Clayton Burn Injury Lawyer
Over 1.1 million burn injuries require medical attention each year. These burn injuries can be thermal burns from contact with hot liquids, flames or hot sources, as well as electrical and chemical burns.
When a burn injury is severe, it may require lifelong medical care, resulting in medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. If you were in an accident that caused a burn injury, you should reach out to an experienced catastrophic injury attorney. A Clayton burn injury lawyer may be able to provide you with more information regarding your eligibility for compensation.
Types and Causes of Burns
There are four classifications for burns that rank them based on their severity. The more severe a burn is, the more likely that the damage will be permanent. The classification system includes 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th-degree burns, with 4th degree burns being the most severe. Several different causes of burns include:
- Corrosive chemicals
- Heat burns
- Automobile accident burns
- Electrical burns
Determining the cause of a burn is essential in determining if someone is responsible for the injury. For example, if a company stored corrosive chemicals improperly and the company’s failure to store the chemicals properly resulted in a burn, they may be liable for compensation to the burn victim.
If a company’s failure to manufacture a product properly, such as a malfunctioning toaster or hairdryer that resulted in a heat burn, they may also be liable for compensation.
In an automobile accident, if a vehicle catches fire before a victim can exit, the driver that caused the crash may be liable for any burn injuries sustained in the crash. Additionally, the vehicle manufacturer may also be responsible if a defective part contributed to the accident.
When a burn occurs, a Clayton burn injury lawyer could assist with evaluating the severity of the burn, as well as who may be responsible for what led to the burn in the first place.
Proving Negligence in a Clayton Burn Injury Claim
Negligence law in Missouri requires several things to be proven in court to be successful in a claim of negligence:
- The defendant owed a duty to the plaintiff
- That duty was breached
- That breach caused the injury
- The defendant was the proximate cause of the injury
- There were damages as a result of the injury
Additionally, Missouri is a pure comparative negligence state meaning a plaintiff can recover compensation for a defendant’s negligence even if the plaintiff contributed to the injuries. However, the damages available to the plaintiff may be reduced by the percentage of fault they were found to have contributed.
Compensatory Damages
Compensation may be available to a plaintiff who suffered an injury due to negligence on the part of the defendant. The compensation is meant to restore the injured party to how they were before the injury occurred. Compensation may include:
- Medical expenses
- Out of pocket expenses
- Mental anguish
- Loss of opportunity
- Pain and suffering
There may also be punitive damages available to punish the defendant. Missouri Revised Statutes, §510.265 provides punitive damages if the plaintiff can prove the act that caused the injury was intentional, wanton, willful and outrageous, or acted recklessly. However, an award for punitive damages cannot exceed $500,000, or five times the amount awarded to the plaintiff against the defendant. An accomplished burn injury lawyer in Clayton could help an injured victim recover the damages they deserve.
Importance of Reaching Out to a Clayton Burn Injury Attorney
Burn injuries can be some of the most painful injuries inflicted on the human body. Unlike other injuries, a severe burn can continue to produce pain long after the incident occurred. Additionally, the cost of lifelong care after a severe burn can be crippling and challenging to recover from.
If an accident resulted in a severe burn injury, an experienced burn injury lawyer might be able to help. If you experienced lost income, medical bills, or pain and suffering, a Clayton burn injury lawyer could assist in filing a claim to help with compensation.