Not only one of the most painful injuries one can endure, burns can cause long-term disfigurement, lead to infections, nerve damage, and more. Did you suffer a burn in Orangeburg County? If so, you may have legal options.
Our Orangeburg burn injury lawyer from The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers can advocate for you. Since 1959, we have secured compensation and justice for thousands of injured South Carolinians. We offer free case reviews so we can learn about your situation and explain how our team can help.
The Benefits of Partnering With Our Orangeburg Burn Injury Lawyers
When you bring your case to The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers:
We Evaluate Your Case
We offer free, no-obligation case reviews to every person who calls us. Do not feel intimidated by this process we simply have a discussion where you can share your story with our team, and then we explain your legal options.
During your case review, you can:
- Get answers to your case-specific questions
- Learn more about contingency fees and what they mean to you
- Share what happened before, during, and after your injury
- Explain what you are hoping to pursue
We want to know everything about your situation, so we can implement a course of action that brings a positive resolution to your case.
We Investigate
Every burn injury claim needs one crucial thing: evidence. The more information we have to support your claim, the better.
Therefore, we may find and use:
- Photos of your injuries
- Video footage of the incident (if available)
- Police reports
- Testimony from witnesses
- Statements from healthcare providers
- Your medical treatment records
Information like this can support your legal right to damages.
We Work to Prove Negligence
As the American Bar Association explains, we must prove negligence to recover compensation.
This involves showing:
- Duty of care. The other party had a duty to keep you safe or exercise reasonable caution.
- Breach of duty. The other party breached this duty by acting carelessly or recklessly. They might have even failed to do something, like keeping an
- Causation. The other party’s breach caused you to suffer burns.
- Damages. You have damages resulting from your burn injury.
If a defective product burned you, we must draw a connection between the product’s usage and your injuries. We do not have to prove negligence.
We Can File Your Insurance Claim
The at-fault party may have insurance. For example, if a car accident burned you, South Carolina requires all motorists to carry liability insurance. In that instance, you could file a claim with the at-fault driver’s policy.
However, not all insurance companies want to settle. The liable insurer may throw up roadblocks, hoping you will drop your case. That’s where our burn injury lawyers come in.
We can:
- Calculate your damages
- Identify the liable policy
- Send your demand letter
- File your claim
- Negotiate a settlement
Our team can also protect you against unscrupulous insurance tactics, such as pressuring you to accept a lowball settlement or making a recorded statement they can use against you.
We Can File a Civil Lawsuit
We hope to resolve your case through insurance negotiations. However, sometimes this is not possible. Do not worry, we can file a lawsuit and hold the at-fault party accountable in court.
Representing you in a lawsuit involves:
- Abiding by the statute of limitations
- Supporting your case with evidence
- Taking depositions from witnesses
- Consulting with experts (such as healthcare professionals)
- Exchanging information with the defense team
- Advocating for you in court
We implement customized legal strategies for each case we manage. Your goals are our goals. We want to recover everything you need to make a full recovery.
Pursuing Financial Recovery for Burn Injuries in South Carolina
As you explore your legal options for financial recovery, consider that:
South Carolina Imposes a Filing Deadline on Injury Lawsuits
You may have to file a lawsuit to recover compensation, which means you must comply with all statutory deadlines. Per South Carolina law, you generally have three years to file an injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
The court system refuses to hear cases filed outside this three-year window. Consult a lawyer promptly, as doing so could protect your right to seek damages.
You Pay Nothing Out of Pocket for Our Help
The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers represents injured people on contingency, which means:
- We base our attorney’s fees on the specifics of your case
- You do not pay any upfront or out-of-pocket costs
- We finance all filing costs, consulting fees, and other case-related obligations
- A portion of your settlement pays for our services
We want to make legal help accessible to every burn victim in South Carolina. You do not have to stress about affording our services instead, give our team a call and focus on feeling better.
You Do Not Have to Navigate This Process Alone
The at-fault party and their insurance company may dissuade you from securing legal help, but they do not have your best interests in mind. You have every right to partner with a Orangeburg burn injury lawyer.
With our injury team on your side, you can:
- Spend more time with your loved ones
- Avoid the stressors of a complex legal case
- Prioritize your physical and emotional recovery
Partner with The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers, and we can fight for everything you need to make the best possible recovery.
Causes of Burn Injuries in Orangeburg, SC
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences notes that electricity, steam, heat, chemicals, and radiation are the leading causes of burn injuries.
These can arise from:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents, especially those involving tanker trucks
- Property hazards, such as exposed wiring
- Defective products, like badly designed or made gas cans
- Construction accidents
- On-the-job accidents
If another party caused your burn injury, regardless of how it occurred, you can hold them liable for your losses.
