Columbia Burn Injury Lawyer

Recovering from a severe burn is one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. Beyond the immediate physical pain, burn victims often face a long road of surgeries, skin grafts, and emotional trauma. If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury in Columbia, South Carolina, due to someone else’s negligence, you should not have to pay for your recovery alone.

At The Super Lawyer, we understand that burn injury claims are different from other personal injury cases. The medical costs are often higher, and the impact on your life is permanent. Our goal is to help you navigate the legal system, handle the insurance companies, and fight for the compensation you need to rebuild your life.

Overview of Burn Injury Claims in Columbia

A burn injury claim arises when a person is harmed because another party failed to act safely. In South Carolina, this is based on the legal concept of negligence. To have a valid claim, we must prove that a person, business, or landlord had a duty of care to keep you safe and that they breached that duty, directly causing your injury.

These cases can happen anywhere in Richland or Lexington County. Whether it was a fire in an apartment complex, a chemical spill at a workplace, or a defective product that caught fire, you have rights. A successful claim can provide the financial support needed for long-term rehabilitation and care.

Types and Severity of Burn Injuries

The value of a case often depends on the severity of the injury. Medical professionals classify burns by degrees, and each level impacts your life differently:

• First-Degree Burns: These affect only the outer layer of skin. While painful, they usually heal without surgery.
• Second-Degree Burns: These damage the outer and underlying skin layers. They often cause blistering and may require medical treatment to prevent infection.
• Third-Degree Burns: These are catastrophic injuries that destroy deep tissue and may damage nerve endings. Victims often require skin grafts and reconstructive surgery.
• Fourth-Degree Burns: These extend into fat, muscle, and bone. They are life-threatening and often result in amputation or permanent disability.

We also handle cases involving inhalation injuries from smoke, chemical burns from toxic substances, and electrical burns caused by faulty wiring.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in South Carolina

Determining the cause of the fire or accident is the first step in building your case. We investigate many different sources of burn injuries, including:

• House and Apartment Fires: Often caused by landlord negligence, lack of smoke detectors, or building code violations.
• Workplace and Industrial Accidents: Explosions, chemical spills, or unsafe conditions at construction sites.
• Defective Products: Electronics, batteries, or appliances that overheat or catch fire due to manufacturing errors.
• Vehicle Accidents: Car or truck crashes that result in fuel fires or explosions.
• Scalding Incidents: Burns from dangerously hot water or liquids, often occurring in restaurants, hotels, or nursing homes.
• Electrical Accidents: Contact with exposed wiring or high-voltage lines.

Proving Liability and Negligence

To win a burn injury lawsuit in South Carolina, we must identify who is liable (responsible). This isn’t always obvious. For example, in a workplace accident, you might have a workers’ compensation claim, but you might also have a third-party claim against a subcontractor or equipment manufacturer.

We look for evidence of:

• Premises Liability: Did a property owner fail to fix electrical hazards?
• Product Liability: Was a product sold with a dangerous defect?
• Gross Negligence: Did someone act with reckless disregard for safety?

South Carolina uses a comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault, as long as you were less than 51% responsible. However, your payout will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Compensation Available for Burn Victims

Burn injuries often require years of medical attention. A Columbia burn injury lawyer fights to recover both economic damages (financial losses) and non-economic damages (quality of life losses). Potential compensation includes:

• Medical Expenses: Costs for emergency room visits, surgeries, skin grafts, and medication.
• Future Care: Funding for long-term physical therapy, occupational therapy, and future reconstructive surgeries.
• Lost Wages: Income lost while you were in the hospital or recovering.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your old job.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical agony of the burn and the treatment process.
• Scarring and Disfigurement: Damages for permanent physical changes that affect your appearance and confidence.
• Emotional Distress: Support for psychological trauma, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression.

What to Do After a Burn Injury

Taking the right steps immediately after an accident can protect your health and your legal claim:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Go to a hospital or burn center immediately. Burn injuries can lead to sepsis or severe infection if not treated right away.
2. Report the Incident: Notify the landlord, employer, or business manager where the injury happened.
3. Preserve Evidence: If possible, take photos of the scene, the hazard that caused the burn, and your injuries. Keep the clothing you were wearing (unless it was burned off).
4. Gather Witness Info: Get names and phone numbers of anyone who saw what happened.
5. Avoid Insurance Mistakes: Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster without speaking to a lawyer first. They may try to use your words to lower your claim value.
6. Contact a Lawyer: Call a burn injury attorney to evaluate your case before evidence disappears.

The Burn Injury Claim Process

We handle the legal burden so you can focus on healing. The process typically follows these steps:

First, we conduct a thorough investigation. We gather fire department reports, medical records, and witness statements. We may also bring in experts to determine the cause of the fire or accident.

Next, we calculate your total damages and send a demand letter to the insurance company. This starts settlement negotiations. If the insurer refuses to offer a fair amount, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and represent you in court.

Deadlines: South Carolina Statute of Limitations

You do not have unlimited time to take legal action. In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of the injury. If you are filing a wrongful death claim for a loved one who passed away from burn injuries, the three-year clock usually starts on the date of death.

However, if a government entity (like a city or county) is responsible, the deadline to file a notice of claim is much shorter. It is crucial to speak with an attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing these deadlines.

How Our Columbia Burn Injury Lawyers Help

Dealing with severe burns is overwhelming. Our team provides the support you need by:

• Handling Communication: We deal with the insurance adjusters so you don’t have to.
• Valuing Your Case: We work with medical and economic experts to calculate the true cost of your injury, including future needs.
• No Upfront Fees: We work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.