Burn injuries can cause long-term health complications, as well as significant scarring and disfigurement. At Hall Law P.A., we understand that recovery can take a long time for victims of burn injuries. Our St. Cloud attorneys help burn injury victims understand and protect their legal rights. Find out how we can help you during a free consultation. Contact our St. Cloud burn injury lawyers at (800) 292-1979 today.

Types of Burn Injuries

 
A burn injury is damage to the tissues (and possibly the muscles, tendons, cartilage and bones) due to contact with a dangerous element. The four types of burn injuries are electrical, chemical, radiation and thermal burns. Doctors also categorize burn injuries into three degrees based on their severity:

  1. First-degree burn. A first-degree burn only affects the epidermis, or the top layer of skin. It does not result in blistering but may present as red and painful.
  2. Second-degree burn. A second-degree burn affects the dermis – the second layer of skin beneath the dermis. It can cause blistering, pain, swelling, redness and possible scarring.
  3. Third-degree burn. A third-degree burn can impact the epidermis, dermis, and deeper muscle and tendon layers. Third-degree burns may appear brown or white and may not cause pain due to nerve damage.

A severe burn injury requires a visit to the hospital. The victim may need fluids, medications and an IV. In the most serious cases, a burn survivor may require skin graft surgeries or medical amputations. Bad burns cause scarring, disfigurement and permanent disabilities. A serious burn injury in St. Cloud could impact you physically, psychologically and financially.

What Causes Burn Injuries in St. Cloud, MN?

In many cases, serious burn injuries are preventable. They occur as a result of negligence. Negligence is a legal doctrine that describes any act or failure to act that goes outside of an individual’s duties of care to someone else. If negligence caused your burn injury in Minnesota, the careless or reckless party may owe you financial compensation. Lawsuits can arise from many different causes of burn injuries related to negligence. Some causes of burn injuries include:

  • Contact with electrical elements
  • Defective products
  • Explosions
  • Flammable gases
  • Home and building fires
  • Hot steam and liquids
  • Kitchen accidents
  • Motor vehicle accidents
  • Overexposure to the sun
  • Physical abuse
  • Spilled chemicals
  • Workplace accidents

Negligence is often behind burn injury incidents. An employer in St. Cloud, for example, may have breached his or her duties of care by failing to train employees to safely handle electrical elements. This could cause severe electrical burns to an employee. In this case, the injured employee would have grounds to bring a claim against the negligent employer. In another case, the burn survivor may have grounds for a case against a driver, product manufacturer or property owner.

What Damages Are Available for a Burn Injury Claim in Minnesota?

Negligence will give you grounds to file a burn injury claim in Minnesota. Filing a personal injury claim with assistance from a lawyer could force the careless or at-fault party to pay. A successful claim could reimburse you and your family for many different losses, including:

  • Medical bills
  • Ongoing health care
  • Surgeries and skin grafts
  • Rehabilitation
  • Psychological therapy
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Punitive damages

 
Statute of Limitations
You must act within your statute of limitations, or time limit, for a valid burn injury claim. You have no more than two years from the date of your burn injury accident to file. If you are the victim of a serious burn injury caused by someone else’s negligence, seek justice with help from an attorney.

Call Today for a Free Consultation

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious burn injury from an accident in St. Cloud, Minnesota, contact the attorneys at Hall Law P.A. for a free consultation. We understand the difficulties and complications of this injury, and can help you protect your rights as a victim and find the resources you need. Call (800) 292-1979 or send us a message online to schedule a meeting at our local St. Cloud location.