If you have been injured in a fire or other accident resulting in extensive burns, then don’t hesitate to contact a Norwalk burn injury lawyer for information on whether you might qualify for compensation. The individual or company responsible for causing your injury can and should be held accountable for the harm it has caused. A personal injury attorney may be able to help you obtain compensation for both past and future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering – depending on the severity of your burns.
Burn Injury Causes
While most burn injuries take place at home, others happen elsewhere such as at one’s place of employment or along a highway or street. And although the majority of burns are caused by exposure to flame or heat, many are also caused by chemicals, caustic substances, electricity, scalding liquids, steam – even the sun.
Burn injuries generally stem from one of the following scenarios:
- Car, motorcycle, or truck accident
- Home or building structural fire
- Electrical fire
- Chemical spill
- Gas line explosion
- Arson
- Defective consumer product
- Hot liquid
A Norwalk burn injury attorney could potentially file a claim for damages on behalf of a client under the theories of premises liability, product liability, or negligence. They could also file a claim for wrongful death under C.G.S. § 52-555 in the event the client is the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased burn victim.
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Burn Injury Degrees
Burn injuries fall into one of four categories depending on their severity, and can range from relatively minor to life-threatening.
First-Degree Burns
This type of burn only affects the outermost layer of skin – called the epidermis – and may cause only minor redness and pain.
Second-Degree Burns
A second-degree burn affects both the epidermis and the layer of skin (dermis) directly underneath it. It can produce blisters, swelling, and severe pain. Anyone with a second-degree burn is encouraged to contact a Norwalk burn injury legal professional for information on their legal options.
Third-Degree Burns
Burns of this severity are often characterized by nerve damage and a leathery appearance. They are frequently caused by severe fires that inflict long-term scarring and disfigurement.
Fourth-Degree Burns
A burn of the fourth degree is potentially life-threatening. If not only affects the skin and underlying tissue, but also possibly muscle and bone. Nerve endings are destroyed and there will likely be permanent damage to the affected area of the body.
Even a relatively minor burn injury can require medical treatment costing a surprisingly large amount of money. A more severe burn may lead to additional expenses and losses, such as loss of income, loss of earning capacity, amputation, permanent disfigurement, and lasting pain and suffering. A Norwalk burn injury attorney could help a burn victim pursue the compensation they are entitled to under state law.
The deadline to file in Connecticut
Connecticut law generally gives you two years from the date the injury is sustained or discovered to bring a claim, and in most cases no more than three years from the act or omission complained of, even if the injury is discovered later. That deadline comes from Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-584.
How shared fault affects your claim
Connecticut follows modified comparative fault under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 52-572h: when the victim and the defendant share fault, the court reduces recoverable compensation by the victim's percentage of fault, and a victim whose share of fault is more than 50 percent may not recover at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What compensation might be available for a burn injury?
A personal injury attorney may be able to help a burn victim obtain compensation for both past and future medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering—depending on the severity of the burns. More severe burns may also lead to additional expenses and losses such as loss of income, loss of earning capacity, amputation, permanent disfigurement, and lasting pain and suffering.
What are common causes of burn injuries?
Burn injuries can be caused by exposure to flame or heat, chemicals or caustic substances, electricity, scalding liquids, steam, and even the sun. Scenarios listed include car, motorcycle, or truck accidents; home or building structural fires; electrical fires; chemical spills; gas line explosions; arson; defective consumer products; and hot liquids.
What legal claims can a Norwalk burn injury attorney file?
A Norwalk burn injury attorney could potentially file a claim for damages under the theories of premises liability, product liability, or negligence. They could also file a claim for wrongful death under C.G.S. § 52-555 if the client is the executor or administrator of the estate of a deceased burn victim.
What are the different degrees of burn injuries?
Burn injuries fall into one of four categories. First-degree burns affect only the epidermis and may cause minor redness and pain. Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and the dermis underneath and can produce blisters, swelling, and severe pain. Third-degree burns are often characterized by nerve damage and a leathery appearance, and are frequently caused by severe fires that inflict long-term scarring and disfigurement. Fourth-degree burns are potentially life-threatening and can affect skin and underlying tissue, and possibly muscle and bone; nerve endings are destroyed and there will likely be permanent damage.
Contact a Norwalk Burn Injury Attorney for More Information
Determining fault in a burn injury case is not always easy, which is why you should contact a Norwalk burn injury lawyer if either you or a loved one has been hurt in such an accident. A tough, legitimate, and credible attorney who uses aggressive tactics could evaluate your case and explain how to initiate the claim process.
