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When someone is burned, everything can change in seconds. The pain arrives immediately, but the real challenges often emerge in the days, weeks, and years that follow. Burn injuries represent some of the most physically and emotionally devastating harm a person can experience. Victims face not only excruciating pain but also lengthy hospital stays, multiple surgeries, permanent scarring, and psychological trauma that can last a lifetime.
At Trey Harrell Law Office, we represent burn injury victims throughout Summerville and the greater Charleston area. Our Summerville catastrophic injury lawyers know what it takes to build compelling cases that hold negligent parties accountable.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Summerville
Burn injuries happen in various settings throughout our community. Some occur at home, while others take place at work or in public spaces. These injuries often result from someone else’s carelessness or failure to maintain safe conditions.
- Workplace accidents account for many serious burns in Summerville. Restaurant workers suffer injuries from hot cooking oil and malfunctioning equipment. Construction workers encounter electrical hazards and chemical exposure. Industrial facilities present risks from steam lines, hot machinery, and volatile substances.
- Defective products cause burns in homes across South Carolina. Faulty space heaters ignite fires. Pressure cookers explode. Hair dryers and other appliances malfunction and cause severe thermal injuries. When manufacturers fail to design safe products or provide adequate warnings, victims have legal recourse.
- Vehicle accidents can lead to catastrophic burn injuries. Car fires may erupt after collisions. Fuel tanks rupture. Electrical systems spark. Truck accidents involving hazardous materials create especially dangerous situations for drivers, passengers, and bystanders.
- Property owners sometimes fail to maintain safe premises. Apartment complexes may have defective wiring that sparks fires. Hotels might lack proper fire suppression systems. Restaurants occasionally allow grease to accumulate, creating flash fire risks.
Types of Burn Injuries We Handle
Our firm represents clients who have suffered various classifications of burn injuries:
- First-degree burns that damage the outer skin layer and cause redness and pain
- Second-degree burns that penetrate deeper, creating blisters and potentially permanent scarring
- Third-degree burns that destroy all skin layers and often require extensive grafting procedures
- Fourth-degree burns that extend into muscle and bone, frequently resulting in amputation
Each category presents unique medical challenges. More severe burns typically require specialized treatment at burn centers. These facilities provide advanced care, but treatment comes with staggering costs that can quickly overwhelm families.
South Carolina Law and Burn Injury Claims
South Carolina operates under a modified comparative negligence system. This legal framework allows injured parties to recover damages even if they share some fault for an accident. However, if a victim bears more than 50 percent of the responsibility, they cannot recover any compensation. This rule appears in South Carolina Code Section 15-38-15.
The state also imposes time limits on filing personal injury lawsuits. There is a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including those involving burn injuries. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to pursue compensation through the courts.
Product liability cases follow special rules. When defective products cause burns, victims may pursue claims based on strict liability, negligence, or breach of warranty. South Carolina law does not require proof that the manufacturer acted carelessly.
The True Cost of Burn Injuries
Medical expenses for serious burns can reach into the millions. Initial emergency treatment often requires admission to specialized burn units. Patients may need multiple surgeries, including skin grafts harvested from other parts of their body or synthetic alternatives. Physical therapy continues for months or years as patients work to regain function and mobility.
Beyond direct medical costs, burn victims face numerous other financial burdens. Many cannot return to work for extended periods. Some never regain their previous earning capacity. Jobs requiring manual labor or customer interaction may become impossible when burns affect the hands, arms, or face.
Psychological counseling becomes necessary for many burn survivors. The trauma of the initial injury combines with anxiety about appearance and social interactions. Depression frequently develops. Post-traumatic stress disorder affects a significant percentage of severe burn victims.
Property damage adds to the financial strain when fires cause burns. Homes may be destroyed. Vehicles become total losses.
Building Your Burn Injury Case
Strong burn injury cases require solid evidence. Photographs of injuries document their severity and track healing progress. Medical records establish treatment timelines and link injuries directly to the incident. Witness statements corroborate your version of events.
Expert testimony often determines case outcomes. Burn specialists explain injury mechanisms and treatment protocols. Engineers might testify about product defects or building code violations. Economists calculate lost earning capacity and future medical expenses.
Documentation of how burns affect daily life strengthens claims for non-economic damages. Journals detailing pain levels, mobility limitations, and emotional struggles provide powerful evidence. Testimony from family members illustrates how injuries changed relationship dynamics and household functioning.
Steps to Take After a Burn Injury
Seeking immediate medical attention must be your top priority. Even burns that initially seem minor can develop complications. Professional evaluation ensures proper treatment and creates medical records that support future legal claims.
Reporting the incident creates an official record. If you suffered burns at work, notify your employer immediately. For burns occurring on someone else’s property, inform the property owner or manager. Document who you spoke with and when.
Preserving evidence helps protect your legal rights. Take photographs of the accident scene if possible. Keep damaged clothing and other items involved in the incident. Obtain contact information from witnesses who saw what happened.
Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before consulting a Summerville burn injury attorney. Insurance companies may use your words against you later. Politely decline and explain that you will have your lawyer contact them.
Areas We Serve in Summerville
Our Summerville burn injury lawyers represent burn injury victims throughout the Summerville area, including these zip codes:
- 29483: Covering central Summerville and established neighborhoods
- 29485: Serving the northern Summerville communities and growing residential areas
- 29486: Representing residents in southern Summerville and surrounding regions
- 29484: Assisting clients in western Summerville and adjacent localities
We also serve clients throughout Dorchester County and the broader Charleston metropolitan area. South Carolina residents from Berkeley County and surrounding communities trust our firm to handle their burn injury claims.
Contact Our Office Today
Do not let someone else’s negligence leave you facing mounting bills and an uncertain future. Our team stands ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Remember Trey Helps! Contact us today to schedule your case evaluation and take the first step toward rebuilding your life.
