Burn injuries are some of the most painful and life-altering injuries a person can experience. They can happen in an instant, but the recovery can stretch on for months or even years, involving surgeries, skin grafts, and ongoing therapy. When someone else’s carelessness caused the accident, it’s worth understanding which types of burns may qualify for a legal claim and what compensation may be available.
That’s where Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm comes in. With over 80 years of combined experience handling serious injury cases throughout Wisconsin, we know how to build a strong case and fight for what our clients truly deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win.
What Are the Different Types of Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries are classified by severity, and the degree of the burn plays a major role in how a case is valued.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns only affect the outer layer of skin. They cause redness and minor swelling but typically heal within a week or so. While these burns are rarely the focus of a personal injury claim on their own, they can be part of a larger injury.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns go deeper, damaging the second layer of skin. These injuries blister, are intensely painful, and can leave permanent scarring. They often require medical treatment and sometimes skin grafts, making them a more significant factor in a claim.
Third and Fourth-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns destroy all layers of skin and may damage nerves, which can actually reduce sensation in the affected area. Fourth-degree burns go even further, reaching muscle and bone. Both are catastrophic injuries that require extensive hospitalization, surgery, and long-term care.
How Do Burn Injuries Happen?
Burns can result from many different types of accidents, and some involve someone else’s negligence. Common causes include fires and explosions, chemical exposure, electrical hazards, scalding from hot liquids, and defective products.
Burns frequently happen in workplace settings, particularly in industries like manufacturing, construction, and food service. When a burn occurs on the job because of unsafe conditions, it may support both a work injury claim and a separate personal injury claim.
What Compensation Can Burn Injury Victims Pursue?
The financial impact of a serious burn injury can be enormous. Medical bills add up quickly, and many survivors face a long road of follow-up procedures, physical therapy, and mental health support. The following types of compensation may be available in a burn injury claim:
- Medical expenses: Costs for emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, skin grafts, and ongoing care
- Lost wages: Income lost while recovering, as well as future earning capacity if the injuries affect the ability to work long-term
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional toll the injury has caused
- Scarring and disfigurement: Burns often leave visible scars that have their own significant impact on quality of life
- Wrongful death damages: If you lost a loved one from burn injuries, surviving family members may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim in Wisconsin
Every case is different, and the value of a claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the circumstances of the accident, and the evidence available.
How Long Do You Have to File a Burn Injury Claim in Wisconsin?
Timing matters in any Wisconsin burn injury case. Typically, a lawsuit must be filed within 3 years from the date of the accident, and this time period generally applies to burn injury claims under Wisconsin law. However, there are important exceptions, and specific details of your claim may affect the applicable deadline, so speaking with an attorney early is always a good idea.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With a Wisconsin Burn Injury Lawyer Today
A burn injury can change every part of your life, from your physical health to your ability to work and care for your family. You deserve an attorney who takes that seriously and will work hard to hold the responsible party accountable.
Pemberton Personal Injury has spent decades standing up for people across Wisconsin who have been hurt through no fault of their own. If you or someone you love suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.