Compensation for Your Burn-Related Losses in Orangeburg
Our firm has 80+ years of combined legal experience, so we are very familiar with South Carolina law and Orangeburg’s legal system. We aim to resolve your case through a claim or lawsuit.
Awarded compensation may cover:
Your Past, Present, and Future Healthcare Costs
Your recoverable healthcare expenses may include:
- Emergency medical care
- Pain relief medications
- Prescription creams and ointments
- Skin grafts
- Doctor appointments
- Reconstructive surgery
- Residency in a care facility
- Rehabilitation
Your medical needs after a burn injury should not jeopardize your finances. Our lawyers can pursue the responsible party for your treatment costs.
Lost Income
Whether you work part-time or full-time, you can pursue your lost income, such as:
- Salary
- Hourly wages
- Bonuses
- Commissions
- Tips
- Employee benefits (such as paid time off)
- Other forms of income
Loss of Future Earning Capacity
A burn injury can greatly impact your career. For instance, third-degree burns can forever impair your mobility. A burn may prevent you from working at your current job or any physically demanding job, like construction.
Damages for loss of future earning capacity can reimburse you for any harm to your future earning power.
Pain and Suffering
You may pursue compensation for pain and suffering if:
- Your burn injury affects your quality of life
- You cannot partake in activities you once enjoyed
- You have developed depression or anxiety
- Your burn injury hurts your self-image
South Carolina does not limit how much you can pursue for pain and suffering, so you may recover exactly what you need without an imposed limit.
Wrongful Death Expenses
Our hearts go out to you and your family if you lost a loved one. We understand how burn injuries can quickly take a person’s life.
Our wrongful death lawyers serving Orangeburg can fight for:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- End-of-life care costs
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of parental guidance and household benefits
- Loss of the decedent’s income
- Other related expenses, such as hospice
This is not a complete list of recoverable damages. You could also recover additional losses specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injury Cases in Orangeburg
Right now, you may be wondering:
Can I Recover Damages if I Was Burned at Work?
You could recover damages through multiple avenues if you suffered a burn injury on the job:
- If another party’s negligence caused your burn injuries, you can file an injury claim or lawsuit to recover damages. If a defective power tool (or any other product) burned you, you could sue the product’s manufacturer.
- If you were burned while performing job-related tasks, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. The South Carolina Bar confirms that the Workers’ Compensation Act in South Carolina can help you recover medical bills and lost income.
Our team can manage your burn injury claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Do My Burn Injuries Warrant Compensation?
During your free case review, we can evaluate the specifics of your case and affirmatively answer this question.
In general, you can pursue damages if you suffered harm because of another party, including multiple types of burn injuries
You may have other injuries in addition to burns. For instance, if you suffered a road rash, you may have broken bones or a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Whatever the situation may be, our team can help.
Do I Have to Accept the Insurance Company’s First Offer?
Absolutely not! Your Orangeburg burn injury lawyer can seek the best possible settlement for your situation. You have the final word when accepting any settlement. But you do not have to accept an unfair offer we can keep negotiating for what you need.
How Long Does It Take to Recover Damages?
Every case progresses differently. Some resolve in a matter of days, while others can take months or even years. How long your case will take depends on your situation. Your lawyer can combat any challenges that prevent your case from moving forward.
What to Do After Your Burn Injury in Orangeburg?
Taking these measures could help protect your right to compensation:
Document Your Condition
Take pictures of your injuries throughout your recovery period. Also, write down the names of your prescribed medications. You want to show the insurer that because you suffered harm, you deserve damages.
Do Not Share Information Online
Keep any case-sensitive information between you and your lawyer. If you share anything about your case on social media, it becomes a public record. A claims adjuster could access that information and use it to contest your case.
Leave All Communications to Your Lawyer
The insurance company may ask you for a recorded statement. Giving a statement does not benefit you it’s not even necessary. The insurer hopes that by giving a recorded statement, you will somehow refute your case. For instance, you might admit some fault for the incident or downplay your injuries while putting on a brave face.
Your lawyer can handle all communications with the insurance company. Once you have legal help, you do not have to communicate with any other parties.
Complete Your Treatment Plan
It’s one thing to seek medical care immediately after getting hurt. Following and finishing your treatment plan is also essential. You want to show the insurance company that you did everything possible to better your condition. Otherwise, they could question the severity of your injuries.
Begin Your Free Case Review With Our Orangeburg Burn Injury Lawyers
We want you to focus on healing, not on navigating a complicated claim or lawsuit. The burn injury lawyers at The Louthian Firm Accident & Injury Lawyers can start working on your case today.
During your free, no-obligation case review, we can address your concerns and answer your questions.
This is your chance to get the justice and financial recovery you need. Contact us today at 803-592-6231 to get started.
