While some burns may be no more than a mild flesh wound, others can be much more severe. When a serious burn injury is the result of someone’s negligence, state law provides the injured party the opportunity to seek legal remedy.

Therefore, if you suffered a serious burn injury and need help filing a lawsuit for damages against the responsible party, you should consult the catastrophic injury attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers. Our Newport News burn injury lawyers can look into the details of your incident to assess liability while working hard to get you the compensation you need to fully recover.

Categorization of Burns

There are various types of burns someone may sustain in an accident. Medical professionals classify these injuries based on their severity. First degree burns are typically the mildest, whereas sixth-degree burns can be the most severe and may be fatal.

A first-degree burn causes mild redness and inflammation to the skin, and usually heals on its own without any serious medical attention. However, a first-degree burn that is spread across an extensive area of the body can be far more severe. When someone has a second-degree burn, it may take a few weeks to heal and may result in blisters or inflammation.

Third-degree burns are extremely serious. If a third-degree burn covers more than half of the person’s body, the outcome can be fatal. The reason that these injuries are so serious is that all layers of the skin sustain damage. Often, someone with a third-degree burn may experience significant nerve damage, and the pigmentation of the skin can change. Bubbles and blistering also are common with third-degree burns. These burns require swift care from a doctor, and may result in lengthy treatment as well as multiple skin graft surgeries. An attorney in Newport News can help someone pursue a claim for damages based on the severity of their burn injury.

Filing a Timely Burn Injury Claim in Newport News

Under Virginia Code §8.01-243, when someone suffers an injury due to negligence, they generally have two years to file their claim. In the context of a burn injury case, if someone sustains serious burns because of a chemical explosion, fire, or auto accident, this person would have two years from the date of their incident to submit their claim. However, it is usually advisable to get a case started well in advance of the statutory deadline, or else the injured party risks missing the window to claim financial damages.

It is important to note that there are exceptions to this rule. For instance, if a child sustains a burn injury in an accident, they have two years after their 18th birthday to do so. Additionally, when an individual dies from burn injuries, their family has two years from the date of their loved one’s death to file a civil lawsuit against the party who is at fault. A Newport News accident attorney can help someone file their burn injury case before the applicable deadline.

Contact a Newport News Burn Injury Attorney

If you have questions about filing a case to recover compensation, a Newport News burn injury lawyer can assist. You may be eligible to receive compensation for medical bills, emotional distress, pain and suffering, among other damages. Contact Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers today to receive your free case consultation.

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