Charleston Burn Injury Lawyer

Advocating for Burn Injury Victims Across South Carolina

Sanders Law Firm, LLC represents burn victims in both state and federal courts. With an engineering degree from Clemson University (1989) and with a law degree from the University of South Carolina (1992), Thomas O. ("T.O.") Sanders, IV is one of the few attorneys in South Carolina with an engineering degree. His engineering background includes thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubble, T.O. Sanders understands burn injuries, how they occur, and what can be done to establish liability.

When we evaluate a claim, we carefully review medical records, fire reports, and product information to understand the mechanics of the burn and identify every potentially responsible party. This engineering-informed approach allows our firm to work effectively with fire investigators and medical professionals in Charleston and throughout South Carolina, so that we can build a clear narrative of what happened and why it should have been prevented.

If you or a loved one have been burned due to a defective product or the negligence of another party, we can help. Call (843) 573-8828 to speak with our Charleston personal injury lawyer today.

Common Types of Burn Injuries

Thermal Burns: May be caused by exploding e-cigarettes, flame, steam, hot metals, hot oil or grease, hot liquids, fireworks, space heaters, electrical malfunctions, or improperly stored flammable liquids such as gasoline.

Exploding e-cigarettes: Contain high-powered lithium-ion batteries, which are susceptible to exploding. Upon explosion, the cylindrical housing of the e-cigarette can act like a rifle barrel. Serious injuries to a user’s hands, mouth, and face can occur.

Gas Explosions: Can cause swift and severe thermal burns. Gas explosions may be caused by leaks combined with an ignition source. Gas explosions may be attributed to negligence, code violations, lack of information regarding the handling of gas, defective gas containers, inadequate ventilation, improper installation of gas lines, and unodorized natural gas (odor must be added to natural gas because it cannot be smelled in its natural state).

Plastic gas containers may explode if held near an open flame. A simple wire mesh flame arrestor could make every gas can safer, although very few have them. Without a flame arrestor, a flame may travel into the gas can, causing a bomb-like explosion. Exploding gas can shoot flaming gas, causing catastrophic burns to those nearby.

In many of these situations, it is not immediately obvious whether a manufacturer, property owner, contractor, or utility company bears legal responsibility for the conditions that led to the fire or explosion. We carefully examine product warnings, safety procedures, and compliance with applicable South Carolina building and fire codes to determine where safety broke down. By approaching these cases methodically, we can better position a burn injury attorney Charleston residents trust to pursue accountability from all parties who contributed to the harm.

The significant effects of burn injuries can include:

• Nerve damage
• Scarring
• Loss of motor function
• Emotional trauma

Unfortunately, burn injuries are often considered catastrophic because they result in disfigurement requiring ongoing medical care. Vigilant, knowledgeable counsel is needed to ensure that maximum recovery of money is achieved.

Beyond the physical damage, many burn survivors face lengthy hospital stays at facilities such as regional burn centers, followed by rehabilitation, counseling, and time away from work. Families often struggle with mounting medical bills and questions about how future surgeries, scar revision procedures, and assistive care will be financed. We work closely with treating physicians and life-care planners to understand the full scope of your needs so that any settlement demand or presentation in a Charleston County courtroom reflects the true long-term impact of the injury.

Compensation Available in Burn Injury Claims

Many people who contact us after a serious fire or explosion want to understand what types of financial compensation may be available and how those amounts are determined. While no two cases are the same, South Carolina law allows injured people to seek money for both immediate losses and long-term harm. As a burn injury lawyer Charleston residents can turn to, we look beyond the first hospital bill to evaluate how the injury may affect every area of your life going forward.

In a typical burn case, recoverable damages may include emergency treatment, surgeries, hospitalization, medications, and follow-up care, as well as rehabilitation therapies and psychological counseling. We also evaluate lost wages if you miss work, diminished future earning capacity if you cannot return to the same job, and out-of-pocket costs such as travel for treatment or modifications to your home. In more severe cases, we document the need for future procedures, home health assistance, and adaptive equipment so those costs are fully presented during negotiations or trial.

Burn injuries also cause significant non-economic harm that does not show up on a receipt or invoice. We work with you and your family to explain how pain, permanent scarring, disfigurement, sleep disruption, and loss of enjoyment of former activities have changed your daily experience. When appropriate, we may use photographs, journal entries, or testimony from friends and relatives to help a jury in Charleston County or another South Carolina venue understand the full weight of these losses, so any resolution reflects both the visible and invisible impact of the injury.

Get Legal Help from Our Charleston Burn Injury Lawyer

Each year, millions of people are burned. A catastrophic burn injury is traumatic, upsetting, and life-changing.  Death may result. Expensive, specialized medical treatment and long-term care are usually required. Sanders Law Firm, LLC can investigate and collect the evidence. We consult with any needed medical experts to prove the negligent behavior. In these cases, the responsible parties will do everything they can to lessen their exposure and to marginalize your claim. Our dedicated Charleston burn injury lawyer is ready to fight for you by clearly and compellingly presenting your case.

When you contact us after a fire, explosion, or chemical burn, we start by listening carefully to your account and reviewing any reports from local agencies such as the Charleston Fire Department or law enforcement. We then gather photographs, witness statements, and maintenance or product records to preserve crucial evidence before it is lost or altered. Throughout the process, we keep you informed about how South Carolina personal injury laws, including statutes of limitation and damage rules, may affect your options so you can make informed decisions about settlement or litigation.

Some burn cases may resolve through negotiations with insurance carriers, while others require filing a lawsuit in a court such as the Charleston County Court of Common Pleas or the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. We prepare every case as if it may go to trial, which allows us to present your injuries and losses in a detailed and persuasive way during settlement discussions. By approaching your claim with this level of preparation, a burn injury lawyer that Charleston residents turn to can pursue fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain and emotional distress caused by severe burns.

Partner with us during this critical time. Contact us today to discuss your case.