A burn injury lawyer is a personal injury lawyer that specializes in burn injury accidents. They understand how burn injuries occur and their potential long-term consequences.
A burn injury attorney is not just a fire accident lawyer. They can handle all types of burn injuries, including chemical, electrical, and thermal burns that can arise from motor vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, construction accidents, and more.
Unlike a generalized personal injury attorney, a burn injury attorney understands your unique challenges as a burn victim. They know how a burn injury can affect every aspect of your life, which makes them ideal allies in your fight for fair compensation.
To determine whether a burn injury law firm is best for your situation, you should understand the role of a burn injury lawyer, when you may need their services, and how to choose the right one for your needs.
Typical Responsibilities of a Burn Injury Lawyer
If you experienced burn injuries due to another party's negligence, you could seek compensation through a personal injury claim. A burn accident lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and provide support throughout the legal process.
Legal services you can typically expect from a burn injury lawyer include:
- Gathering documents to prove your claim
- Filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party
- Negotiating a fair settlement with the at-fault party and their insurance company
- Taking your case to trial, if necessary
A burn injury attorney aims to secure a fair settlement to cover the total economic and non-economic losses you may experience now and in the future due to your burn injuries.
How Much Is My Burn Claim Worth?
Burn injuries can be catastrophic, resulting in significant pain and suffering. Severe burns often require emergency medical attention, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term medical treatment. You may endure lost income and reduced quality of life due to burn-related scarring and disfigurement.
As a burn victim, you deserve compensation for losses you sustained due to someone else's negligence. A dedicated burn injury lawyer can help you pursue a fair burn injury settlement for your losses.
Burn injury settlements vary depending on the burns' severity, extent, and cause. Damages you could seek in a burn accident claim include:
- Past and future medical care
- Lost income
- Reduced income potential
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional distress
- Compromised quality of life
- Loss of consortium
When Do You Need a Burn Injury Lawyer?
While insurance companies may cover some related expenses for certain burn injuries, they often offer low settlements, leaving burn injury victims to pay for damages that were not their fault. A personal injury attorney specializing in burn injury claims can help you seek the financial compensation you deserve. However, time is of the essence in a burn injury case.
Most states have a statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. To ensure the best chance for a favorable outcome, contact a burn injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. A skilled burn injury attorney will know which deadlines may apply to your claim. While you focus on your recovery, they can begin building a case to recover financial compensation.
The Process of Working With a Burn Injury Attorney
Every burn injury law firm has a slightly different approach, but most follow the same general legal process:
Consultation and Case Evaluation
The first step of any burn injury case is a consultation and case evaluation with your potential attorney. The lawyer will listen to your story, review the evidence, and determine whether you have grounds to pursue a personal injury claim. Most attorneys offer a free initial consultation and case evaluation for burn victims.
Investigation and Compensation Claim Preparation
If the firm decides to take your case, they will begin investigating your claim and building a solid case for financial compensation. During the investigation, the legal team will gather evidence to prove fault and establish your claim's value. Evidence may include:
- Medical bills and receipts to calculate current and future medical expenses
- Pay stubs and expert economic analysis to determine lost current and future income potential
- Medical expert testimony to establish the extent of your injuries and expected long-term impairment
- Witness statements from individuals who observed the accident
- Videos and photos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Any other documentation that proves fault and establishes negligence
To prove the other party's negligence and obtain a fair settlement, your burn lawyer must show that the liable party was responsible for your burns and that you suffered damages.
Negotiation and Litigation
Once your attorney determines who is liable for your injuries, they will submit a claim to the at-fault party's insurance company. They may also file a personal injury lawsuit. Insurance companies can be stubborn regarding settlements, which is why working with a knowledgeable burn injury lawyer is advantageous.
A skilled burn injury attorney will know how to negotiate with insurance companies and opposing counsel to seek maximum financial compensation for your losses. While they cannot guarantee a specific result, you have a better chance for a desirable outcome if you work with a burn injury lawyer who is comfortable in negotiations and the courtroom.
Benefits of Working With an Experienced Burn Injury Lawyer
Choosing the right attorney for your claim is crucial. The dedicated burn injury lawyers at Dunn Sheehan understand the difficulties you face following a severe burn injury. We have extensive experience working with victims of catastrophic injuries, including severe burns.
When you work with Dunn Sheehan, you benefit from the knowledge and resources we have built through years of litigation on behalf of injury victims like you. Our compassionate burn injury attorneys are comfortable in the courtroom and at the negotiating table, and we can aggressively defend your legal right to fair compensation.
Contact our burn accident lawyers today to discuss your claim during a free, no-obligation consultation. If we decide to take your case, we will handle it at no upfront cost. We don't get paid until and unless we win your case.