Severe burns injuries can cause lifelong damage. Even if a victim recovers, the costs of treatment can be insurmountable. Often, burn victims suffer from scars, which affect their personal and professional lives. Additionally, burn victims sometimes develop mental health complications after their accident, like PTSD or anxiety.

Physical therapy, life-saving medical services, and mental health care cost money, and many families cannot afford these services. If you or a loved one suffered from a severe burn injury and believe someone else’s negligence contributed to the injury, ask Wagner Reese in Indiana about filing a lawsuit and getting compensation.

Health Complications from Severe Burn Injuries

Severe burn injuries can result from many situations. A fiery car crash, a kitchen fire, a damaged electric wire, or a chemical spill at work could all cause significant and life-altering injuries. Regardless of how it happened, a severe burn of the 3rd or 4th degree can have lasting complications.

  • Disfigurement:

Severe burns can cause scars. Particularly for those who suffer from burns on the face, neck, or arms, these scars can cause severe problems in their personal and professional lives. They may face discrimination, find it harder to socialize, or suffer from low self-esteem because of their altered appearance.

Scars from burns can also cause discomfort, including itchiness, limiting movement, and some pain. While these symptoms may decrease in the months or years following the injury, their toll on patients’ mental health is significant. Many patients report struggles with self-care, depression or anxiety, and body image in the year following their injury. These mental health issues can lead to suicide attempts or major depression.

  • Breathing Difficulties:

If the burn happens in a fire, victims often suffer damage to their lungs, with smoke inhalation being the leading cause of death in fires. Depending on the severity, this damage could affect the victim’s capacity to return to their everyday lives, limiting their ability to work, run, or even move freely around the house. They may require breathing aids or oxygen for the rest of their life.

  • Serious Bacterial Infections:

Burns can easily become infected, which can lead to serious, life-threatening bacterial conditions, including sepsis. These dangerous infections require intensive antibiotics, which can cause stomach problems or have other uncomfortable side effects. In some cases, bacterial infections can be fatal.

  • Nerve Damage:

If a burn damages your nerves, it could cause weakness, tingling, pain, or burning in the damaged area. While some nerve damage is reversible, it’s often permanent, causing limited movement and discomfort daily. Nerve damage can also interfere with the ability to work or enjoy life.

Financial Repercussions of a Severe Burn Injury

Besides the physical and mental complications following a burn injury, victims have to deal with the financial fallout. These costs can easily reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the injury. Working with an experienced Indianapolis burn injury lawyer can help ensure you get as much compensation as possible in your settlement.

You can include a variety of costs in your settlement, including both economic and non-economic damages.

  • Medical Costs: One of the highest economic damages can include your initial treatment at the ER, extended hospital stays in the ICU, prescription drugs, physical therapy, psychiatric treatment, prescription drugs, and any other prescribed medical treatment concerning your burn injuries.
  • Lost Wages: If you miss time at work, you can include these lost wages in your settlement. Additionally, if your injuries restrict or eliminate your ability to work, you can often include future lost wages.
  • Property Damage: If any of your property was destroyed in the fire, like your car or home, you can include this in your settlement.
  • Pain and Suffering: Pain and suffering falls under the non-economic damages category. While challenging to pin down, it’s essential to include this in your settlement. A burn injury can cause you and your family significant amounts of physical and mental distress, which you deserve compensation for.

Depending on the cause of your injury, you may be eligible for a significant amount of compensation. Allow yourself to rest and heal from your injury while the team at Wagner Reese, LLP builds your case and fights for your rights.

Arrange a Free Consultation Today

If you or a loved one has suffered from high medical costs, physical issues, or mental health problems following a burn accident due to the negligence of others, call the experienced burn injury attorneys with Wagner Reese, LLP in Indiana today to arrange a free consultation. We will review your case and determine whether you can proceed with a lawsuit.

Since 1997, we have fought for the rights of victims who suffered devastating injuries because of others’ negligence. We continue that tradition today, ensuring our clients get the compensation they need and deserve.