Burn injuries can have a lasting impact on a person’s life, causing severe pain, emotional distress, and significant medical expenses. Whether the burn is caused by an accident, defective product, or workplace negligence, victims of severe burns deserve justice and compensation.
At Rah Law, we understand the devastating effects of burn injuries and the complexities of pursuing a personal injury claim. This blog explains how a personal injury lawyer can help those who have suffered from severe burn injuries.
What Are Severe Burns?
Burn injuries are classified by severity. Severe burns, often called third-degree burns, are the most serious and can cause permanent damage to the skin, muscles, and underlying tissues. These types of burns typically require immediate medical attention, intensive treatment, and long-term recovery. The aftermath can involve not only physical pain but also emotional scars, requiring victims to navigate a long healing process.
Extreme burns often result from accidents involving fires, chemicals, electrical sources, or explosions. When these injuries are caused by another party’s negligence or intentional actions, victims may have the right to seek compensation for their suffering.
How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
If you or someone you love has suffered a severe burn injury due to someone else’s actions, a Springfield personal injury lawyer can help you navigate the legal process. A legal practitioner can provide legal representation, ensuring you are fairly compensated for the damages you’ve incurred.
An attorney will help you in the following ways:
- Assessing Liability
Determining who is responsible for the burn injury is the first step in a burn injury claim. A personal injury lawyer will investigate the circumstances of the injury and identify whether a third party’s negligence or recklessness contributed to the accident. This could include identifying unsafe working conditions, defective products, or unsafe environments. - Gathering Evidence
A successful burn injury case relies heavily on strong evidence. Your lawyer will gather all relevant documentation, including medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions. They may also work with medical professionals to assess the severity of the burns and how they will impact your life in the long term. - Navigating the Legal Process
Personal injury law is complex, and filing a claim requires detailed legal knowledge. A lawyer will handle all the paperwork, deadlines, and court procedures on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your recovery. They will also ensure that your case is presented clearly and effectively, upholding your rights throughout the legal process. - Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, offering settlements that may not fully compensate you for your injuries. A personal injury attorney will negotiate on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. This can include reimbursement for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses related to the injury. - Fighting for Fair Compensation
A lawyer will work tirelessly to secure compensation for your current and future medical expenses, as well as any emotional and psychological damage caused by the injury. In the case of permanent scarring or disfigurement, the legal practitioner may also pursue additional damages for the lasting effects on your life and quality of living.
Why Is It Important to Hire a Lawyer for Burn Injuries?
Burn injury cases can be more complicated than other personal injury claims due to the severity and long-term impact of the injury. A Springfield burn injury lawyer will ensure that all aspects of your case are carefully evaluated and that you receive the compensation you need to cover your treatment, rehabilitation, lost wages, and other costs.
Legal practitioners working on burn injury cases understand the complexities involved and will advocate on your behalf, ensuring that you’re not taken advantage of by insurance companies or negligent parties.
Common Causes of Severe Burns
Burn injuries can result from various situations. Some common causes include:
- Fires and Explosions: These are common causes of 5-degree burns and often result from negligence, faulty equipment, or unsafe environments.
- Electrical Burns: Contact with electrical wires or faulty equipment can cause severe electrical burns that require immediate care.
- Chemical Burns: Exposure to harsh chemicals can cause severe burns to the skin and other tissues. These can occur in workplaces, homes, or industrial environments.
- Defective Products: Faulty electrical devices can cause burns when they malfunction. If a defect leads to a burn injury, the manufacturer may be held liable.
How Much Compensation Can You Expect?
The compensation for a burn injury varies depending on the severity of the injury and the circumstances surrounding the case. Some of the factors that affect compensation include:
- Medical Expenses: These include both immediate and long-term medical costs such as hospital bills, surgeries, medications, and rehabilitation.
- Lost Wages: If your burn prevents you from working, you can claim compensation for lost income and future earnings.
- Pain and Suffering: Burn victims often experience physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma, which can be compensated in the legal process.
- Disfigurement: Permanent scarring and disfigurement may warrant additional compensation, as it affects the victim’s quality of life.
Getting Legal Help After Severe Burns
Severe burn injuries can change your life in an instant, leaving you with lasting physical and emotional scars. If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, seeking help from a Springfield personal injury lawyer can provide you with the legal support you need to seek compensation.
At Rah Law, our team, including Grant Steffen Rahmeyer and Judge Nancy Steffen Rahmeyer, is dedicated to helping burn injury victims recover and get the justice they deserve. If you’ve been injured in a burn accident, contact us today for a consultation. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
FAQs
1. What should I do if I get burned in an accident?
Seek immediate medical care and document the injury. Contact our personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
2. How long do I have to file a burn injury claim?
In Missouri, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally three years from the date of the injury.
3. Can I sue for burn injuries caused by a defective product?
Yes, if a defective product caused your burn injury, you may be able to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer or seller.
4. Can I claim compensation for emotional distress due to a burn injury?
Yes, burn injury victims can claim compensation for emotional distress, pain, and suffering in addition to medical costs and lost wages.
5. What if my burn injury was caused by negligence at work?
If your burn injury occurred due to unsafe working conditions, you may have a valid workers’ compensation or personal injury claim.
6. How is burn injury compensation determined?
Compensation depends on medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the severity of the injury. Your lawyer will help calculate this.
