Burns are a common and painful consequence of many accidents. In severe cases, victims may deal with the effects of burn injuries for the rest of their lives. If you suffered a serious burn caused by another person or entity, there are legal routes for recovering fair restitution for your pain.
Regardless of whether your injuries stemmed from an intentional act of violence or an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation. With help from a skilled attorney at the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd., you could pursue a claim to cover the cost of your medical care, as well as payments to make up for any other losses associated with your injury. In court or during settlement negotiations, a Kenosha burn injury lawyer could help assert your legal rights and fight for your recovery.
Common Causes and Types of Burn Injuries
While exposure to a direct flame or heat is the most common cause, other events can also result in severe scalding wounds. Chemicals, X-rays, and even friction have the potential to damage the layers of skin and underlying tissue.
Burns come in many types and levels of severity. The degree of the burn injury indicates the extent of the damage done to the skin and flesh.
First-Degree
A first-degree burn is the least serious type. However, these wounds can still be very painful. These injuries affect only the topmost layer of skin. Doctors may treat first-degree burns with topical creams and bandages. This type of wound is likely to result in a full recovery for the injured person with no lasting effects.
Second-Degree
Second-degree burns are more serious. These result from prolonged exposure to heat and can completely destroy a person’s skin, damaging the flesh underneath. Skin grafts and other intensive surgeries may be necessary. In many cases, these burns will result in scarring.
Third-Degree
Third-degree burns are the most dangerous and catastrophic. In these cases, heat, chemicals, or friction completely destroy the affected flesh. Treatment often involves amputation of the affected areas or extensive cosmetic surgery. Compensation for third-degree burns will need to take into account the long-term effects of injuries this severe, so these cases often require experienced legal assistance to calculate the full value of the claim.
Burn Injury Claims in Kenosha
Our seasoned lawyers commonly bring burn injury claims for car accidents, worksite injuries, defective products, and medical errors. To collect compensation for a burn victim’s losses, their attorney must show that another party was responsible for the accident, usually due to negligence.
However, a defendant may argue that a victim’s own carelessness contributed to the scalding incident. According to Wisconsin Statute § 895.045, if a person is partially at fault for an accident, the courts will reduce their compensation based on their percentage of responsibility. If they are found 51 percent or more at fault, the court cannot award any payment. As such, it is important for victims to work with a skilled burn injury attorney in their area to fight any allegations of blame.
Contact a Kenosha Burn Injury Attorney Today
Burns can be an excruciating and long-lasting reminder of a traumatic incident. If another party was responsible for your injuries, you have the right to pursue a legal claim for compensation to cover all of your losses.
At the Law Offices of R.F. Wittmeyer, Ltd., one of our Kenosha burn injury lawyers is prepared to assist you with this legal process. A seasoned attorney could help gather evidence, build a strong case within the framework of the law, and demand fair payments on your behalf. Contact our firm today for a free consultation about your potential claim.