Burn Injuries

Georgia Burn Injury Attorney

Atlanta personal injury lawyer Stephen M. Ozcomert earned his place among Georgia’s “Super Lawyers” and “Legal Elite” through dedicated service and meaningful results for his clients. For over 20 years, he has represented personal injury victims, including those burned in accidents caused by the negligence of others. Mr. Ozcomert provides individualized service to burn injury victims throughout Georgia, working to help them get their lives back on track.

Burn Injuries

Burns describe varying degrees of injury to the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by heat, radiation, electricity, or contact with chemicals. Burn injuries also include respiratory damage caused by inhalation of smoke and toxic fumes. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 200,000 deaths occur each year from fires alone, over 95% of which occur in low and middle-income households. Burns are among the 15 leading causes of death among children, yet rank among the top 5 “most preventable accidents” in the world. Preventable burn injuries are generally caused by negligence or the breach of a legal duty to use care, resulting in an avoidable accident. It is important to consult with Atlanta burn injury lawyer Stephen M. Ozcomert for advice and guidance. If your injury was due to another’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation.

Negligent Conduct Leading to Burn Injuries

At home and at work, people are exposed to various external sources that can cause burns. Fires, electricity, hot objects, scalding liquids, and common chemicals can cause burns. Most accidents involving these sources would not have happened but for the reckless conduct of another. Preventable burn injuries caused by negligence often involve:

• Motor vehicle accidents
  • Flammable cargo
  • Electrical explosions
  • Release of toxic fumes
• Dangers on property
  • Chemical spills
  • Exposure to toxins
  • High-voltage outlets
• Medical malpractice
  • Scalding liquids
  • Hospital negligence
  • Delay in burn treatment
• Defective products
  • Radiators, heaters
  • Flammable textiles
  • Chemical peels/creams

The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §25-2-32.2 requires local governing bodies to investigate reported burn injuries and ascertain the cause of suspicious fires or explosions. Georgia law further requires that authorities assist in the prosecution of alleged criminal activity. Burn injury victims may also be entitled to civil damages when a fire has caused them harm.

Burn Injury Liability

Georgia law imposes liability on negligent parties who are found to be legally responsible for other people’s burn injuries. Careless drivers, commercial truckers, medical providers, and manufacturers may be liable for mistakes or accidents that cause burns. Injured victims may be entitled to several kinds of damages, including those related to:

• Lost income
• Hospital bills
• Future surgery
• Continuing care
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

OCGA §44-14-470 allows traumatic burn care practices to impose a medical lien on the patient for treatment of burn injuries. Because burn treatment is often extensive and very costly, it is important that victims are able to recover the full extent of medical expenses from negligent parties if possible. Atlanta burn injury lawyer Stephen M. Ozcomert can help.

Dedicated Personal Injury Advocate

If you or someone you love has suffered a burn injury, Atlanta burn injury attorney Stephen M. Ozcomert can help. From our Decatur and Atlanta offices, we have served personal and burn injury victims across Georgia for over 20 years. We draw upon our extensive experience to thoroughly investigate the cause of your harm and identify all negligent parties. Whether the accident involved negligence by a driver, medical malpractice, premises liability, or a dangerous product, we can help you seek the compensation you and your family deserve. Call (404) 370-1000 today for a free consultation or contact us online.