A severe burn is one of the most painful and traumatic injuries a person can endure. Beyond the initial agony, a serious burn can leave a victim with permanent scars, physical disabilities, and deep emotional wounds. In Wisconsin, many of these life-altering injuries are the result of preventable accidents caused by the carelessness of others.
If you are recovering from a burn injury sustained in an accident, you are likely facing a long and difficult road. The physical and emotional healing process can be arduous, and the medical bills can be overwhelming. The dedicated Wisconsin burn injury lawyers at Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC are here to help you fight for the financial resources you need to rebuild your life.
More Than Just Fire: The Unexpected Causes of Burn Injuries
While open flames are a common cause of burns, many serious burn injuries result from other types of accidents. It is important to understand how these injuries can happen.
- Vehicle Accidents: A high-impact car or truck crash can rupture a fuel tank and cause a fire. But burns can also occur from contact with hot engine parts, scalding steam from a broken radiator, or exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- Workplace Incidents: Many Wisconsin workers in industrial, construction, and food service settings are at risk for burns. These can be caused by electrical accidents, chemical spills, explosions, or contact with hot equipment or liquids.
- Defective Products: We trust the products we use every day to be safe. When a product is defective, it can cause serious harm. A faulty water heater, a defective electrical device, or a flammable piece of clothing can all lead to severe burn injuries.
Understanding the Severity: The Degrees of a Burn
Medical professionals classify burns based on how deeply they damage the skin and underlying tissues. This classification, known as the degree of the burn, helps determine the necessary treatment and the potential for long-term complications.
- First-Degree Burns: The mildest type, affecting only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). They cause redness and pain but typically heal without scarring.
- Second-Degree Burns: These burns damage both the epidermis and the layer beneath it (the dermis). They are characterized by pain, redness, swelling, and blistering. Scarring is possible.
- Third-Degree Burns: The most severe type, these burns destroy all layers of the skin and can damage the fat, muscle, and even bone beneath. The burn site may appear white, black, or charred, and because nerve endings are destroyed, there may be no pain. These injuries always require extensive medical intervention.
The Aftermath: Long-Term Challenges for Burn Survivors
The journey to recovery after a severe burn is often long and fraught with challenges. The initial injury is just the beginning of a process that can affect a person’s physical and mental health for the rest of their life.
The Constant Threat of Infection
Our skin is our primary barrier against infection. When a burn destroys this barrier, the body is left vulnerable to dangerous bacteria. Preventing and treating infections is a top priority in burn care and a major challenge for survivors.
The Pain of Healing and Scarring
Recovering from a severe burn is an incredibly painful process. It often involves multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, where healthy skin is taken from another part of the body to cover the burn wound. Even after the wounds have healed, the resulting scars can be disfiguring and can restrict movement, sometimes requiring years of physical therapy and additional surgeries.
The Invisible Wounds
The emotional and psychological trauma of a burn injury can be just as debilitating as the physical scars. Many survivors struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Learning to live with a changed appearance can be a difficult and lifelong adjustment.
Your Right to Justice and Compensation
When a burn injury is caused by the negligence of another person or company, you have the right to hold them accountable. A personal injury claim can provide the financial means to cover the immense costs associated with a burn injury. A comprehensive claim seeks compensation for:
- All medical care, from the emergency room to long-term rehabilitation
- The cost of future surgeries for scar revision or functional improvement
- Lost wages and any impact on your future ability to earn a living
- The intense physical pain and emotional suffering you have endured
- Compensation for permanent scarring and disfigurement
Why You Need a Skilled Burn Injury Attorney
Burn injury cases are highly complex. They require a deep understanding of the medicine involved and the ability to prove the full, long-term impact of the injury. The insurance companies will often try to downplay the severity of the injury and the cost of future care.
The attorneys at Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, LLC have the experience and the resources to take on these tough cases. We work with a network of medical experts, life care planners, and vocational specialists to build a powerful case that demonstrates the true cost of your injury. We are committed to fighting for the maximum compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious burn injury in Wisconsin, contact us today for a free consultation. Let us handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing. You will not pay us a fee unless we recover money for you.