Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney » Burn Injury Lawyer
Burns are among the most painful and life-altering injuries a person can suffer. If you or a loved one sustained a severe burn injury in Atlanta due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disfigurement. The Atlanta burn injury lawyers at Butler Kahn help people and families pursue justice after devastating burns caused by fires, explosions, chemical exposure, electrical accidents, and defective products.
The Atlanta burn injury lawyers at Butler Kahn understand how devastating it can be to suffer a burn injury due to someone else’s carelessness or recklessness. We take each client’s burn injury lawsuit personally. We believe the people of Atlanta deserve the dedicated work, personalized service, and compassionate care that can make a difference. Contact us at (678) 940-1444 for a free consultation.
What’s on This Page
- Why Choose Butler Kahn for Burn Injury Cases
- How Can a Burn Injury Attorney Help Me?
- Types and Degrees of Burn Injuries
- Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Atlanta
- Compensation for Burn Injuries
- What Type of Lawsuit Can Burn Victims File?
- How Georgia Law Applies to Burn Injury Cases
- Steps to Take After a Burn Injury in Atlanta
- Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries
- Atlanta Burn Injury Service Areas
- Talk to Our Atlanta Burn Injury Lawyers
Why Choose Butler Kahn for Burn Injury Cases
Burn injuries change lives. When you or a loved one is injured, you deserve an honest, hard-working, experienced burn injury lawyer in Atlanta who will take the stress of seeking proper compensation for a burn injury off of you. Butler Kahn takes fewer cases on purpose so we can devote deeper attention to each client’s situation.
We are ready to talk with you about your situation during a free consultation whenever you want to reach out to us. We offer a free consultation to burn injury victims. You can reach us by phone at (678) 940-1444 or by filling out our online contact form.
What Sets Butler Kahn Apart
- Serious injury focus – We handle catastrophic burn cases, not minor claims
- Trial-ready approach – We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial
- Proven results – Major verdicts and settlements in complex injury cases
- Personalized attention – Fewer cases means more time devoted to you
- Local Atlanta office – Conveniently located at 10 Lenox Pointe
Client Story: Personal Injuries in a Car Accident
How Can a Burn Injury Attorney Help Me?
When people suffer catastrophic burn injuries, they often assume that insurance will cover the cost of medical treatment and other losses they experience. But the reality might be very different. Those responsible for your injuries could deny responsibility, their insurers might refuse coverage, and you could be facing unexpected expenses – all while dealing with a painful and potentially lasting injury.
Our Atlanta burn injury attorneys can help you with every part of your case and keep the focus on what’s best for you. We deal with injury cases every day, and we know how to protect your rights. Burn injuries often result in extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation. These injuries frequently lead to permanent scarring that can affect your ability to work and your quality of life. An experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer understands how to value these complex damages.
Our burn injury attorneys can help you by:
- Explaining your rights and options for compensation
- Connecting you with the resources you need for your burn injuries
- Handling discussions with insurance companies
- Taking care of the paperwork a burn injury claim requires
- Building a case for the economic damages and non-economic damages you deserve
- Negotiating from a position of strength with insurance companies
- Preparing a burn injury lawsuit and taking your case to court if a settlement is impossible
Types and Degrees of Burn Injuries
Many different types of accidents could cause severe burn injuries. While some people might think that burns only happen from exposure to fire, quite a few other causes can lead to burn injuries. Understanding the type and severity of your burn is important for determining the appropriate medical treatment and calculating the full value of your claim.
Types of burn injuries include:
- Thermal burns – Caused by contact with flames, hot liquids, steam, or hot surfaces
- Chemical burns – Result from exposure to acids, alkalis, solvents, or other corrosive substances
- Electrical burns – Occur when electrical current passes through the body
- Friction burns – Often seen in motorcycle accidents and commonly called “road rash”
- Radiation burns – Caused by exposure to ultraviolet light, X-rays, or radiation therapy
According to the National Institutes of Health, burns come in several degrees of severity. These range from first-degree burns to sixth-degree burns. Each degree of burn comes with its own challenges and its own treatments. What are the differences between them? The answer is that the more severe the burn, the more it affects the skin and deeper tissues.
Burn Severity Classifications
- First-degree burns – These types of burns affect the outermost layer of the skin. They can cause the skin to become red and can result in significant pain. Sunburns are a common example.
- Second-degree burns – This category of burns is more severe and may penetrate more deeply. Second-degree burns can affect multiple layers of skin and can result in blistering and scarring. They are often extremely painful.
- Third-degree burns – Third-degree burns are severe burns that may affect all layers of skin. Like other higher-degree burns, these injuries can result in permanent nerve damage and require skin graft surgery. Victims may experience numbness because nerve endings are destroyed.
- Fourth-degree burns – These serious burns can be life-threatening and may extend into the fat layers beneath the skin. Extensive surgical treatment is typically required.
- Fifth-degree burns – Like fourth-degree burns, these major burns can endanger the victim’s life. When burns extend into the muscle, they are considered a fifth-degree burn. Amputation may be necessary.
