A serious burn wreaks havoc on nerve endings and sends almost unbearable pain through the body. Among other injuries, the resulting trauma can even cause symptoms of PTSD, depression, and other mental health issues. The good news is that if your burns were caused through the fault or negligence of another party, that party is legally liable to compensate you for your injuries. Getting a fair settlement, however, is anything but guaranteed. This is why you need the help of a qualified personal injury lawyer who understands how to negotiate with insurance companies—and how to litigate aggressively in court, if necessary.
Here are some things to look for when choosing a personal injury attorney for your burn injury claim.
The most obvious place to start is with a lawyer who has experience litigating burn injury cases. You want someone who knows the severity of the injuries and understands the types of treatment available, as well as the potentially permanent effects. You want a lawyer who knows the laws surrounding burn injuries, as well as how insurance companies and their attorneys negotiate and litigate these claims. Also, you want an attorney who understands the extensive pain and suffering you’re going through and who knows how to incorporate those damages into the claim so you don’t settle for a lower amount than you should. When shopping around for a lawyer, therefore, be sure to ask about their experience with burn injuries. Ideally, you should seek an attorney who has actually tried burn injury cases in court.
An attorney should have experience in burn injury cases. They should also have a track record of actually winning claims for their clients. Among the cases this lawyer has taken on, how many have been won? What kind of settlement amounts has the lawyer successfully negotiated? What kind of settlements have been won in litigation? Have there been any cases with circumstances similar to yours, and how did those cases turn out?
For the best chances of success, you need an attorney who is well-respected, both in and out of the courtroom. Attorneys should have a reputation for being fair and honest and have built up a solid network of references from past clients. It’s not enough just to hire a “bulldog” type of lawyer who is aggressive in getting settlements. If that lawyer has a reputation for wreaking havoc in court and doesn’t have a good rapport with the judges, hiring that lawyer could harm your case more than help it. Get recommendations from friends or family members who have hired a lawyer in the past. You can also use online directories such as Yelp and Avvo to get a sense of how people currently feel about this attorney’s work.
Burn victims need financial help as much or more than anyone. However, burn injury claims can be difficult to negotiate and/or litigate. This is due to the ambiguity of pain and suffering claims. Our attorneys are highly skilled and experienced in burn injury cases with an excellent record of success. Call us today for a free initial consultation.
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