Rapid City Burn Injury Lawyer
Severe Burn Injury Claims in South Dakota
Serious burns have lasting physical, emotional, and financial implications, from permanent scarring and disfigurement to loss of bodily function, mobility, and enjoyment of life. At Beardsley, Jensen & Lee, we recognize the significant impact these injuries have on victims, as well as their loved ones and family members.
If you suffered severe burn injuries due to the careless, reckless, or negligent conduct of another person or party, we can help. Our Rapid City burn injury lawyers draw on more than 100 years of collective experience to build powerful cases for our clients, always with the goal of maximizing their recoveries. Our goal is to help you through the legal process, handling every detail so that you can focus on healing and moving forward with your life.
When we take on a burn case, we carefully review how the injury occurred, the full scope of medical treatment you have received, and the long-term effects your doctors anticipate. We work closely with medical providers in and around Rapid City to understand how skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and rehabilitation will affect your future, so that we can seek compensation that reflects real-world needs rather than a quick insurance offer.
We also understand that burns can affect your ability to work, care for your family, and participate in the activities that once filled your days. As we build your claim, we take time to learn how your injuries have changed your routine, your relationships, and your plans for the future. By connecting these day-to-day realities to the legal standards that apply in South Dakota, we aim to present a clear picture of your losses to the insurance company or, when necessary, to a Pennington County jury.
If you believe your burn injuries resulted from someone else’s negligence, contact Beardsley, Jensen & Lee online or by phone at (605) 777-7466 for a free consultation today.
Types of Burns
Burn injuries are classified according to type and degree.
The different types of burn injuries include:
- Thermal Burns: Those caused by contact with hot items, surfaces, and substances
- Electrical Burns: Those caused by contact with live electrical currents
- Chemical Burns: Those caused by contact with harsh, abrasive solvents, detergents, and chemicals
- Radiation Burns: Those caused by radiation from medical treatments, the sun, and other sources
- Friction Burns: Those caused by abrasive contact with hard surfaces, such as asphalt; also known as “road rash”
- Cold Burns: Those caused by exposure to extreme cold; also known as “frostbite”
Additionally, the severity of a burn injury is classified based on its degree.
The four different degrees of burn injuries include:
- First-Degree Burns: The mildest type of burn injury, first-degree burns often result in localized pain, redness, swelling, and some minor scarring. First-degree burns can typically be treated at home with standard first aid.
- Second-Degree Burns: Second-degree burn injuries are considered to be moderate to severe and may result in significant damage to the upper and lower layers of skin, leading to redness, swelling, pain, and scarring.
- Third-Degree Burns: Third-degree burns are severe injuries and typically require immediate medical attention. Third-degree burns often result in “charring” of the skin, leading to a whitened or blackened appearance, as well as numbness and nerve damage.
- Fourth-Degree Burns: The most severe type of burn injury, fourth-degree burns affect both the upper and lower layers of skin, as well as the surrounding tissues and bones. Fourth-degree burn injuries are medical emergencies that can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
Moderate to severe burn injuries may require extensive medical attention, hospitalization, and ongoing and future care. Such injuries often cause significant and permanent scarring and disfigurement, which can leave victims grappling with serious mental and emotional health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
In many cases, people with serious burns need treatment at specialized burn centers, repeated surgeries, and months or years of therapy. These medical needs can quickly lead to substantial bills, lost income, and out-of-pocket expenses for travel and lodging if treatment is not available close to home. When we handle a burn claim in Rapid City, we look beyond the initial hospital stay to account for the full course of treatment your doctors recommend and the cost of adjusting your home or work environment as you recover.
What Are the Common Causes of Burn Injuries?
When we think of burns, we typically think of injuries resulting from fires and explosions. While these are among the leading causes of burn injuries in the U.S., they are far from the only ones.
In fact, some of the most common causes of burn injuries include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Car/vehicle fires
- Defective products
- Faulty electrical wiring
- Toxic exposure
- Workplace accidents
- Property/building accidents
These events can occur almost anywhere, from a collision on I-90 outside Rapid City to a fire in an apartment building or an incident on a construction site. Each situation raises different legal questions about who is responsible, what safety rules applied, and which insurance policies may provide coverage. We carefully investigate the scene, review incident reports, and consult with qualified professionals when needed so that we can identify every party that may share fault for a burn injury.
Understanding how and why a burn occurred also helps us explain your story clearly to an insurance adjuster or, if necessary, to a judge or jury. By connecting the cause of the fire, chemical exposure, or electrical event to the specific safety regulations that were ignored, we work to show that your injuries were both preventable and legally compensable. This careful approach is an important part of how we handle serious burn claims for people in Rapid City and the surrounding communities.
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Even before I became a client I was taken care of. It was a long battle but I can honestly say I never felt worried, I knew I had an entire team working for me. It didn't matter at what point we were in the legal process, I was always well protected.- Shannon H.
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This was my second case working with the Beardsley Law Team after an auto collision. They were knowledgeable, professional, and personable and kept me informed every step of the way. They are amazing!- Deanine R.
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Brad Lee and his team are amazing and really stood up for us when we needed it! We always knew what was happening and he always took the time to explain the process and set clear expectations. No question or concern was too small.- Brad & Tara F.
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I was in a severe workplace accident. Became permanently disabled. I lost everything. The team of Beardsley, Jensen & Lee went to bat for me. They answered every question I had. I do not know what I would have done without them.- Troy H.
