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Month: April 2025

Can You Sue a Company for Chemical Burns? 

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There are many reasons you might need a personal injury attorney in Mobile, AL, from car accidents to slip-and-fall incidents, but did you know that you might have a case for other injuries, like chemical burns? Whether caused by harsh cleaning products, industrial chemicals, or a workplace accident, these injuries can lead to physical, emotional, and financial harm. 

If you suffer one of these injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you might be wondering: Can you sue for chemical burns? The short answer is yes, under the right circumstances. As with any personal injury lawsuit, your potential compensation for damages depends on the incident’s circumstances and your ability to prove that the company is liable for your injuries. Each case should be evaluated on its own facts. 

What Are Chemical Burns?

Chemical burns, also known as caustic burns, may occur when your skin, eyes, or internal organs come into contact with a corrosive substance. These substances fall into several categories, including:

  • Sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, commonly found in drain cleaners, cleaning agents for metal and masonry, and swimming pool chemicals.
  • Alkaline chemicals, such as sodium or potassium hydroxide, which are caustic and often used in degreasers and other cleaning products. 
  • Organic solvents, including paint thinner and gasoline.
  • Pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides. 

The Symptoms of Chemical Burns

Chemical burns may be painful and may cause redness, swelling, blisters, or discoloration. Inhaling toxic fumes can also damage your lungs and respiratory system.
Common symptoms include:

  • Redness or irritation
  • Blistering or peeling
  • Numbness or pain
  • Vision problems (if it contacts the eyes)
  • Breathing issues (if inhaled)

Chemical burns can cause mild irritation or deep tissue damage, depending on the specific chemical and how long it stays in contact with the skin. Regardless of the severity of the burn, you may need immediate medical attention to prevent long-term damage and additional complications. If your injuries and the other facts of the case merit a personal injury lawsuit, your medical treatment records may be essential to proving your case. 

When Can You Sue for a Chemical Burn?

Although these products typically have clear warnings about avoiding contact with the skin, accidents can happen. Not every chemical burn justifies a lawsuit, however. 

As a general example, if you’re in a business, and someone doesn’t clean up a chemical spill properly, exposing you to dangerous substances, you may be able to seek damages. 

Making Your Case in Court 

While the answer to “Can you sue for chemical burns?” is maybe yes, that doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive compensation. A strong case often involves collecting several types of evidence, including:

  • Medical treatment records: Documentation of your injury, treatment, and prognosis.
  • Witness statements: Testimonies from individuals who saw what happened.
  • Expert opinions: Professionals who can explain safety standard violations and how the injury happened.
  • Receipts and bills: Proof of medical expenses, lost wages, and other financial losses.

An experienced injury attorney can make a big difference. They’ll gather evidence, consult professionals, and handle negotiations with the other party’s insurance and lawyers.

Types of Damages You Can Recover

If you win, you may receive compensatory damages for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In some cases, the court might also award punitive damages. If the burn causes permanent scarring or other long-term impacts, you may be eligible for additional compensation.

Get Help With Your Chemical Burn Case From Jackson & Foster Law

If you’re dealing with an injury that wasn’t your fault and wondering, “Can you sue for chemical burns?” speak with a personal injury attorney at Jackson & Foster Law. We may be able to help you understand your rights, build a case proving pain and suffering, and fight for compensation. You don’t have to go through this alone, so call (251) 433-6699 today.

Why You Shouldn’t Post on Social Media After a Car Accident     

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For many of us, our first instinct whenever anything happens (good or bad) is to pull out our phones and share it with friends and followers.  While that’s not a big deal when you get a flat white with perfect foam, it’s a different story altogether when you’re involved in a car accident. As any car accident lawyer in Mobile, AL, will tell you, it’s not a good idea to share the news of even a minor fender bender on your feeds. 

Posting on social media after a car accident can come back to haunt you if you’re planning to file a personal injury case. It might sound dramatic, but the legal system may not care about your good intentions or the number of likes you get. In fact, those likes could end up costing you thousands of dollars or more.

So before you hit “post,” here’s why staying silent online after an accident might be the smartest move you make.

Why You Need To Stay Off Social Media After a Car Accident 

It’s easy to think that posting seemingly innocent thoughts about your accident won’t make much difference to a legal battle. After all, if you aren’t saying anything negative about the other parties or discussing specifics, it won’t make a difference, right?

Wrong. If you are knee deep in negotiations with an insurance company or getting ready to go to court, the opposing counsel can (and will) look for anything they can use against you.  

Your Posts Are Public Even When You Think They Aren’t

You might think your social media is private because you locked down your settings and only allow approved friends to see your posts. But that “private” post isn’t private, at least not in a court of law.

Attorneys are very good at digging, and that includes social media monitoring. They can request access to your social media as evidence, and judges may approve those requests, especially if your posts could be relevant to your injuries or behavior after the accident.

One cheerful posting on social media after a car accident, like “Feeling better already!” can imply you’re not really hurt or as hurt as you’re claiming to be.

Deleting potentially relevant content could be seen as destroying evidence, which might even hurt your case more than the post itself. 

Defendants Will Use Your Words Against You 

After a car accident, you might post something about your accident, like “Got rear-ended today. We’re okay, but it’s still annoying.”

That sentence might feel harmless, but if you’re later diagnosed with whiplash or a back injury and decide to sue, it can become legal evidence against you. The defense can argue that you initially said you weren’t hurt, so you’re lying about your injuries now.

Your social feed becomes a digital diary, so it’s better not to include anything that could raise questions about your injuries or integrity.

Photos Tell a Story  

It’s not just posts about the accident that can get you into trouble with a personal injury case. Posting on social media after a car accident about your activities can give opposing counsel ammunition that suggests that your injuries aren’t as bad as you claim. 

For example, a photo from your friend’s BBQ a week after the accident on your feed can suggest you’re back to normal, not in pain, and not someone who needs compensation for suffering. Even if you sit most of the time, nursing your injuries, lawyers can make an image of you smiling with a burger in hand tell a different story — one that doesn’t make you look good.

You Might Accidentally Admit Fault

The potential for accidental liability admission is another reason posting on social media after a car accident is a bad idea. It’s easy to unintentionally admit something you didn’t mean to, like  “Wish I hadn’t looked down at the GPS for a second.”

In personal injury law, even a small admission can affect your compensation.

Friends and Family Can Hurt Your Case, Too

It’s not just your posts that can impact your case. Your friends tagging you in photos, mentioning you in comments, or checking you into locations can also raise red flags and give the defendant information they can use against you.

What To Do Instead To Protect Your Case 

After any car accident, especially one with injuries, your best bet is to go dark on social media. That doesn’t mean deleting your accounts, but it does mean not posting anything new. 

Talking to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible and following their advice can also help protect your case. Your attorney will likely recommend:

  • Pausing all posts until the case is over.
  • Setting all accounts to private, understanding that it won’t fully protect you.
  • Not deleting anything without talking to your lawyer.

Remember, the less you say online, the more power your case may retain in the real world.

Consult Jackson & Foster Law About Your Car Accident Case

Posting on social media after a car accident might seem like a good way to get support or process what happened, but it’s better to remain silent. One careless post or selfie can raise doubts or call your credibility into question, making it harder to prove your case in court. 

Instead of making a Facebook post, focus where needed on hiring a personal injury lawyer and talking to them before you talk to your followers. Contact Jackson & Foster Law in Mobile, AL, at (251) 433-6699 for a consultation and guidance on how to proceed.