Compassionate Legal Help for Burn Victims in Hickory, NC
Burn injuries are among the most painful and life-altering injuries a person can experience. Beyond the immediate physical damage, victims often face a long road of surgeries, rehabilitation, and emotional recovery. The financial toll can be just as overwhelming, with medical bills piling up while victims are unable to work.
At Galbavy Law, we understand the intense stress these accidents cause. Led by David Galbavy, a Board-Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation and former insurance defense attorney, we bring compassion and knowledge to every case, securing up to $25 million for our clients. Our experience includes major cases involving orthopedic injuries, surgeries, and permanent impairments, demonstrating our commitment to achieving the best possible compensation for those we serve.
If you need a trusted Hickory burn injury lawyer, we are here to fight for your rights and help you rebuild your life.
Understanding Your Legal Rights After a Burn Injury
Victims of burn injuries in Hickory may have the right to pursue compensation if their injuries were caused by negligence. Property owners, landlords, employers, and product manufacturers all have a duty to ensure their premises, workplaces, or products are reasonably safe.
When that duty is breached, whether through faulty wiring in a rental home near Union Square, a vehicle fire on Highway 70, or unsafe industrial practices in Catawba County workplaces, victims may file a personal injury or workers’ compensation claim.
It’s also important to recognize North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence law, often referred to as the 1% rule. If an insurance company can prove you were even 1% at fault for your accident, your claim may be denied entirely. This makes hiring an experienced attorney essential. With David Galbavy’s unique background as both a workers’ comp specialist and a former defense attorney for insurers, Galbavy Law knows how to anticipate and counter these arguments.
Burn injuries can happen in a wide variety of settings, from homes and workplaces to highways and public spaces. In Hickory, several common causes regularly lead to serious injuries that require medical treatment and, in many cases, legal action. Understanding these causes helps determine liability and build a strong case for compensation.
House and apartment fires are among the most frequent causes of burns in Hickory. Faulty wiring, unattended cooking, malfunctioning heaters, and improperly maintained smoke alarms can all spark devastating fires. Residents living near Union Square and other downtown Hickory neighborhoods may be particularly vulnerable in older apartment complexes or rental homes where landlords fail to comply with safety codes. Commercial properties (restaurants, hotels, and retail spaces) also pose risks when fire exits are blocked or sprinklers are not properly maintained.
Car and truck accidents on I-40 and Highway 70 often involve fire hazards. When fuel tanks rupture or vehicles collide at high speeds, fires and explosions can occur within seconds. Victims may suffer not only traumatic impact injuries but also life-threatening burns from flames, hot metal, or leaking chemicals. Truck accidents, in particular, carry added risks due to the transportation of hazardous materials and flammable cargo through Catawba County.
Hickory’s manufacturing and industrial sector is central to the local economy, but it also creates environments where workers face an elevated risk of burns. Welding accidents, electrical shorts, exposure to corrosive chemicals, and machinery malfunctions are just a few examples of potential hazards. Inadequate safety protocols or an employer’s failure to follow OSHA fire safety regulations can make a workplace especially dangerous. For workers, these cases often fall under workers’ compensation law, an area where David Galbavy is a Board-Certified Specialist.
Burn injuries can also result from the use of defective consumer products. Faulty kitchen appliances, space heaters, and electronic devices can spark fires or overheat, causing severe burns. When manufacturers release unsafe products onto the market, they may be held liable under product liability laws. These cases require a thorough investigation to establish a connection between the defect and the injury, ensuring the responsible company is held accountable.
Hotels, Airbnb rentals, and other short-term lodging options around Hickory have a duty to protect guests from foreseeable dangers. Fires caused by inadequate smoke detectors, poor maintenance, or improperly installed electrical systems can put visitors at risk. Property owners who fail to maintain safe conditions can be held responsible when guests are injured on their premises.
Burns vary widely in severity and can have lifelong consequences:
Severe burns often require multiple surgeries and long-term rehabilitation. At Galbavy Law, we have extensive experience representing clients with orthopedic injuries, surgeries, and permanent impairments, which are common outcomes of catastrophic burn cases.
Burn injuries are not just medical emergencies: they are often the result of someone else’s negligence or failure to maintain safe conditions. In North Carolina, victims have the right to pursue compensation through personal injury or workers’ compensation claims, depending on the circumstances of the injury and where it occurred.
Property owners in Hickory, from landlords of apartments near Union Square to operators of businesses along Highway 70, are legally obligated to maintain reasonably safe environments. Suppose a fire or burn hazard was foreseeable and preventable, such as faulty wiring, missing smoke detectors, or blocked fire exits. In such cases, victims may pursue a premises liability claim against the property owner.
