Charlotte, NC Burn Injury Attorneys
Legal help for those injured in fires and explosions in Mecklenburg County
Whether a burn injury is a chemical burn, an electrical burn, or a burn caused by fire or scalding, the resulting injury can affect an individual’s life in a variety of ways. The mental and physical costs of recovering from a burn can seem overwhelming, as these injuries can leave victims suffering from tremendous pain and significant scarring and disfigurement.
When an injury isn’t your fault, proper compensation is critical to help pay for medical bills, physical therapy, and the counseling you may need to recover from the trauma of the injury. If you or somebody you care about has experienced a burn injury caused by someone’s careless or negligent actions, the Charlotte attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates are ready to help. Talk to our experienced legal team today to get the guidance and compensation to which you are entitled.
What would you like to know?
What are the degrees and types of burn injuries?
Because of the nature of burns, it’s important to understand both the degree and type of injury sustained. Different types of burn injuries require different types of treatment, and those with serious burns may be facing a long road to recovery. Medical professionals classify burn injuries as follows, from least severe to most severe:
- First-degree burns. Affecting only the most outer layer of the skin (the epidermis), a first-degree burn typically heals on its own. A common example is a sunburn. First-degree burns leave the skin red and painful, but with no blistering.
- Second-degree burns. A second-degree burn affects the epidermis and the dermis, which is the layer underneath. Skin becomes swollen, red, and blistered.
- Third-degree burns. These burns go through the first two layers of skin and also affect the subcutaneous tissue underneath. The area might appear white or blackened, and the victim may not feel pain, as nerve endings may be destroyed by the injury.
- Fourth-degree burns. Fourth-degree burns are severe and catastrophic, affecting every layer of the skin, nerves, and muscles. These injuries often lead to permanent disability or death.
Although burn injuries often occur due to fires, they also happen from other types of incidents and accidents. Common types of burn injuries include:
- Thermal burns, which happen when a person comes into contact with something hot – including flames, scalding liquids, steam, hot metal, and other high-temperature materials.
- Friction burns, often sustained in motorcycle accidents (also called “road rash”). A friction burn is like a combination of an abrasion and a thermal burn and can be extremely painful and lead to scarring and infection.
- Radiation burns, including burns from X-rays, certain cancer treatments, and bad sunburns.
- Chemical burns, caused by corrosive or toxic agents like solvents, acids, cleaners, and other dangerous substances.
- Electrical burns, which can occur from accidental contact with a live electrical current.
- Cold burns, like those caused by frostbite.
Burn injuries can cause a person to suffer pain and long-lasting physical disability. The Charlotte attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates launch a full investigation into your accident and injury to ensure the right people are held accountable.
What are some causes of Charlotte burn injuries?
Burn injuries can occur in any number of ways, but our attorneys see the following types of incidents and accidents most frequently:
- Motor vehicle accidents. In a car or truck accident, the gas from the vehicle can ignite, causing it to catch fire and potentially burn the passengers or rescue personnel. The National Fire Protection Association reports that, in 2018, 212,500 vehicle fires caused 560 civilian fatalities.
- Workplace accidents. Workers in certain industries are also at higher risk of burn injuries, including those in food service, industrial and manufacturing, firefighting and first responders, and construction.
- Explosions and fires. House fires killed 3,500 Americans in 2020 and injured another 15,200. Gas explosions are another danger, especially around gas and oil pipelines. The Colonial Pipeline, for example, runs through North Carolina and experienced a serious rupture in 2021.
- Defective products. Malfunctioning and dangerously designed products can unexpectedly catch fire or overheat, causing injury to the consumer. Common products causing burn injuries include space heaters, coffee makers, cleaners, or skincare products.
Often, the team at Price, Petho & Associates discovers that a person’s burn injury was caused by careless or negligent actions of another individual, business, or entity. We work to hold these parties responsible and ensure you secure compensation for your injuries and losses.
Google Reviews
I reached out to Price, Petho, and Associates after I found myself in need of an attorney for an accident I was in that led to personal injury. This was my first experience with something like this and they guided me through the process every step of the way. Every question I had was answered promptly and I truly feel they had my best interest at heart. I highly recommend them if you should find yourself in need of these services.