- Sixth-degree burns – Sixth-degree burns are life-threatening and could extend to the bone. These catastrophic injuries often result in permanent disability or death.
Serious burn injuries often cause secondary complications, including infections, sepsis, respiratory problems from smoke inhalation, and psychological trauma. Burn victims may also develop conditions like traumatic brain injuries from associated accidents or oxygen deprivation.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Atlanta
There are many possible causes for a serious burn injury, ranging from contact with fire or steam to exposure to chemicals or radiation. Many burn injuries in the Atlanta area occur in preventable accidents caused by negligence.
Some top causes of burn injuries include:
- Exposure to fire at home, on the road, or at dangerous properties
- Contact with hot liquid or steam in restaurants, workplaces, or homes
- Chemical exposure from cleaning agents or toxic industrial materials
- Radiation from medical imaging equipment or industrial sources
- Exposure to heat or fire from defective products, including vehicles with fuel system defects
- Electrical burn injuries in the workplace or from faulty wiring
- Vehicle fires following car accidents or truck crashes
- Explosions from gas leaks, industrial accidents, or defective products
Some burn injuries in Atlanta result from premises liability situations where property owners failed to maintain safe conditions. Others involve defective products that catch fire or explode. In cases involving vehicles, Jeep fires and explosions have been a particular concern due to rear-mounted fuel tank designs in certain models.
Jeep Fire & Wrongful Death Case
Compensation for Burn Injuries
If you suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to significant compensation under Georgia law. The types and amount of compensation you could seek will depend on the facts and circumstances of your situation.
For example, suppose you suffer a burn injury in a motor vehicle accident caused by another driver’s careless actions. In that case, you might be entitled to different compensation than for an accident at work. That is because your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance company will typically provide limited benefits for injuries sustained while on the job.
If you were injured at work, you could be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for:
- Two-thirds of your average weekly earnings, up to a capped maximum
- Coverage of medical expenses, including the cost of medical equipment
- Compensation for disabilities
If you suffered severe burn injuries outside of work – or if a non-employer third party was liable for your workplace injury – you may be able to seek other types of compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. An Atlanta burn injury lawyer can help determine which options apply to your situation.
You could obtain compensation for your burn injuries for:
- Medical bills – Emergency care, surgeries, skin grafts, hospital stays
- Rehabilitation expenses – Physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling
- Future medical costs – Ongoing treatment, revision surgeries, compression garments
- Lost wages – Income lost during recovery
- Diminished earning capacity – Reduced ability to work due to permanent injuries
- Physical pain and psychological suffering
- Disfigurement and permanent scarring
- Mental anguish – Anxiety, depression, PTSD from the injury
- Diminished quality of life
- Punitive damages in exceptional cases – When the defendant’s conduct was especially reckless
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were less than 50% responsible. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Understanding how insurance applies to your situation is critical for maximizing your recovery.
What Type of Lawsuit Can Burn Victims File?
The type of personal injury claim a burn injury victim needs to file will depend on how the burn happened. Georgia law recognizes several legal theories that may apply to burn injury cases.
For example, if someone is burned on a business’s property due to unsafe conditions, they would file a premises liability lawsuit. This could include burns from fires caused by faulty wiring, gas leaks, or other hazardous conditions the property owner knew about or should have discovered.
If they were injured by a defective product that started a fire or exploded, they could pursue a product liability lawsuit. This includes cases involving defective appliances, vehicles with fuel system defects, faulty electrical equipment, and dangerous chemical products.
If they were burned in a car accident, they would file a car accident lawsuit against the other driver or another at-fault party. Vehicle fires sometimes occur after collisions, particularly in rear-end crashes that rupture fuel tanks.
Other types of burn injury lawsuits include:
- Workplace injury claims – When employer negligence or third-party actions cause burns
- Medical malpractice – Burns from surgical equipment, radiation treatment errors
- Wrongful death claims – When a family member dies from burn injuries
- Nursing home abuse – Burns caused by negligent care of elderly residents
If your burn injury resulted in the death of a loved one, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to seek compensation for your family’s losses. If you have questions about what type of burn injury case you are eligible to file, our experienced Atlanta burn injury lawyers are prepared to review your case and inform you of your rights and legal options at no cost to you.
How Georgia Law Applies to Burn Injury Cases
Understanding Georgia’s legal framework is essential for pursuing a burn injury claim. Several key laws and deadlines affect your rights.
Statute of Limitations
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you generally have two years from the date of your burn injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia. If you miss this deadline, you typically lose your right to sue. However, some exceptions may extend this period, such as cases involving minors or situations where the injury was not immediately discoverable.
Proving Negligence in Burn Injury Cases
To recover compensation, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused your burn injury. This requires showing:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- The defendant breached that duty
- The breach caused your burn injury
- You suffered actual damages as a result
Comparative Negligence
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. If you are found partially at fault for your burn injury, your compensation will be reduced proportionally. If you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.
