Chattanooga Burn Injury Attorneys

Diligently fighting for the financial compensation your injuries deserve

The American Burn Association reports that approximately 486,000 people received medical treatment for burn injuries during 2016. Unfortunately, many of these cases resulted from someone else’s negligence. At Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers, we provide burn victims with the compassionate legal counsel they deserve. Our lawyers understand the severity of burn injuries and the massive consequences that a burn injury can have on a person’s life. That is why we diligently work to hold negligent parties responsible for these tragic harms in order to get the compensation victims need.

Experienced representation for all types of burn injuries

Our experienced Chattanooga burn injury attorneys have helped burn victims with varying levels of injury. Medically, burns are classified by degree of severity as follows:

• First-degree burns. These injuries solely harm the outer layer of the skin, causing redness and swelling. First degree burns are considered minor, regardless of where they occur on the body. Treatment usually consists of antibiotic skin ointment applied to the skin, along with pain management medication.
• Second-degree burns. These injuries cause harm to the outer and underlying layers of skin. They are considered minor if measuring less than 2 to 3 inches wide. However, if second-degree burns cover a larger area of the body, or are located on the hands, feet, face, groin or buttocks, they are considered major burns. Physicians also classify second-degree burns as major injuries if they are located over a major joint in the body. These burns routinely cause blistering along with redness and swelling. In most cases, treatment is similar to first-degree burn treatment. However, the most severe cases may require skin grafting to replace the burned skin.
• Third-degree burns. These are the most serious types of burns, affecting the deepest layers of skin. Also called full thickness burns, they cause the charred skin to turn white or blackened. Victims may also lose feeling in the area of the burn due to extensive nerve damage. Third-degree burns are classified as major injuries, regardless of where they occur on the body. Healing can take months or even years, with some victims never experiencing a full recovery. Skin grafting is commonly required for third-degree burns.

There are groups which classify fourth and even fifth-degree burns, but not every medical organization agrees. The truth is, a burn classified as more serious than third-degree is almost certainly fatal. We can speak about filing a wrongful death claim if the burn injuries were severe enough to lead to the death of your loved one. Otherwise, we can help you plan a path forward if you or your loved one suffered a catastrophic personal injury as a result of a fire, a chemical burn, an electrical burn, or other event.

Fighting for your long-term burn injury needs

The danger of a severe burn injury includes more than the burn itself. Without the outer skin layer, the body loses a major source of protection from outside pathogens, which makes infection a major source of concern. As reported by Medscape, 61% of all burn deaths are caused by related infections. Hospitals try to prevent infections by administering antibiotics and routinely changing the wound dressing, but studies show that the most resistant pathogens still pose a major health concern for burn patients.

Muscle contracture also creates long term consequences for burn patients. As the burned skin begins to scar, it can also tighten. Sometimes, particularly when the burn is located over a joint, the tightening causes the patient to lose range of motion. In the most severe cases, the patient may completely lose the ability to move affected areas of the body all together. Contractures do not heal on their own, often requiring extensive surgery and physical rehabilitation.

The knowledgeable burn injury lawyers of Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers understand the long-term suffering that a burn injury patient endures, including prolonged pain and the psychological effects of visible scarring. That is why we work to secure a compensation amount that takes every aspect of your injury into account. We want our clients to live the best life possible and it shows in the personal attention we give to each of them.

Trust Chattanooga burn injury lawyers with more than seven decades of proven personal injury experience

If you or a family member experienced a burn injury, secure of services of the skilled lawyers at Wagner Workers Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers. We serve clients in North Georgia, Cleveland and Chattanooga, TN and the surrounding counties. Call us today at 423-756-7923 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. Trust us to fight for your best interests after a burn injury.