What Is the Average Burn Injury Settlement?

Burns are serious injuries that cause numerous health risks, permanent damage to nerves and tissues, as well as emotional trauma. If you were hurt in an accident that resulted in severe burns, you are likely owed compensation for those losses if someone else caused your losses. At John Foy & Associates, our trusted Atlanta burn injury lawyer will help you recover the damages you are owed.

Burn Injury Settlement Amounts

Burn injury settlement amounts depend on the extensiveness of the burn, the location, the pain involved, and the type of care needed. According to the CDC, nearly 400,000 burn injuries received medical treatment in ERs across the country. Burns are very serious injuries with long-term implications and horrific injuries. 

There are several degrees of severity associated with burns, with each degree getting more severe and creating a higher level of damage. Keep in mind that the severity of burns nearly always leads to a higher level of compensation from damages because of the more complex care needed and the potential for complications or impact on your life. Every case is very different, though, and that is why our team will always calculate your losses based on your specific experiences.

Each type of burn can cause different levels of damage. Know what type of burns you sustained when they occurred. Knowing the type of burn you received can help to determine what type and level of compensation you could receive, so read our FAQs to learn more.

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First-Degree Burn Settlement Amounts

A first-degree burn is the least serious. Most will only cause minor damage to the first layer of the skin. These injuries typically lead to full recovery.

These types of degrees can cause some damage in some situations including redness of the skin, swelling, and dryness, much like a sunburn. These often will heal without lasting damage though some scarring is possible.

Depending on the situation, the average settlement for first-degree burns can be much less than you might expect. It may be much less than this if there are few resulting medical bills or complications. Most of the time, you are not likely to need an attorney for these injuries.

Second-Degree Burn Settlement Amounts

A second-degree burn is one where damage is more severe to the outermost layer of the skin and enters the dermis or second layer. These burns can cause bright red discoloration and swelling. Depending on the severity of the damage, they may not fully heal.

There is a lot of risk present in these types of burns, with some people suffering much more loss than others. In some situations, just the upper portion of the dermis is impacted, which may allow full recovery. For others, scarring, skin discoloration, and sometimes disfiguring losses, as well as damage to nerves, can occur.

Third-degree burns cause damage to nerve endings and create long-term medical complications. You may spend a significant amount of time in the hospital and may need more than one procedure. Because of the complexity of these burns, they may have a settlement amount that is significantly higher than a 1st degree burn victim’s case.

Third-Degree Burn Settlement Amounts

As a much more severe type of burn, third-degree burns can be significant, causing damage to the outer layer and the dermis of the skin. These burns, which are sometimes called full-thickness burns, can lead to damaged skin. Over time, these burns can worsen and lead to significant damage.

In addition to this, third-degree burns will also cause nerve endings, impacting sensory factors, and may lead to significant damage to tissues, tendons, and muscles. All of this complicates matters even more so for recovery. Some people will suffer infections and other complications, and it is possible that these burns can be so significant that they cause fatalities.

Third-degree burn settlement amounts are often much higher as a result. Depending on the damage and the implications for health and well-being, these settlements can wind up being some of the larger settlements in these types of injury cases. It is critical to work with an attorney in these situations.

Fourth-Degree Burn Settlement Amounts

The most severe type of burns, fourth-degree burns, often lead to the most damage, causing significant damage to all layers of skin and into the subcutaneous tissues. These burns may cause damage to fascia, bones, and muscles. The pain is incredible, and recovery is very challenging.

There is nearly always significant burn damage to the skin and a person is not likely to fully recover from this. Scarring, at the very least, is a risk, but most people will also face amputation, especially if burns lead to toxins entering the bloodstream. The risks of infections can be complicated.

In these situations, fourth-degree burn settlement amounts will often range widely but be in the millions. In situations where burns are much worse, there is a high risk of death or a shortened lifespan. That can increase losses even further.

How to Determine What Your Losses Are After a Burn Injury

When a burn injury like this occurs, it is critical for you to seek out medical care and specialist care. You also need a very skilled attorney to work with you to ensure your losses are fully understood and examined. This is key since the damage in more severe burns is much higher.

• Your losses are more. Many people will have long-term and permanent injuries.
• The quality of your life is likely to be impacted, including relationships, activities, and ability to work.
• You may have emotional trauma, as most people do, from such a traumatic event.
• Chronic pain is common.
• Disfigurement is also very common.

With the help of a burn injury attorney, you will gain more insight and support in recovering the damages owed to you. You need the highest level of competition possible simply because your care needs will be numerous and could extend for the rest of your life. Allow our attorney to guide and support you through this process, and be sure to review our results.

Set Up a Free Consultation to Discuss Your Case with Us Now

Work with our burn injury settlement attorneys to ensure you get a fair level of coverage for your losses. At John Foy & Associates, we take your case seriously and fight for full compensation. Contact us now for a free consultation.