Steps to Take After a Burn Injury in Atlanta
If you have suffered a burn injury, taking the right steps can protect both your health and your legal rights.
- Seek immediate medical attention – Burns require prompt treatment to minimize damage and prevent infection. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
- Document the scene and your injuries – Take photographs of where the burn occurred and your injuries. Preserve any evidence of what caused the burn.
- Report the incident – File a report with the appropriate authorities (police, fire department, employer, or property owner).
- Keep records of all expenses – Save medical bills, receipts for medications and supplies, and documentation of missed work.
- Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies – Insurers may try to minimize your claim or use your words against you.
- Contact an Atlanta burn injury lawyer – An experienced attorney can protect your rights and help you pursue full compensation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries in Atlanta
How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in Georgia?
You generally have two years from the date of your burn injury to file a lawsuit under Georgia’s statute of limitations. However, some circumstances may affect this deadline. Contacting an Atlanta burn injury lawyer promptly helps ensure you don’t miss important deadlines.
What compensation can I receive for burn injuries?
Burn injury victims may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent scarring and disfigurement, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. Severe burns involving extensive medical treatment and permanent disability typically result in higher compensation.
Do I have a case if I don’t feel hurt right away?
Yes, you may still have a valid claim. Some burn-related complications, such as infections or nerve damage, may not be immediately apparent. Additionally, the full extent of scarring often isn’t known until after initial healing. Seeking medical attention promptly creates documentation of your injury.
Should I talk to the insurance adjuster after a burn injury?
We recommend consulting with an Atlanta burn injury attorney before giving any recorded statements to insurance companies. Adjusters are trained to minimize claims, and your statements could be used against you. Your lawyer can handle communications to protect your interests.
How much does it cost to hire Butler Kahn for a burn injury case?
We handle burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This allows burn victims to access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
Can I sue if I was burned at work?
Workplace burn injuries are typically covered by workers’ compensation insurance. However, if a third party (not your employer) caused your injury, or if your employer’s conduct was willfully negligent, you may have additional legal options. A Georgia work injury lawyer can evaluate your situation.
What if a defective product caused my burn injury?
You may have a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or seller of the defective product. Common examples include appliances that overheat, vehicles with fuel system defects, and chemical products with inadequate warnings.
How long does a burn injury lawsuit take?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve within months, while others may take a year or longer. Your attorney can provide a more specific estimate based on your situation.
What if I was partially at fault for my burn injury?
Georgia’s comparative negligence law allows you to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were less than 50% responsible. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Can family members sue if someone dies from burn injuries?
Yes. Georgia law allows surviving family members to file a wrongful death lawsuit when a loved one dies due to another party’s negligence. The deceased person’s spouse, children, or parents may be eligible to file a claim.
What evidence is important in a burn injury case?
Key evidence includes photographs of the scene and injuries, medical records documenting your treatment, witness statements, incident reports, and any physical evidence related to the cause of the burn. Expert testimony from medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists may also be valuable.
Will my burn injury case go to trial?
Most burn injury cases settle before trial. However, we prepare every case as if it’s going to trial because insurance companies know which lawyers are willing to fight in court. This trial-ready approach often results in better settlement offers.
Can I recover damages for scarring and disfigurement?
Yes. Georgia law allows burn victims to recover compensation for permanent scarring and disfigurement. The amount depends on the visibility and extent of the scarring, its impact on your daily life and employment, and other factors.
What if I can’t afford medical treatment for my burns?
Several options may be available, including treatment on a lien basis (where providers agree to wait for payment until your case resolves), letters of protection from your attorney, or health insurance coverage. We can discuss resources available to help you get the treatment you need.
Atlanta Burn Injury Service Areas
Butler Kahn represents burn injury victims throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area. Our Atlanta office at 10 Lenox Pointe serves clients in:
Atlanta Neighborhoods
- Buckhead
- Midtown Atlanta
- Downtown Atlanta
- Brookhaven
- Druid Hills
- Chastain Park
- Garden Hills
- Piedmont Heights
- Grove Park
- Inman Park
- South Atlanta
- East Atlanta Village
- West End
- Atlantic Station
- Virginia-Highland
- Old Fourth Ward
- Grant Park
- Decatur
Metro Atlanta Counties
- Fulton County
- DeKalb County
- Cobb County
- Gwinnett County
- Clayton County
We also have offices in Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, and Roswell to serve clients throughout Georgia.
Talk to Our Atlanta Burn Injury Lawyers for Free
If you’ve suffered a burn injury through no fault of your own, contact Butler Kahn to discuss your situation whenever you are ready for legal advice. We only take a small number of personal injury claims so that we can devote our full attention to you.
We are real lawyers handling real cases. We’re ready to stand up and fight for you.
Butler Kahn – Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers
10 Lenox Pointe
Atlanta, GA 30324
Phone: (678) 940-1444
Contact Butler Kahn by calling (678) 940-1444 or contacting us online for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win your case.
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Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Jonesboro, GA 30236