Roanoke Burn Injury Lawyer

Severe burns are devastating injuries. Burn injury victims face severe pain, permanent disfigurement, and significant financial distress. If someone else’s negligence caused you to suffer this harm, you should seek help from an experienced Roanoke burn injury lawyer to protect your rights and seek the accountability and compensation you deserve.

Marks & Harrison has proudly represented injured Roanoke clients for over 100 years. In that time, we’ve amassed a track record of substantial settlements and verdicts, including some of the largest cases in Virginia history, and developed a reputation for providing our clients the highest level of service.

You don’t have to face the aftermath of your burn injuries alone. Contact us today for a free consultation about your case and learn more about how we can help you.

What Causes Burn Injuries in Roanoke?

Burn injuries can happen anywhere, whether you’re on I-581 during rush hour, working construction near Tanglewood Mall, or even in your own home. Some of the most common causes of burns in Roanoke include the following:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents — Motor vehicle accidents, especially high-speed ones, trigger fires and explosions. Our area sees its fair share of these devastating crashes on major roads like U.S. Route 220 and I-80.
• Construction accidents — As Roanoke continues to grow, construction sites and the risks that come with them will be a significant part of our city. Causes of burns on construction sites include equipment malfunction, electrical hazards, and chemical exposure.
• Defective products — Household products like personal electronics and appliances can cause catastrophic injuries when they fail to operate safely and appropriately when people use them as intended.
• Electrical accidents — Faulty wiring, poorly maintained electrical systems, and improper installations can lead to electrical burns. Liability may fall on landlords, utility companies, or maintenance companies when these catastrophic injuries occur.

What Are Different Types of Burn Injuries?

The most common types of burns include the following:

• Thermal burns
• Chemical burns
• Electrical burns
• Radiation burns
• Friction burns.

Each type of burn has unique legal considerations. Our Roanoke burn injury lawyers have handled cases involving all of them. They know how to investigate the accident, establish liability, and seek maximum compensation for your injuries.

What Are Different Degrees of Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries may be classified by degree. The degree depends on how deep the injury reaches beneath the skin. The order of those degrees is as follows:

• First degree — When the burn affects only the outer layer of skin. While these injuries are painful and debilitating, they will likely heal without long-term damage.
• Second degree — These burns penetrate beneath the skin, causing blistering, swelling, and potentially scarring. Severe second-degree burns can cause permanent nerve damage, chronic pain, and skin color changes.
• Third degree — These burns destroy the first three layers of skin, limit mobility, and cause permanent disfigurement, nerve damage, and chronic pain.
• Fourth degree — These burns reach beneath the skin to muscle, tissue, and bone. Treatment may require reconstructive surgery or amputation.

All degrees of burns can have devastating impacts on your life. If someone else’s negligence caused your burn injuries, they should be held accountable.

What Could Be the Lasting Effects of a Burn Injury?

Burns are often catastrophic injuries. They can cause severe pain and permanent disfigurement and carry lifelong psychological impacts. Burn victims often face:

• Chronic pain
• Nerve damage
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Mobility limitations
• Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Diminished earning capacity.

While no amount of money can reverse the accident, the sense of justice and the financial stability your burn injury claim may provide can serve as critical support on the road to your recovery.

Who Could Be Held Liable for My Burn Injuries?

Burn injury claims are complicated. Liability may fall on several parties depending on the nature of the case. Some of the common responsible parties include:

• Negligent drivers
• Property owners or landlords
• Employers or general contractors
• Utility companies
• Product manufacturers.

At Marks & Harrison, our Roanoke burn injury attorneys are ready to establish liability and build the strongest case possible as you focus on your health. We often work with medical experts, investigators, and accident reconstruction specialists with extensive experience in these cases.

Could I Be Compensated for My Burn Injuries?

If someone else’s negligence caused your burn injuries, you may be entitled to compensation that includes:

• Medical expenses — Ambulance services, ER visits, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, medical devices, medications, physical therapy and rehabilitation, and future medical costs related to your injuries
• Lost wages — Hourly wages or salary, commissions and tips, missed raises or promotions, sick days and vacation time, medical benefits, and future lost wages
• Pain and suffering — Compensation for the physical pain and mental anguish your burn injuries have caused
• Disfigurement — Compensation for the emotional trauma of any permanent disfigurement caused by the accident.

How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Virginia?

Under Virginia law, you typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a burn injury lawsuit. In some instances, exceptions extend the deadline, such as when a burn victim is a minor or is mentally incapacitated following the incident. However, most burn injury cases will be subject to the two-year window.

While it may seem like you have a lot of time to seek compensation, the reality is that the legal process takes time, insurance companies attempt to stall, and crucial evidence can be lost or destroyed if you wait too long to seek it. That’s why you should contact a lawyer as soon as you can after a burn injury.

Contact a Roanoke Burn Injury Lawyer

If you’ve suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence, Marks & Harrison can help. Our experienced personal injury attorneys are dedicated to seeking justice and rightful compensation for all our Roanoke clients. We will fight to protect your rights and negotiate aggressively for the settlement you need to move forward. Contact us today for your free consultation.