Employees in Hickory’s manufacturing plants, construction sites, and industrial facilities face daily burn risks. North Carolina law requires employers to comply with OSHA safety standards and provide protective equipment. If an employer fails in this duty and a worker suffers burns, the victim may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. As a Board-Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation, David Galbavy is uniquely qualified to handle these claims and ensure injured employees receive the maximum benefits available.
Consumers also have the right to expect that everyday products are safe and reliable. When defective appliances, electronics, or vehicles cause fires or explosions, victims may bring a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. These cases often involve corporate defendants with aggressive legal teams, making experienced representation critical.
North Carolina follows one of the strictest liability standards in the country, known as the contributory negligence rule. Under this rule, if an insurer or defense attorney can show that you were even 1% at fault for your burn injury, for example, by mishandling equipment or ignoring safety warnings, you may be barred from recovering any compensation.
This harsh law makes having a skilled attorney essential. As a former insurance defense lawyer, David Galbavy knows precisely how insurers attempt to use contributory negligence against victims and how to counter it effectively.
Whether through a personal injury lawsuit, workers’ compensation claim, or product liability case, burn victims in Hickory may be entitled to compensation for:
Galbavy Law has secured over $25 million in recoveries for injured clients across North Carolina, and we apply that same determination to every burn injury case we handle.
Burn victims may be entitled to a variety of damages, including:
Galbavy Law carefully calculates damages to ensure clients are not shortchanged by insurance companies eager to minimize payouts.
Navigating a burn injury claim can feel overwhelming, especially while recovering from painful and life-changing injuries. In North Carolina, the process involves multiple steps that determine whether you can secure compensation for medical costs, lost income, and long-term damages. Working with an experienced Hickory burn injury lawyer ensures no detail is overlooked.
The first step after a burn injury is always immediate medical attention. Not only is this crucial for your health, but medical records also become a vital part of your legal claim. Emergency room visits, hospitalizations at facilities like Catawba Valley Medical Center, surgeries, and ongoing treatments establish both the severity of your injury and the financial impact.
How and where the injury occurred determines the reporting process:
Timely reporting protects your rights and prevents insurers or defendants from arguing that the injury wasn’t serious.
Your attorney will investigate the root cause of the burn to establish liability. This may involve:
Evidence gathered at this stage strengthens your case and prepares it for negotiation or trial.
If a fair settlement can’t be reached, filing a lawsuit may be necessary. The North Carolina Judicial Branch offers plain-language guidance on civil procedures, timelines, and what to expect from filing through trial—see the Lawsuits (Civil Cases) help topic. Depending on the facts, your claim may proceed in District or Superior Court and can include negligence, wrongful death, or related causes of action tailored to your injuries and losses.:
An attorney ensures that your claim is filed within North Carolina’s statute of limitations, generally three years for personal injury lawsuits and two years for workers’ compensation claims.
Insurers often attempt to minimize payouts by disputing liability, undervaluing damages, or relying on North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule to deny claims. Having a lawyer like David Galbavy, who has previously defended insurance companies, gives victims a significant advantage. He anticipates these tactics and builds strong counterarguments.
Most burn injury claims resolve through settlement. However, if insurers refuse to offer fair compensation, your attorney may recommend taking the case to court. Litigation can involve depositions, expert testimony, and trial advocacy to secure a verdict in your favor.
Once a claim is successfully resolved, victims may receive compensation covering:
This financial support helps burn victims move forward and rebuild their lives.
Why Hiring a Local Hickory Burn Injury Lawyer Matters
Choosing a local attorney gives you an advantage. A Hickory burn injury lawyer understands the unique aspects of practicing law in Catawba County. David Galbavy is familiar with the local courts, judges, and insurers, and works closely with medical professionals at Catawba Valley Medical Center and nearby rehabilitation providers.
Local knowledge also means familiarity with common accident sites, from apartment fires near Union Square to highway crashes on I-40 and Highway 70.
Galbavy’s dual experience as a Board-Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation and a former insurance defense attorney provides a potent edge. Having defended insurers in the past, he is familiar with their tactics and knows how to counter them.
With a proven record of $25 million recovered for clients, Galbavy Law is a trusted advocate for burn injury survivors in Hickory and throughout North Carolina.
At Galbavy Law, we don’t treat clients like case numbers. We take the time to understand each client’s story, needs, and goals. Our approach includes:
Our firm’s experience with orthopedic surgeries and permanent impairment claims gives us unique insight into the long-term needs of burn injury victims.
If you or a loved one has experienced a burn injury in Hickory, you don’t have to confront the medical and financial challenges on your own. At Galbavy Law, we bring local knowledge, specialized skills, and a proven history of success to advocate for justice on behalf of burn victims.
Contact us today by filling out our contact form to schedule a complimentary consultation. Let a dedicated Hickory burn injury lawyer stand by your side and help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
1 Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases because each case is unique and must be evaluated separately. The only way we can assist you is for you to call us about your case.
Protected by reCAPTCHA. Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