- C.P.
BEST ATTORNEYS
Price Petho and Associates are the best Attorneys in Law I’ve ever worked with. I was involved in a car accident last year and since I was injured, they handled my case and did not disappoint, they took care of everything. Also, my wife got rear ended in her car (total loss) about 6 months ago and my insurance company was delaying our claim and payment, we went to Price Petho and Associates again for some advice, Margaret E. Ford welcomed us right away, we explained the situation, she understood and explained to us what options we had. She was extremely knowledgeable about cases like this, she even called our insurance company for us and made them pay us the same day we talked to her. I’m very glad we asked for their help.
- Y. M.
What are the long-term effects of burn injuries?
Even after treatment of the initial injury, a serious burn can have life-altering consequences. The long-term effects and complications from a burn injury can affect a patient both physically and mentally. By far, the greatest risk from a severe burn is infection. Mount Sinai Hospital reports that over 10,000 Americans die each year from burn-related infections. Other potential complications include:
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Compromised immune system
- Cardiopulmonary arrest
- Increased risk of cancer at the burn site
- Respiratory issues (from smoke inhalation)
- Tightening of muscles, skin, and tissues (contracture)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, or depression
Our Charlotte attorneys work with your medical team to determine the true scope of your injuries, advocating for your best interests every step of the way.
What is the value of my Charlotte burn injury claim?
The attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates want to help you secure compensation from the person or parties responsible for your burn injury. We work to help our clients recover the following in the aftermath of severe and catastrophic injuries:
- Complete coverage of your medical bills
- Lost income if you cannot work due to your injuries
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injuries
- Coverage for physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
The amount of your financial recovery depends upon your specific and personal circumstances; however, we work with medical professionals, rehabilitation experts, life care planners, and financial experts to understand the full effect of your burns and scarring.
How long do I have to file my Charlotte burn injury case?
If you sustained a burn injury from another’s negligence, you have a limited amount of time to file a legal claim against the responsible party. The personal injury statute of limitations in North Carolina is three years from the date the injury occurred. Failure to file your claim within this period will likely result in ineligibility to recover damages, so it’s crucial to talk to an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. This allows our legal team to begin gathering evidence, submitting the proper paperwork, and building your case immediately.
Is there a burn injury attorney near me?
The main office of Price, Petho & Associates is located at 1430 Elizabeth Ave. in Charlotte, NC. We also maintain offices in Richmond County and Rutherford County, allowing the firm to serve clients across the state. If you are too injured to come to us, we make home and hospital visits.
Experienced Charlotte burn injury attorneys
After a catastrophic burn injury, you need serious legal assistance. The attorneys at Price, Petho & Associates have been serving the people of Charlotte for nearly 40 years, operating under the philosophy of providing the highest quality representation rather than focusing on business growth. We are the lawyers your friends and neighbors trust – contact us today to find out how we can help you with your case. Call 704-372-2160 or fill out our contact form. We serve clients throughout Charlotte, Rockingham, Rutherfordton, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Google Reviews
I reached out to Price, Petho, and Associates after I found myself in need of an attorney for an accident I was in that led to personal injury. This was my first experience with something like this and they guided me through the process every step of the way. Every question I had was answered promptly and I truly feel they had my best interest at heart. I highly recommend them if you should find yourself in need of these services.
- C.P.
BEST ATTORNEYS
Price Petho and Associates are the best Attorneys in Law I’ve ever worked with. I was involved in a car accident last year and since I was injured, they handled my case and did not disappoint, they took care of everything. Also, my wife got rear ended in her car (total loss) about 6 months ago and my insurance company was delaying our claim and payment, we went to Price Petho and Associates again for some advice, Margaret E. Ford welcomed us right away, we explained the situation, she understood and explained to us what options we had. She was extremely knowledgeable about cases like this, she even called our insurance company for us and made them pay us the same day we talked to her. I’m very glad we asked for their help.
- Y. M.