What to Do After a Burn Injury in Greenville
Treatment comes first. While you are in the hospital, someone close to you can start keeping the evidence safe.
- Call 911. Serious burns need emergency care. After that, keep every wound care, surgery and therapy appointment and hold on to the discharge papers.
- Ask for the fire or incident report. Greenville County is split among many fire departments and districts, so ask whichever department, police agency or business responded for its report and case number.
- Leave hazards to the fire crew. Damaged batteries, wiring, fuel lines and gas appliances can be dangerous. Wait for the fire department's guidance before moving them, and ask a lawyer before throwing anything away.
- Get pictures before cleanup. A family member can photograph the outlet, the appliance, scorch marks, smoke stains and any warning labels.
- Photograph the burns over time. Dated pictures through each stage of healing show what treatment involved and what scars remain.
- Find the paperwork. Receipts, manuals and boxes can show who made and sold a product.
Where Burns Happen Around Greenville
Burns in the Upstate can come from a fuel fire after a wreck on I-85, an accident at one of the manufacturing plants along the interstate, a kitchen or house fire, or a charger, e-bike battery or heater that fails at home. In winter, space heaters and wood stoves run more often.
How Long You Have
Most personal injury claims in South Carolina must be filed within three years.1 The limit is for filing suit, and an insurance claim does not pause it.2 Lawsuits under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act generally must be filed within two years, though a three-year deadline may apply if a qualifying verified claim was filed first.4 Claims against a government agency can also face caps on damages, depending on the facts.3
A fire that began in a wall outlet, a furnace hookup or a newer addition to the house raises another timing issue. Claims against builders, contractors and designers over work on real property can be cut off by a fixed outer time limit, no matter when the problem is discovered.5
Our statewide burn injury page has more. If a product failed, see product injuries in Greenville.
Want someone to look at your situation?
Talk with our team about what happened and ask the questions on your mind.
Talk With Us
Serious burns affect work, sleep and family life for a long time. We start by hearing how the fire started and what recovery has been like.
Our office is on King Street in downtown Charleston. The first conversation can happen by phone. We take cases across South Carolina, including Greenville and the Upstate. If you hire us, the insurers can usually deal with us.
Call us, and tell us what you still have from the scene.
South Carolina Law on This
- Most personal injury claims in South Carolina must be filed within three years.1
- South Carolina's statute of limitations generally sets the deadline for filing a lawsuit in court. Simply opening a claim with an insurance company or negotiating with an insurance adjuster does not stop the statute of limitations from running.2
- Claims against a South Carolina state or local government agency have their own filing deadline, which can be shorter, and there could be caps on damages under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act, depending on the facts of the case.3
- Lawsuits under the South Carolina Tort Claims Act generally must be filed within two years after the loss was or should have been discovered. A three-year deadline may apply if a qualifying verified claim was first filed under the Act.4
- Claims against builders, contractors and designers over work on real property can be cut off by a fixed outer time limit that applies no matter when the problem is discovered.5
- Most injuries that happen on the job in South Carolina go through the workers' compensation system, which has its own rules, and usually limits suing your own employer.6
- An injured worker in South Carolina generally must tell the employer about a work accident right away, and no later than 90 days after it, to receive workers' compensation, unless an exception applies.7
- A South Carolina workers' compensation claim generally must be filed with the Workers' Compensation Commission within two years after the accident, or after a death it caused. Telling the employer does not count as filing. Occupational diseases and repetitive trauma follow different rules.8
- In South Carolina, an employee injured at work may be able to receive workers' compensation benefits and also pursue a personal injury claim against a responsible third party, such as another driver. The workers' compensation insurer may have a right to reimbursement from any settlement or judgment. Special rules and deadlines apply when pursuing both claims.9
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I hang on to the space heater, charger or appliance that caught fire?
If it's safe, yes. A damaged lithium battery can reignite, so don't pick up or move a scorched battery, electrical item or gas appliance until the fire department or another safety professional says it's okay. Then keep it with its cord, charger, box and receipt, and check with a lawyer before giving it to the maker or an insurer.
I was burned at work on a plant floor along I-85. What are my options?
Most injuries that happen on the job in South Carolina go through the workers' compensation system.6 An injured worker generally must tell the employer no later than 90 days after the accident.7 The claim generally must be filed with the Workers' Compensation Commission within two years after the accident.8 An employee may also be able to pursue a personal injury claim against a responsible third party, such as an equipment maker.9
The wiring in our house went in years ago. Is it too late?
Possibly, and the dates in your situation decide it. Claims against builders, contractors and designers over work on real property can be cut off by a fixed outer time limit that applies no matter when the problem is discovered.5 So after a house fire in Greer, Simpsonville or anywhere else, it makes sense to get a lawyer's read on the dates early.
Sources
This page is general information about South Carolina law, not legal advice for your situation. Every case depends on its own facts.
