I Suffered Disfiguring Burns in South Carolina: Can I Sue?
If you have suffered disfiguring burns in South Carolina, you might be wondering whether you can file a lawsuit. Your lawsuit could potentially provide you with enough compensation to cover medical bills, missed earnings, and psychological damages. Is suing even possible in this scenario? Who might you hold accountable? You can raise questions such as these with an experienced burn injury lawyer in South Carolina.
When Might a Disfiguring Burn Lead to a Valid Lawsuit?
Disfiguring burns can only lead to valid lawsuits in certain situations. To put it simply, you must blame someone else for the injury. If no one else caused or contributed to your burn, you may be out of luck.
One obvious example is a car accident. Vehicles are extremely flammable, and this extends even to battery-powered EVs. A crash can easily spark a fire, and you have suffered disfiguring burns after being trapped inside the wreckage of your vehicle. In this situation, you could potentially sue the at-fault driver who caused your fiery crash.
Another example is a product liability claim. Perhaps you used some kind of kitchen appliance that burst into flames, causing you to suffer disfiguring facial burns. Maybe you were using a power tool when it exploded in your face. Various consumer items can catch fire or explode, and these incidents can lead to valid lawsuits against the relevant manufacturers/designers.
You might also sue a property owner for contributing to your burns. Perhaps you ordered a flaming dish at a restaurant, and the waitress spilled the flaming food onto your lap. Maybe you were burned by scalding-hot liquids after a staff member handed you a beverage through a drive-thru window. Whatever the case may be, property owners can be liable for various types of burns.
What if I Caused My Own Burns?
If you caused your own burns, you may assume that a lawsuit is impossible. However, this is not always the case in South Carolina. Like many other states, South Carolina operates under a “modified comparative negligence” system. Under this system, a victim can still file a lawsuit if they partially caused their own burns. However, if you were the “main cause” of your own injuries, a lawsuit may be impossible. In other words, you cannot sue if you were more than 50% responsible for the accident that caused your burns.
How Do I Prove Someone Else Caused My Burns?
If you want to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for your burns, you must prove negligence. This involves collecting medical records, establishing that the defendant owed you a “duty of care,” and showing that they breached this duty in some way. Your lawyer can help you collect the necessary evidence to prove negligence.
Can a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in South Carolina Help Me?
A catastrophic injury lawyer in South Carolina may be able to help if you’re recovering from disfiguring burns. Although you may be struggling psychologically, compensation could potentially help pay for reconstructive surgery and other treatments. Speak with Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC for further guidance.
Source:
scstatehouse.gov/code/t15c038.php
