How to Get Legal Help for Burn Injuries

Burns aren't just painful in the moment. They often require complex, long-term treatment and can cause additional complications such as disfigurement or a permanent disability. The good news for burn victims is that, if their injuries were caused by the negligence or active malfeasance of another party, it may be possible to obtain compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

How to Choose a Lawyer Based on Claim Type

All burns are personal injuries, but not all personal injury claims are the same. Burn injury victims can either work with a law firm like The Dixon Injury Firm that provides comprehensive representation for burn victims, regardless of how the injuries came about, or they can ask about more specific practice areas. Practice areas that may cover burn injuries include the following.

Negligence-Based Personal Injury Claims

People can usually expect others around them to uphold a certain duty of care. This is the case whether they're visitors to a residential property, shoppers at a store, or diners at a restaurant. If someone else's negligence or wrongdoing caused the burn, the victim may be able to file a personal injury claim against the responsible party regardless of where the injurious incident took place.

Premises Liability Claims

Burn victims who were injured on other people's properties may be able to file premises liability claims. Of course, those claims will only hold up to scrutiny if the condition of the property contributed to the accident that caused the burn.

Product Liability Claims

When products are defective or unsafely designed, those issues can lead to burn injuries. One common example is pressure cooker explosions, but any product that contains electrical wiring in conjunction with flammable elements can catch fire and cause burns if it's improperly designed or manufactured. 

Workers' Compensation Claims

All employers above a certain size must carry workers' compensation insurance. The coverage is designed to offer compensation to workers who were injured on the job, including those who have suffered serious burns. If a workers' comp claim is denied, the best thing to do is head to a lawyer right away.

Wrongful Death Claims

If a family member dies from a burn injury caused by another person's negligence or wrongdoing, surviving family members can file a legal claim on behalf of the deceased. It's called a wrongful death claim and aims to provide surviving family members with compensation to cover funeral-related expenses, lost income, and other damages.

What to Expect at the Initial Consultation

All personal injury lawyers will establish relationships with new clients during initial consultations. Clients should be prepared to answer questions about their injuries, including the circumstances surrounding them and the medical care required as a result of the injury, and should bring copies of any relevant documents. Once the lawyer has reviewed the evidence, he or she will offer a professional opinion about whether the victim has a case and the best ways to move forward.

Since most law firms offer free initial consultations, this first meeting is also a great time for burn injury victims to ask questions and determine whether a particular lawyer will be a good fit. Personal injury victims can even schedule consultations with multiple firms.

Start the Search Now

A burn victim's first priority should be seeking medical care. However, once the victim has been stabilized, it's time to start investigating lawyers. Hiring a lawyer is the best way to hold a negligent party accountable and get the compensation needed to ensure a smooth recovery.