(864) 585-5100 Burn injuries are among the most devastating accidents a person can suffer. Victims often face surgeries, rehabilitation, and lasting physical and emotional scars. On top of recovery, there are medical bills, missed work, and uncertainty about the future. Burns are common in workers’ compensation claims, often resulting from workplace accidents involving machinery, chemicals, or unsafe conditions. If your burns were caused by negligence, you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim.
Consulting with a Spartanburg burn injury lawyer could help you take timely action and protect your right to pursue recovery following such a catastrophic injury.
Burn injuries vary widely in severity, and understanding the type of burn can help explain the treatment and long-term impact you may face. First-degree burns are the least severe, as they damage only the outer layer of skin and often heal with minimal medical care. Second-degree burns extend deeper, causing blistering, swelling, and significant pain that may require ongoing treatment. Third-degree burns are the most dangerous, destroying multiple layers of skin and sometimes muscle or bone, often resulting in permanent scarring or disability.
These injuries can occur in various ways. Many happen in the workplace, where employees are exposed to hot machinery, open flames, or hazardous chemicals. Others stem from car accidents, defective household products, electrical malfunctions, or unsafe conditions on another person’s property. Regardless of the source, severe burns often mean long hospital stays, surgeries, and rehabilitation, leaving victims and families overwhelmed physically, emotionally, and financially.
Consulting with a Spartanburg burn accident attorney could help ensure your claim is properly documented and that you understand all potential avenues for compensation.
Filing a personal injury claim on time allows you to seek damages for medical bills, reconstructive surgeries, lost wages, and long-term care needs. You may also pursue non-economic damages for pain and suffering, disfigurement, and reduced quality of life. In cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may be awarded. South Carolina caps punitive damages at the greater of three times compensatory damages or $500,000 under South Carolina Code Annotated § 15-32-530. However, if the negligent party’s conduct involved the use of alcohol or drugs, punitive damages are not subject to this limitation.
If your burn injury happened on the job, workers’ compensation provides a different set of recoverable damages. These benefits typically include payment for medical treatment, wage replacement if you are unable to work, and compensation for permanent disability if the injury leaves lasting impairment. Unlike personal injury claims, workers’ compensation does not provide damages for pain and suffering. However, in some cases, if a third party’s negligence contributed to the accident (such as a defective product or outside contractor), you may be able to pursue both workers’ compensation benefits and a separate personal injury claim.
A seasoned lawyer from our firm in Spartanburg could review your circumstances and pursue every category of compensation you are entitled to after suffering a burn injury. These damages may be essential to cover not only current expenses but also the cost of future medical treatment and lifestyle adjustments. By pursuing the full value of your claim, you could secure greater stability for yourself and your family after such a life-changing injury.
Burn injury cases often involve complex medical records and long-term treatment. The sooner your legal team begins, the easier it is to preserve evidence, document injuries, and secure expert testimony. Delays may weaken your case and make it harder to prove liability.
When burns occur in the workplace, timing is even more critical. Worker’s compensation laws typically require that an employee report the injury to their employer within a specific period of time—sometimes as short as a few days. Failing to report promptly could jeopardize your ability to receive workers’ compensation benefits. In addition, each state has its own statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim, so acting quickly ensures that you preserve your right to both workers’ compensation and any potential third-party claims.
Acting promptly also helps you pursue compensation that may cover ongoing treatment and lost income. Early filing gives our Spartanburg burn accident lawyers time to negotiate with insurers and, if needed, prepare for trial. Taking action within the statute of limitations is the foundation for building a strong claim.
Filing a burn injury claim on time is crucial to protect your rights. Missing deadlines can cost you compensation for medical care and financial support. Workplace burns are especially time-sensitive, as workers’ compensation laws often require reporting injuries within days and filing claims within strict limits. A Spartanburg burn injury lawyer could help you meet deadlines, navigate the process, and fight for the benefits you deserve.
If you or a loved one suffered serious burns, do not wait until time runs out. Contact KD Trial Lawyers today to speak with a compassionate attorney who could pursue the compensation you deserve and help you move forward.