Gainesville Burn Injury Lawyer

Gainesville Burn Injury Lawyer

Are you suffering from a burn injury caused by another party’s actions in Gainesville, Florida? If so, you’re likely dealing with immense pain and steep medical costs. Fortunately, you may be able to seek compensation for these and other losses from the at-fault party. 

The Gainesville burn injury lawyers at Allen Law Firm, P.A. are here to offer honest legal advice and explore your options for financial recovery. We’ve used our 100+ years of combined experience to secure hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients. 

Call us or contact our Gainesville, FL law firm online today to schedule a free initial consultation at (877) 255-3652. We’ll listen to how your burn injuries happened and discuss how to proceed with a personal injury claim. 

How Can Allen Law Firm, P.A. Help You With a Burn Injury Claim in Gainesville, FL? 

How Can Allen Law Firm, P.A. Help You With a Burn Injury Claim in Gainesville, FL? 

Severe burns are some of the most painful injuries a person can experience because they may damage the deepest layers of the skin and underlying tissues. The most serious cases can lead to shock and even death.

If you’re dealing with burn injuries resulting from an accident caused by someone else, you deserve compensation for your suffering and emotional trauma. Allen Law Firm, P.A. will fight for the full extent of your damages so that you can focus on treatment and recovery. 

If you hire our Gainesville personal injury lawyers for help with your burn injury case, we’ll: 

  • Investigate the accident that caused your burns and work to establish liability 
  • Work with your healthcare providers and medical experts to understand the severity of your burn injuries, how they’ll impact your life, and the value of your damages 
  • Negotiate for you and handle your case from start to finish, keeping you updated at all times 
  • Be your fiercest advocate as we work to secure the maximum compensation available
  • Litigate your burn injury case before an Alachua County jury if we fail to reach a fair out-of-court settlement 

While you’re dealing with burn injuries, the last thing you should be worried about is a legal battle. Let us do the heavy lifting in your burn injury case while you focus on healing. Call today for a free case assessment to see how our personal injury attorneys in Gainesville, FL can help.

What Is a Burn Injury? 

A burn is damage to skin tissue that can result from many different sources, including: 

  • Heat 
  • Sun exposure 
  • Electricity 
  • Radiation 
  • Chemicals
  • Friction
  • Exposure to extreme cold

Burns can range from mild sunburns to severe, life-threatening issues requiring emergency medical attention. The treatment will depend on the severity of the burn and the amount and depth of skin it affected. 

What Are the Symptoms of a Burn Injury? 

Medical professionals classify burn injuries according to degrees of severity by evaluating the extent and depth of the tissue damage. The symptoms and treatment of a burn will depend on the degree of severity. 

First-Degree Burns

First-degree burns are the mildest form. They only affect the uppermost layer of skin – known as the epidermis. 

Most sunburns are classified as first-degree burns. The symptoms may include redness and some pain. You may treat these burns with antibiotic cream and over-the-counter pain medication.

Second-Degree Burns 

Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the epidermis.  

The symptoms may include redness, pain, swelling, and blistering. Severe second-degree burns may cause scarring. These burns are typically treated with prescription antibiotic creams and gauze. You can also elevate the burned area to reduce swelling. 

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns impact all three skin layers – the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue (fat) – and can destroy structures underneath, including sweat glands, hair follicles, and nerve endings. You may not feel pain from these burns due to nerve damage. 

Symptoms may include red, black, brown, or white charred skin with a leathery appearance. These burns can also be life-threatening and may require extensive treatment, such as skin grafts, surgery, and continuous IV fluids to prevent dehydration and hypovolemic shock.

Fourth-Degree Burns 

Fourth-degree burns are severe and potentially life-threatening without immediate treatment. They affect all the skin layers and deeper tissue, including muscles, tendons, and bones. Similar to third-degree burns, you may not feel a fourth-degree burn because the nerve endings are destroyed. 

These burns aren’t as common as the other degrees mentioned above. They can cause permanent damage and may require that the burned area be amputated. 

What Causes Burn Injuries? 

People can cause their own burns, such as accidentally touching a hot oven or stove while cooking or burning themselves using a curling iron. However, many burn injuries result from the negligence of others. 

