Burn Injury Lawyers Helping Those Hurt in North Carolina

In North Carolina, people are burned at work, play, and at home through no fault of their own far too often.

For example, if you are an employee at one of the state’s many textile or furniture manufacturing plants, you could be vulnerable to chemical and electrical burns. And, unfortunately, whether you are driving to Research Triangle Park for work or the Outer Banks for vacation, you could be involved in a serious car accident and suffer significant burn injuries. There are also many other instances where you could suffer burn injuries, such as a house fire caused by faulty wiring.

In these situations, you can seek compensation for the harms and losses you have suffered due to the negligence of others. The insurance company, however, will likely try to pay you as little as possible, no matter how severe your injuries are.

But you don’t have to take them on alone. The burn injury lawyers at the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin have helped injury victims for more than 25 years. Call us today at 1-866-900-7078 to discuss your case and receive a free case evaluation. We are here 24/7 and ready to fight for you.

Were Your Burn Injuries Someone Else’s Fault?

This is an important question to answer when it comes to seeking compensation for a burn injury – especially in North Carolina. North Carolina is one of a handful of states that still follows the doctrine of contributory negligence. Under contributory negligence, if you are found to be responsible for your injuries – even 1% – the insurance company can try to deny you any compensation at all.

This is one of the many reasons why burn victims should consult with an experienced attorney who can build your case and try to demonstrate who was at fault for your burn injuries. If you have been burned due to someone else’s negligence, we can help you seek compensation and counter insurance company tactics.

It’s important to note that if your burn occurred at work, fault is usually not a factor in whether or not you can receive compensation. Most on-the-job burns fall under workers’ compensation laws which are part of a no-fault system. So, even if you were responsible for your burn injury, you could still be eligible for workers’ comp benefits.

As a part of the workers’ comp arrangement, you are not able to sue your employer if they were responsible for the accident. However, if a third party who is not related to your employer, manager, or fellow workers was responsible for your injuries – for example, if you were burned at work by defective machinery – you may be able to file a third-party personal injury claim against the negligent party. 

What Is a Major Burn Injury?

Burns are categorized by degrees, and major burn injuries fall into the 3^rd degree and 4^th degree categories:

	1st degree — Less serious burns that may include minor pain and redness of the epidermis (the top layer of skin that you can see)
	2nd degree — Burns causing blisters and superficial destruction of the dermis (the deeper part of the skin that you can’t see)
	3rd degree — Burns that extend into the deeper tissue, causing destruction of both the epidermis and the dermis
	4th degree — Deep tissue burns that completely destroy the skin and sometimes damage muscle, fascia, or bone

While all burn injuries are serious, 3^rd and 4^th degree burns are major injuries that require extensive care and can have long-term consequences. Consult with an attorney before you agree to any insurance company offer to ensure that it includes compensation for future medical and psychological care, if needed.

Apart From a Fire Injury, What Type of Accident Might Cause a Major Burn?

When many people think of the source of burns, they often only think of a fire injury accident. In reality, there are other ways to suffer a burn injury.

Three common types of accidents that cause major burns are:

• Thermal burn (or fire injury) accidents – from contact with a flame or extreme heat, such as in a car crash or house fire or when exposed to scalding liquids
• Chemical burn accidents – from exposure to a dangerous household product or chemical
• Electrical burn accidents – from contact with a power line or due to a defective product

No matter what type of accident caused your burns, you should seek compensation if they were caused by another’s negligence. While the insurance company is protecting their own interests, we will always put you first.

How Do I Know if I Can File a Burn Injury Compensation Claim?

Burn injuries can be complicated and confusing, but there’s no need to guess. We can give you a free professional evaluation of your burn injury compensation claim.

You should have an experienced attorney to help you after a burn injury because:

• There may be multiple insurance companies involved, all trying to establish who was negligent. Because North Carolina follows the doctrine of contributory negligence, if they can prove that you were just 1% responsible for your injuries, they may try to deny you compensation completely.
• Burns sustained at work are likely to fall under workers’ compensation laws, rather than personal injury laws. Workers’ comp can provide medical and lost wage benefits but prohibits you from suing your employer or obtaining compensation for pain and suffering. Your attorney guides you on what steps to take to help protect your interests.
• Burns sustained as part of a defective product claim (such as a mass tort or class action) often fall under different rules, timelines, and procedures. Missing a deadline could jeopardize your opportunity to receive compensation, but an attorney can significantly increase your odds of success.

Call us today at 1-866-900-7078 or contact us online for a free case evaluation of your burn injury claim. We can help you decide on your course of action and next steps.

Can I Get Compensation for a Burn at Work?

Yes, you can file a workers’ compensation claim for a burn injury that occurred at work. Workers’ compensation generally pays for medical expenses and lost wages related to work injuries, but you are not legally entitled to compensation for pain and suffering under workers’ compensation. A workers’ comp attorney can guide you through the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim and negotiating a potential settlement with your employer or their insurance company.

What Compensation Am I Owed?

Our attorneys can help you seek compensation for the following types of damages resulting from a burn injury:

• Medical costs (present and future)
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering, where allowed under the law
• Loss of consortium (loss of the benefits from a personal relationship)
• Disability

The amount of compensation you may be owed depends on many factors including the severity and permanence of your burn injury, the cost of medical treatment you receive and may need in the future, and more. Our burn injury lawyers have helped many burn victims estimate and fight for the damages they have suffered due to the negligence of others, and we can help you, too.

Our Experienced Burn Injury Lawyers Will Handle Your Case So You Can Focus on Getting Better

Don’t delay in contacting an attorney. Call today so we can start handling the insurance company for you.

At the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin, our workers’ compensation attorneys and personal injury attorneys have represented many burn accident victims. We care about our clients and know that burn injuries can leave behind devastating physical and emotional scars.

Our firm has supported the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center over the years, and we even donated a dedicated pediatric bronchoscope to help the Center provide quality medical care to its younger patients.

Serious injuries demand serious attention. Don’t leave your future to chance. Take action and tell them you mean business.

Worried about costs? We understand, but there’s no need. Our burn injury lawyers work on a  contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay any attorney’s fee unless we recover for you. Guaranteed.²

If you were burned by the negligence of others or at work, contact us today for a free case evaluation. Our team is available 24/7 at 1-866-900-7078, or you can contact us online or chat with us right now.

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