries set burn cases apart. The medical treatment doesn’t end when the patient leaves the hospital. Physical therapy, skin grafts, and mental health support often last for years. An initial claim misses most of the injury’s full cost.
These are the most common types of burn injury.
- Thermal burns from fire, steam, hot liquids, or contact with hot surfaces
- Chemical burns from industrial chemicals, cleaning products, or workplace exposure
- Electrical burns from faulty wiring or exposed electrical equipment
- Scalding burns from defective water heaters or unsafe restaurant conditions
- Friction and radiation burns
The severity of a burn injury ranges from first-degree to fourth-degree. Burn severity depends on the depth, size, and location of the victim. Our burn injury lawyers in Birmingham have experience building cases around each degree of burn.
- First degree (superficial): Skin is red and painful, but without blisters. Heals in roughly 5 days without scarring.
- Second degree (partial thickness): Skin suffers from blisters, swelling, and pain. May heal in 2 weeks, but a deeper burn could scar.
- Third degree (full thickness): Skin becomes white, charred, or leathery. May be numb. Potentially needs medical care, including skin grafts.
- Fourth degree: The burn extends to bone or muscle and requires emergency care.
Determining if You’re Eligible for a Burn Injury Case
Not every burn leads to a lawsuit, but more situations qualify than folks realize. The question isn’t whether your injury is serious. Rather, you need help proving that someone’s negligence hurt you.
If you’ve experienced any of the following situations, you may need a burn injury attorney.
- Apartment or rental property fires caused by faulty wiring, missing smoke detectors, or landlord neglect
- Workplace burns from unsafe equipment, inadequate training, or missing protective gear
- Car accidents involving fire, fuel leaks, or airbag burns
- Defective products, like pressure cookers, lithium-ion batteries, and vehicles that catch fire
- Restaurant and hospitality injuries, including scalding hot drinks, grease burns, or unsafe kitchen conditions for staff
- Electrical accidents caused by a utility company’s negligence or improperly maintained equipment
- Industrial and construction site burns involving chemicals, explosions, or electrical hazards
You may still be uncertain if you have a personal injury case. Contact our Birmingham team for a free case review.
Why Acting Quickly is Critical in Burn Injury Lawsuits
Burn cases get complicated fast, and insurance companies know it. But pushy insurance companies are just the beginning. You need an attorney to act quickly in a burn injury case, because wounds may be major and the law is hard to navigate.
First, some burn injuries develop over time. Many patients don’t know they’ll need reconstructive surgery until months later. By pushing for an early settlement, insurance companies bet that the patient doesn’t understand the full treatment costs.
Also, Alabama’s fault rules may not work in your favor. Alabama is one of the few states that still uses pure contributory negligence. If the other side can show you were even 1% at fault for what happened, you may not recover anything at all. That’s why an attorney is your best advocate.
Burn injury damages are hard to calculate. These damages aren’t line items that an adjuster can add in an afternoon. They require medical experts, vocational specialists, and life care planners to estimate the true costs.
Read more about what a serious injury law firm does when a case requires this kind of deep preparation.
What You May Recover in a Birmingham Burn Injury Case
A strong claim accounts for every way the injury has changed your life. A claim goes beyond the bills sitting on the table.
- Medical costs, including emergency treatment, surgeries, skin grafts, infection management, and follow-up care. Your claim should cover future reconstructive procedures.
- Lost income and earning capacity, especially if you lost the ability to work.
- Mental health costs, because burns often cause post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety.
- Loss of quality of life, like activities you no longer can enjoy.
- Compensation for pain and suffering. Alabama law allows you to recover non-economic damages, including the ongoing impact of scarring and disfigurement.
Unfortunately, some victims don’t survive their burns. Depending on the circumstances of your loved one’s death, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
Common Questions About Hiring a Birmingham Burn Injury Attorney
What does a Birmingham burn injury attorney do?
A Birmingham burn injury attorney investigates how the burn occurred. They often work with medical experts to document the full cost of your injury, including future treatment. Ultimately, they’re your advocate from the first phone call to the final decision.
How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in Alabama?
Alabama usually grants survivors or their families just two years from the date of the injury. If a government entity is involved, the statute of limitations may be shorter. Talk to an attorney as soon as possible to not miss a crucial date.
What if the burn happened at work?
You may have a workers’ compensation claim. But if a third party contributed to the accident, you may also have a separate personal injury claim. We’ve handled claims built around a defective piece of equipment, a contractor’s mistake, or a chemical manufacturer’s negligence.
Can I sue a company if their defective product caused my burn?
Yes. Product liability cases may be filed against the manufacturer, the distributor, or the retailer. Product liability is a separate category from a standard injury claim. Meet with an attorney to learn more about your legal options.
How much does it cost to hire a Birmingham burn injury lawyer?
At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, you pay nothing up front. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. You only pay us if we win a settlement or verdict in your favor.
Trust Our Birmingham Personal Injury Attorneys With Your Case
A serious burn does more than change your body. A burn affects how you work, how you sleep, and how you see yourself. Unfortunately, these changes may be permanent.
At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we’ve spent more than 20 years fighting for injured folks like you. Our award-winning team has recovered over $2 billion for clients nationwide. If someone’s negligence has hurt you, you should book a free consultation. We have the skills and resources to fight for the compensation you deserve.