The following types of accidents can cause burns: 

If you’re suffering from painful burns through little to no fault of your own, contact Allen Law Firm, P.A. today to speak with an experienced Gainesville personal injury attorney.

What Is My Gainesville Burn Injury Case Worth? 

Severe burns can require extensive medical care, including skin grafts, surgeries, and ongoing treatment at specialized burn centers. These and other burn injury needs can be expensive, and your case value will reflect that. 

When determining how much your Gainesville burn injury case is worth, we’ll consider the following factors: 

  • The severity of your burns, the treatment you require for them, and the duration of your recovery 
  • The medical costs and out-of-pocket expenses you incurred 
  • The extent of your pain, suffering, and emotional distress
  • Your lost wages and whether you can work in the same capacity 
  • Whether you mitigated your damages (e.g., by seeking prompt medical attention and following your doctor’s treatment plan) 
  • The impact of the burns on your quality of life 
  • Whether you contributed to the accident that caused your burns 
  • The parties involved in the case and whether insurance covers the incident 
  • Whether you will suffer permanent disabilities, impairments, scarring, or disfigurement

As you can see, the value of a burn injury lawsuit depends on many different factors. We’ll review your accident, evaluate the evidence, and consult your medical team and experts to value your claim. 

What Compensation Can I Seek for My Burn Injuries in Gainesville, Florida? 

Gainesville burn injury victims can seek compensation from the at-fault party to cover their economic (tangible) and non-economic (intangible) losses. 

Economic damages may include: 

  • Medical expenses, such as wound assessments, treatments, and surgeries 
  • Future healthcare needs, like ongoing burn treatment, follow-up care, and physical therapy 
  • Lost earnings 
  • Diminished earning capacity 
  • Out-of-pocket costs

Non-economic damages are harder to value and may include: 

  • Physical pain and suffering 
  • Diminished quality of life 
  • Mental anguish
  • Scarring 
  • Disfigurement 
  • Embarrassment 
  • Inconvenience 
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression 

The court may award punitive damages if the at-fault party acted grossly negligent or intentionally in causing your burn injury. These damages aren’t awarded to compensate you, even though they’re given to you. They’re intended to punish defendants for particularly bad conduct. 

Suffering from a burn injury is a traumatic experience. You deserve fair compensation for the physical and emotional trauma you’ve endured. Contact our burn injury lawyers in Gainesville today so that we can help you value your case. 

Can I Still Receive Compensation If I’m Being Blamed for Causing My Burn Injury? 

As long as you aren’t 51% or more responsible for causing your burns, you can seek compensation in a personal injury case. However, under Florida’s modified comparative negligence statute, your awarded damages will be reduced proportionately to your level of fault. 

For example, you’re allocated 30% fault for causing a car accident that resulted in your burns. You will only be able to take home 70% of your awarded damages. And if you’re allocated 51% or more, you cannot recover any amount of damages.

Insurance companies and other at-fault parties know this rule and use it to reduce the amount they have to pay accident victims. If you’re being blamed for your burn injury, contact our Gainesville personal injury attorneys so that we can protect your rights to fair compensation. 

How Long Do I Have To File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Florida? 

Burn injury victims in Gainesville have limited time to file a lawsuit due to Florida’s statute of limitations. The state recently adjusted its statute of limitations for personal injury cases. If you suffered your burn injury on 3/24/2023 or later, you will have two years to file your claim; otherwise, you’ll have four years.

However, exceptions sometimes apply to the statute of limitations. Don’t miss the deadline that applies to your burn injury claim, or you’ll lose your right to seek compensation from the at-fault party for your losses. Contact a Gainesville personal injury lawyer to confirm the deadline for your case.

Contact Our Gainesville Burn Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Assessment 

If you sustained burn injuries in Gainesville, FL, due to another party’s negligent or intentional actions, don’t hesitate to contact Allen Law Firm, P.A. for compassionate legal advice. We have over 100 years of combined experience to put behind your personal injury case, and we’re prepared to get you the compensation you deserve. 

Contact our Gainesville burn injury attorneys today for a free, no-obligation consultation. If you’re unable to visit our office, we can accommodate you by visiting you or setting up a virtual appointment. We’re available 24/7, so call now to discuss your burn injury case.