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Many people have been burned in one way or another. But a kitchen mistake that results in a minor burn on your finger isn't the same as a severe burn injury that leaves you with permanent scarring and trauma. A severe burn injury can leave you with physical and psychological scars. After a catastrophic injury, you might also incur significant medical bills for expenses like surgery, therapy, and medication.

While in some instances, there may be no one to blame for your injuries, this isn't always the case. If someone else's negligence caused your burn injuries, you might be eligible for compensation for the damages.

Insurance adjusters, landlords, and other responsible parties will try to minimize payouts for personal injury claims. For this reason, you’ll want the legal guidance of an experienced burn injury lawyer who understands the claims process. A lawyer can help you prove negligence and hold the responsible party accountable for their actions or omissions.

Some of the common causes of burn injuries in Richmond, VA, include:

How Can a Burn Injury Attorney Help You?

If you’ve sustained burn injuries and believe someone else is to blame for your accident, it's best to contact a burn injury lawyer in Richmond, VA. A lawyer can help you throughout the claims process. They can also represent you in Virginia courts. Here's why you should consider hiring an attorney for your burn injury claim.

Determines if Legal Action Is Necessary

Not every injury warrants a personal injury claim. An attorney can look into the facts of your case and advise you regarding your legal options. 

To have a valid claim, your attorney must establish who was at fault. Another person or entity must be responsible for your injury. Your injuries and losses must also be directly linked to the defendant's actions. An experienced burn injury lawyer near Richmond can gather and analyze evidence to determine whether you have a valid claim.

Clarifies Negligence and Burn Injury Victim Rights

Negligence is the basis of all tort law. Negligence is the failure to exercise ordinary care when performing an activity. 

The state of Virginia applies pure contributory negligence rules when determining liability. This implies that the other person must share 100% of the blame for you to receive compensation for your losses.

Both plaintiffs and defendants in burn injury cases have legal rights. A burn injury attorney from Richmond, VA, can explain your rights and responsibilities after a burn injury. This ensures you don't jeopardize your claim by speaking to the defendant's lawyers or posting on social media about your injury.

Discovers Maximum Compensation For Damages

A lawyer who deals with personal injury claims on a routine basis is better placed to provide a more accurate estimate of your claim. They can determine the value of your claim by analyzing the damages you could potentially seek depending on the facts of your case.

To prove damages, your Richmond burn injury lawyer may require:

  • Copies of receipts
  • Testimonies from family members, friends, and mental health experts
  • Tax records showing your earnings
  • Expert opinion regarding future medical expenses and future earnings

Helps File Burn Injury Claims or Third-Party Claims

Virginia has a two-year deadline for personal injury claims. An experienced attorney can conduct thorough investigations and file your claim before it's too late. Remember, you can't file a claim to receive compensation once the statute of limitations expires.

With the help of a lawyer, you can find out who is responsible for your accident, determine your claim's value, and file your claim on time. An attorney can also help you file a claim against the defendant's insurance company — a third-party claim.

Handles the Burn Injury Lawsuit Process

Burn victims may require long-term medical treatment and extensive hospital stays. You don't have to worry about dealing with the insurance company or your landlord after a fire incident. A burn injury attorney in Richmond, VA, can handle your lawsuit while you rest and recover. 

An experienced lawyer can deal with out-of-court communications and represent you in court. They can represent your interests in a civil trial to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Does Financial Compensation Differ Between Types of Burn Injuries?

The amount of compensation burn victims can recover for their injuries varies depending on numerous factors. The nature and severity of the burn injury is the main factor that affects financial compensation. Compensation for burn injury claims and lawsuits may range between several thousand dollars and several million dollars.

When calculating compensation for burn injuries, judges and juries consider:

  • The severity of the injuries
  • Whether the victim will fully recover
  • Where the injuries occurred
  • Whether the injuries will affect their occupation
  • Whether the injuries will affect the victim's spouse and family members
  • The victim's age

No two burn injury claims are alike. A court must consider the facts of your case to arrive at a fair compensation amount.

The extent of your burn injuries may fall into these categories:

  • First-degree burns: Damage to the skin's outer layer, characterized by minor inflammation and redness of the skin.
  • Second-degree burns: Damage to the skin's outer and underneath layer, characterized by extremely blistered, red skin with intense pain.
  • Third-degree burns: Damage to the skin's deepest layer and the tissues underneath. The skin may appear yellow or white and become infected.
  • Fourth-degree burns: Serious burns that can be life-threatening. Victims require immediate and effective medical care.

Electrical burns, gas explosions, friction, chemical burns, radiation burns, and inhalation burns are some of the ways victims in Richmond suffer burn injuries.

Find an Experienced Burn Injury Lawyer in Richmond Today

Burn injuries are traumatic injuries that can be expensive to treat. Some burn degrees may take years to heal, while others may impact your entire life. Even first-degree burn injuries may become infected and require immediate medical attention.

If you or your loved one are victims of burn injuries due to someone else's carelessness or negligence, contact a reliable personal injury law firm near Richmond. The experienced burn injury lawyers from Commonwealth Law Group can help you recover losses related to your burn trauma. Get started now before it's too late to file your claim.

If you have been injured at work or through the negligence of another individual or entity, contact us at (804) 999-9999 or or use the form below to connect with our legal team. We will fight to get you the justice you deserve.