Scars and burns can be traumatic and long-lasting, needing multiple expensive surgeries and treatments. These treatments can total hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, you don’t have to pay it yourself—you may be able to recover insurance money to pay for all of your costs and more.
Let us connect you with a lawyer for free. Our law firm offers a FREE consultation to talk about your injuries and help you decide if you have a claim. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
Why are burns and scars different than other types of injuries?
In many ways, burns and scars are the same as any other injury. You may suffer burns if your car catches fire after an auto accident, or if you have a workplace accident, kitchen accident or house fire. Like any injury, burns require medical attention to heal properly. Scars happen as your body heals from a burn, cut or abrasion. Like many injuries, scars can be extremely painful.
Burns and scars are different, however, because they are long-lasting and affect your appearance and self-esteem. Reducing the impact of burns and scars is an ongoing quest that can mean multiple surgeries and treatments over a long period of time. Some scars and burns remain for life. Many people with burns and scars also must cope with depression and other mental health issues.
Who is “at fault” if I suffer burn and scar injuries?
In Georgia, the person who caused the accident that led to your injuries is legally “at fault” and they (or their insurance company) must pay for your costs and damages. In some cases, it is easy to tell who is at fault. For example, if you are driving through a green light and another driver runs a red and T-bones you, causing a fire, the other driver is usually at fault.
But some burns and scars occur for reasons that are not so easy to see. For example, the accident that caused your burns and scars may have been due to faulty brakes on the other car, or the fire may have happened because of a defective fuel line. Because accidents causing burns and scars can happen for many reasons, it is best to consult with an Atlanta Georgia car accident law firm.
What kinds of burn injuries are most common?
Burn injuries are classified by degrees.
- First degree burns are the most minor burn injuries. They affect only the top layer of skin and usually heal on their own within a week. A minor burn from touching a hot pan is usually a first degree burn.
- Second degree burns travel to the second layer of skin and may be extremely painful. A second degree burn causes skin to turn red and glossy and develop blisters. Second degree burns should be treated by a medical professional.
- Third degree burns are the most serious type of burns. Third degree burns cause permanent injuries because they go through all the skin and cause tissue damage. A third-degree burn can look charred and leathery. Nerve endings in the burn area may be destroyed, but the area around it can be extremely painful. Third degree burns require medical attention and may need months or years of rehabilitative treatment.
We have worked on cases involving all levels of burns, but second- and third-degree burns tend to be the most life-altering and require the largest settlements.
What should I know about scars?
Scars are a result of the body’s natural healing process, but they can be disfiguring and cause long-lasting pain, stiffness or other complications.
- Flat pale scars usually result from more minor injuries. They might itch, but are usually not painful and may go away within about two years.
- Keloid scars are raised and shiny. A keloid scar near a joint can restrict movement, and keloids can be tender. But the biggest issue with keloids is often their unsightly appearance.
- Atrophic scars look sunken and pitted. Atrophic scars are usually associated with acne.
- Hypertrophic scars have similar effects to keloid scars in that they can be unattractive, painful and restrict movement.
- Scar contractures happen often in burn victims. When the skin around an injury shrinks, the skin feels tight and movement is restricted.
Any cut or burn has the potential to create a scar, but scarring can sometimes be minimized or prevented with proper medical attention. To minimize scarring, always see a doctor if you have more than a minor cut or burn.
How much money can I collect in a scar and burn accident claim?
If you suffered burns and scars in an accident that wasn’t your fault, Georgia law allows you to recover all the costs of your injury. The exact amount will depend on your situation, but in general you may be able to recover money for:
- Medical costs, including hospitalization, plastic surgery, doctors and more
- Prescription medication
- Physical or occupational therapy or any rehabilitative therapy
- Mental health treatment for psychological issues related to the burns and scars
- Lost pay, if you missed time from work because of the accident
Many burn and scar victims are eligible for additional monetary awards for pain and suffering or for a permanent disability. Severe burns and scars are serious injuries that can last a lifetime, and we know that money can never make up for their devastating effects. However, we also know that these injuries need ongoing treatment, and money can go a long way toward helping you heal as completely as possible, while still maintaining your financial footing.
The insurance company already offered me money. How can a lawyer help me?
If you have suffered burns or injuries that could lead to significant scarring, a good rule of thumb is to NEVER take the first offer you get from the insurance company. Out of all the possible car accident injuries, the effects of burns and scars often take the most time to fully develop. Scarring in particular doesn’t happen until the body has had a chance to begin the healing process. This means that you cannot know right away how much treatment you will need or what it might cost.
Insurance companies know this, but they will come in with an offer of quick cash anyway. If you take this money, you will sign away your right to get more money later, when you find out what your injuries are really going to cost. A lawyer can make sure you get a fair deal from the insurance company. A lawyer will send you to doctors who have experience with burns and scars and can give you a good estimate of what your injuries will cost. Armed with this information, a lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company, usually getting you far more than the insurance company offered at first.
Talk to an Atlanta Burns and Scars Accident Lawyer for Free
Our law firm has built its business on helping accident victims get the money they deserve. We don’t charge you a cent unless we win money for you. Sit down with us for a FREE consultation and we will tell you if you have a claim. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
