Burn injuries can be devastating with both immediate and long-term effects. If you have suffered a burn injury due to the negligence of another person, you might have a claim for compensation under Florida law.
During the time spent recovering from a burn injury, it may be difficult to focus on your legal rights. However, a skilled personal injury attorney can work to take the stress of pursuing a lawsuit off your shoulders. Call today to find out how a Tarpon Springs burn injury lawyer could pursue compensation on your behalf so you can focus on your recovery.
Costly Complications from Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can have long-term effects that do not manifest immediately. Nerve damage—one of the most common injuries related to severe burns—often get worse as time passes.
Severe burns can also bring increased health risks. A burn victim who loses skin is at a higher risk of infection, and the most severe burns can lead to permanent joint and bone issues and even require amputation. Many burn injury victims also experience smoke inhalation and the various health complications that come with it.
Treating burn injuries can require a lifetime of expensive medical treatment. Unless a burn victim seeks monetary compensation from the party responsible for their burns, they may have to pay these mounting expenses themselves. A Tarpon Springs attorney with experience handling burn injury cases may be able to help a plaintiff explore what damages are available in an injury suit.
Proving Negligence in a Burn Injury Lawsuit
A burn injury lawsuit must establish that the negligence of another person was responsible for a plaintiff’s damages in order to be successful. More specifically, the injured person must show that the defendant owed the injured person a duty, and that the injury occurred because the defendant failed to uphold that duty.
For example, drivers owe a duty of care to everyone they share a road with. If a driver is inattentive and causes an accident, they may be liable for any burn injuries caused by the collision.
Comparative Fault
In some cases, it could be possible for an injured person to recover damages even when they are partially responsible for their own burn injuries, due to the comparative fault system established by Florida state law. Florida Statutes §768.81 empowers a civil court to assign blame for a burn injury to more than one party and determine what percentage of the accident each party is liable for.
After identifying their degree of liability, the court could then reduce the plaintiff’s recoverable damages in proportion to the percentage of fault she bears. An experienced burn accident lawyer in Tarpon Springs could provide further guidance on how comparative fault may impact a particular case.
Contact a Tarpon Springs Burn Injury Attorney
If you suffered a burn injury due to the negligence of another person, a Tarpon Springs burn injury lawyer may be able to help you recover compensation. If another party was responsible for your burn injury, you could seek financial recovery for medical costs and other losses related to both the short-term and long-term effects of your burns.
A dedicated personal injury attorney may be able to fight for justice on your behalf. Call today to schedule an initial consultation.
