Georgia Chemical Attack: Understanding Your Rights in a Burn Injury Lawsuit

In Georgia, if you’ve suffered burn injuries due to a chemical attack or exposure, understanding your legal rights is crucial. Chemical burns can result in excruciating pain, permanent disfigurement, and a lifetime of medical care. According to a 2019 study, chemical burns account for approximately 11% of all burns and 30% of deaths related to burn injuries [9]. This underscores the severity and potential consequences of chemical burn incidents. This blog post aims to provide a comprehensive overview of your rights and the steps you can take to pursue compensation for your injuries.

Common Causes of Chemical Burns in Georgia

Chemical burns can occur in various settings, including workplaces, homes, and public spaces [4, 15]. Some of the most common causes include:

Workplace Accidents: Construction, electrical, and industrial environments pose significant risks, especially when safety protocols are not followed [4]. Exposure to irritating household chemicals like ammonia or bleach can also lead to chemical burns [10].
Car Accidents: Trucking accidents can result in the spillage of dangerous cargo, leading to chemical burns [6].
Defective Products: Malfunctioning electronics or unsafe chemicals can cause catastrophic injuries [4]. Some tooth whitening and denture cleaning products can also be harmful to the skin and eyes [10].
Exposure to Pool Treatment Chemicals: Contact with pool treatment chemicals like chlorine can result in chemical burns [10].
Chemical Plant Fires: Accidents at chemical plants can release dangerous levels of toxic chemicals into the air, impacting the health of nearby residents [22].

Types of Chemical Burns and Their Severity

Burns are categorized by degree, with each level presenting its own challenges [4]:

First-Degree Burns: Affect the outer layer of skin, causing blisters or scalding. They typically heal without major medical treatment [4]. Settlements for minor burns with limited medical costs often fall below $10,000 [3].
Second-Degree Burns: Reach deeper into the tissue, often requiring medical care and causing permanent scarring [4]. Settlements typically range from $25,000 to $75,000, depending on the extent of the injuries and long-term effects [3].
Third-Degree Burns: Damage multiple layers of skin and tissue, sometimes affecting nerves and muscles. These injuries often lead to permanent disfigurement, ongoing pain and suffering, and the need for reconstructive surgeries and skin grafts [4]. Severe burns that cause permanent disfigurement or disability often lead to settlements exceeding $100,000, with catastrophic cases reaching millions [3].
Fourth-Degree Burns: The most severe burns cause extensive damage to muscles, tendons, and bones [3]. The average settlement value for these cases can be up to $1 million [12].

Establishing Negligence in a Chemical Burn Injury Lawsuit

To win a chemical burn injury lawsuit in Georgia, you must prove the following [2]:

Duty of Care: The defendant owed you a certain duty of care.
Breach of Duty: The defendant breached that duty of care by failing to protect your safety.
Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injuries.
Damages: You suffered damages as a result of your injuries.

Liability may fall on employers who fail to provide proper training or safety equipment, property owners who ignore fire hazards or unsafe conditions, manufacturers that produce defective or dangerous products, or negligent drivers whose actions cause vehicle fires or explosions [4].

Compensation for Burn Injuries in Georgia

If you’ve suffered a chemical burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for various damages, including [4, 11]:

Medical Expenses: Compensation for past and future medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgeries, skin grafts, medications, and physical therapy [2, 7].
Lost Wages: Compensation for time missed from work due to treatment and recovery [2, 7].
Loss of Earning Capacity: If the burn injury prevents you from returning to your previous job or limits future employment opportunities [7].
Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve experienced [2, 4].
Permanent Disfigurement or Disability: Compensation for the long-term effects of the burn injury, such as scarring, disfigurement, or loss of mobility [4, 6].
Emotional Distress and Loss of Quality of Life: Compensation for the emotional trauma and reduced enjoyment of life resulting from the burn injury [4].

The Role of a Georgia Burn Injury Attorney

Burn injury cases often involve complex medical evidence and multiple parties who may share responsibility [4]. Insurance companies tend to minimize payouts or dispute fault, especially when the damages are high [4]. Working with a Georgia burn injury attorney ensures your rights are protected and the full impact of your injuries—financial, physical, and emotional—is recognized [4].

A Georgia burn injury attorney can help you [4, 15]:

Investigate the cause of the chemical burn and identify all responsible parties.
Gather evidence to support your claim, including medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony.
Negotiate with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement.
File a lawsuit and represent you in court if a settlement cannot be reached.

Important Steps to Take After a Chemical Burn Injury

If you’ve suffered a burn injury, it’s important to take the right steps early [4]:

Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Your health and safety come first, and medical documentation will later support your claim [4].
Document the Scene: Take photos, gather witness statements, and preserve any evidence—like damaged equipment or faulty wiring [4].
Report the Incident: Report the incident to your employer, property owner, or other responsible party [4].
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Georgia: An experienced attorney can investigate liability, handle negotiations, file your claim within state deadlines, and help you get financial compensation [4].

Statute of Limitations for Burn Injury Claims in Georgia

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including burn injury claims, is generally two years from the date of the injury [11, 15]. This means you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit [11]. However, there may be some circumstances where this period is put on pause or extended by courts [11].

Recent Chemical Exposure Events in Georgia

In recent years, Georgia has experienced several incidents involving chemical exposure, highlighting the importance of understanding your rights and seeking legal assistance if you’ve been affected:

BioLab Chemical Plant Fire (2024): A fire at the BioLab plant in Conyers, Georgia, released dangerous levels of chlorine gas into the air, impacting the health of thousands of residents [22]. Multiple lawsuits have been filed against BioLab and KIK Custom Products, alleging negligent safety procedures led to the release of the toxic chemical plume [21, 23].
Alleged Use of Toxic Chemicals Against Protesters (2024): There have been allegations that the government used toxic chemicals against protesters in Tbilisi [20, 27]. Amnesty International has called for an international investigation into the alleged use of toxic chemicals against protesters and a complete embargo on all policing equipment [20].

Seeking Justice and Compensation

If you or a loved one has suffered a chemical burn injury in Georgia due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek justice and compensation. Contacting an experienced Georgia burn injury attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue the compensation you deserve. Don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation to discuss your case and protect your rights.