Burn injuries are among the most devastating harms a person can endure. They often lead to prolonged pain, disfigurement, and emotional trauma that reach far beyond immediate medical expenses. In Georgia, determining the value of a burn injury claim involves far more than adding up hospital bills. It requires a careful evaluation of every way the injury has affected the victim’s life.
Understanding the Full Scope of Damages
When a person suffers a severe burn due to another’s negligence, the law allows recovery for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include measurable losses such as medical costs, rehabilitation, and lost wages. Non-economic damages, however, reflect the personal and emotional toll of living with a burn injury, and often make up a substantial portion of a claim’s value.
Because severe burns frequently require years of medical care and ongoing treatment, accurate damage calculation demands input from doctors, therapists, and financial experts. These professionals help forecast future costs and ensure victims receive compensation that reflects their lifetime needs, not just short-term expenses.
Beyond Medical Treatment: The Human Cost
Hospital bills tell only part of the story. Burn survivors often face painful rehabilitation, skin graft surgeries, and the need for reconstructive procedures. Even after healing, they may live with permanent scarring or contractures that limit mobility and cause daily discomfort.
The visible nature of burn injuries can also cause lasting emotional distress. Many survivors experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress as they adjust to physical changes. These emotional hardships are compensable under Georgia law. They must be documented through therapy records, expert testimony, and personal accounts that demonstrate how the injuries have affected daily life and mental health.
Loss of Livelihood and Future Earning Capacity
Severe burns often impair a person’s ability to work or continue in their chosen career. The loss of earning capacity — not just temporarily lost wages — must be factored into any comprehensive settlement evaluation. Our attorneys often collaborate with vocational experts to determine how the injury limits a victim’s ability to perform their previous job or obtain future employment.
This projection considers education, job skills, and age, ensuring that the financial consequences of the injury are fully recognized. For many survivors, regaining financial stability depends on securing compensation that accurately reflects the long-term disruption to their livelihood.
Pain, Suffering, and Disfigurement
The intensity of burn pain can be overwhelming, both during treatment and throughout recovery. Georgia courts recognize pain and suffering as legitimate damages, separate from economic loss. Similarly, visible disfigurement, particularly when it affects the face, hands, or other exposed areas, can profoundly impact self-esteem, relationships, and social interaction. The law allows compensation for this enduring emotional and psychological harm.
Documenting pain and disfigurement requires more than medical charts. Journals, photographs, and witness testimony help illustrate the daily challenges victims face, reinforcing the claim’s legitimacy and depth.
Why Legal Representation Is Essential
Because burn cases are complex and emotionally charged, having experienced legal counsel is vital. Insurance companies often undervalue claims by focusing solely on hospital expenses while ignoring lifelong consequences. A skilled attorney understands how to gather expert opinions, present evidence of pain and loss, and negotiate for the actual value of the case.
Contact Ashby Thelen Lowry Today
If you or someone you love sustained severe burns in Georgia, the Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Ashby Thelen Lowry are here to help. Our team understands the immense physical, emotional, and financial burden that follows these injuries and is committed to pursuing compensation that accounts for every aspect of your recovery.
Contact us today at (404) 777-7771 or reach us online for a free consultation and learn how we can help you move forward with confidence.