Edmond Burn Injury Lawyer

Burn Injury Attorney in Edmond, OK

A serious burn injury can cause significant and long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial challenges for victims. Understanding your legal rights is one of the first steps you can take to begin recovering from a burn injury. An Edmond burn injury lawyer can explain the legal process, help you determine where liability may exist, and evaluate a burn injury claim if another person or party’s negligence caused your injury.

Advocates for Our Community

At Fulmer Sill, we represent injured people who were hurt due to someone else’s negligence in Oklahoma and nationwide. Our attorneys and support staff collaborate on each case using a team-based approach to investigate accidents, assess the evidence, and prepare each matter. With a focus on empowering injured people, Fulmer Sill simplifies the legal process for our clients with clear communication and in-depth legal knowledge.

Oklahoma Burn Injury Laws

If you or someone you love has suffered a burn injury due to another person’s negligence, you should be aware of Oklahoma’s laws regarding personal injury claims. Oklahoma Statute 23 O.S. § 13 follows modified comparative negligence rules. If you were less at fault than the other party for the incident that caused your injuries, you could recover compensation from the at-fault party. However, your compensation award may be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.

Oklahoma has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases under 12 O.S. § 95. If you fail to take legal action within two years of the incident that caused your burn injuries, you could forfeit your right to collect compensation.

If you’re looking to file a claim in Edmond stemming from an accident, most civil matters are handled at the Oklahoma County District Courthouse in Oklahoma City.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can result from various accidents. In many cases, however, they were caused by the negligence of another person or business. Fires or explosions caused during motor vehicle accidents and commercial truck accidents can also result in serious burn injuries. Other common causes include: 

• Electrical problems
• Defective products
• Property hazards
• Dangerous workplaces
• Careless storage of chemicals
• An employer’s failure to keep working conditions safe

Burn injuries are often broken up into three categories based on severity. First-degree burns only impact the top layer of skin and usually do not cause permanent damage. Second-degree burns typically involve deeper layers of skin and may require special treatment. Third-degree burns penetrate through several layers of tissue and can permanently damage nerves, muscles, and body parts underneath the skin.

Serious burns often require skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and long-term rehabilitation. The annual 29,165 burn admissions to hospitals in the country are equivalent to 88.5 admissions per million lives annually, according to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS). Out of these admissions, there were 795 inpatient deaths.

Serious burn injuries can require hospitalization, multiple surgeries, lengthy rehabilitation, and cause enormous financial strain.

Compensation Available After a Burn Injury in Edmond

The value of your burn injury case depends on several factors. The severity of the burns, the cost of medical treatment, the long-term repercussions, and how the injury affects your day-to-day life are just some of the factors that can impact value. Compensation can include:

• Emergency treatment and hospital stays
• Skin grafts, reconstructive procedures, and physical rehabilitation
• Lost income or earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent injuries
• Disability

Burn injury victims often require medical treatment years after the incident. As a result, detailed medical records and professional testimony are usually needed to prove both current and future treatment requirements.

Hire a Burn Injury Lawyer in Edmond, OK

Many burn injury victims decide to hire a burn injury lawyer in Edmond due to the complexity of burn injury claims. These types of cases usually require extensive medical testimony, and, sometimes, multiple parties may be liable. An attorney can help determine how the burn injury occurred and work to preserve physical evidence.

Your Edmond burn injury attorney can obtain the fire report, review workplace safety or product safety records, consult with medical professionals, and help you determine if any manufacturers, owners, employers, or other parties may be partially at fault. If a reasonable settlement cannot be negotiated, your lawyer can file a claim on your behalf and present your case in court.

FAQs About Edmond, OK Burn Injury Laws

What Should I Do Immediately After Suffering a Burn Injury?

Seek medical treatment as soon as possible after suffering a burn injury, even if you believe the injury to be minor. Prompt medical treatment can decrease your chance of infection and other complications. You should also photograph the injury, preserve all evidence from the accident scene, and keep records of your medical treatment. Do not discuss fault with insurance carriers until you know your legal rights.

Are Emotional Injuries Considered in a Burn Injury Claim in Edmond?

Emotional injuries are sometimes considered in a burn injury claim in Edmond. Burn injuries can impact more than just your physical well-being. You may suffer from anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, or other emotional injuries related to scarring and disfigurement. With the proper evidence to support your claim, you may be able to recover for these non-economic damages in a personal injury claim in addition to your physical injuries and financial losses.

How Long Does It Take for a Serious Burn Injury to Heal?

Healing from a burn can take a few weeks to many months, depending on the depth of the injury. Superficial burns may take only a few weeks to heal. More serious burns that require procedures such as skin grafting or reconstructive surgery can take months or years to fully heal. Some patients continue rehabilitation for years to increase range of motion, decrease scar tissue, and restore function after large burn injuries.

Can Burns Increase the Risk of Future Medical Complications?

Yes, burns can increase the risk of future medical complications. Major burns put people at a higher risk of developing complications like infections, restricted motion, chronic pain, and excessive scarring. Some individuals may also need additional reconstructive surgeries or therapy in the future. Long-term follow-up care may be necessary because of this.

Talk to Fulmer Sill Today

If you suffered a burn injury, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages from the responsible party, and Fulmer Sill can help. Our Edmond office is located on N Eastern Avenue. Contact us today for more information.