A burn injury lawyer in Virginia Beach is your best ally in getting fair compensation from a negligent party. Find out when to hire one and their functions.
If you have suffered catastrophic injuries like a burn injury, you’re probably wondering who you should talk to. Other questions on your mind could be who will pay my medical bills? Can I receive compensation for my injuries? The burn injury lawyers at Virginia Injury Law have all the answers you need.
If you or someone you love suffered burn injuries from any type of accident, let the experienced team from Virginia Injury Law guide you through your time of need and help you seek justice. Our burn injury lawyers are dedicated to helping you get fair compensation for your injury. We’ve helped our clients win millions of dollars, and we can do the same for you.
What Is a Burn Injury?
A burn injury is a wound to the skin or other organic tissue caused by heat or radiation, friction, radioactivity, electricity, or contact with chemicals. There are four degrees of burn injuries, with fourth-degree burn being the most severe and sometimes fatal burn wound.
There are different types of burn injuries. Below are some types that our experienced attorneys have come across.
Friction Burns
This type of burn occurs when a hard object rubs off some of your skin. A friction burn is one of the physical injuries you could get from an automobile accident. However, it is not as severe as other automobile accident wounds like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries.
Cold Burns
This type of burn injury is also referred to as frostbite. This is one of the types of injuries that occur when something freezes your skin. You can get a cold burn by simply being outside in freezing conditions. It could also be due to being outdoors for extended periods.
Thermal Burns
This is common in defective product cases, which fall under the personal injury law. It involves a very hot object raising your skin temperature till your skin cell begins to die. Several hot metals, flames, and scalding liquid can cause a thermal burn, putting you in severe physical pain.
Radiation and Chemical Burns
Chemicals don’t only cause a brain injury; they could also cause burn injuries. You can also suffer radiation burns or sunburn. Some other sources include radiation therapy or x-ray. Additionally, strong acids can cause your skin to burn and lead to a permanent injury.
Electrical Burn
Another type of burn injury you could get financial compensation for is electrical burns. If you come in contact with an electrical current, it could cause a burn on your skin. This type of burn is common in product liability cases.
Proving Fault in Your Burn Injury Case
If you’ve been seriously injured in any type of accident like a motor vehicle accident, the burn injury lawyers in Virginia Beach can thoroughly investigate the accident. We are a personal injury law firm with extensive experience to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Once we gather the evidence required using our legal resources, we will sort and analyze the evidence to decide how the accident occurred. For example, suppose a truck accident caused the accident. First, we will gather proof like photos from the accident scene, the police report, witness statements, video footage, etc.
However, the general standard of proving liability in a burn injury case is showing that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care which they breached. Next, you must show how the breached duty led to your physical injuries and the financial costs (damages) incurred as a result. Again, your lawyer can help with establishing the preceding.
How Long Do You Have to File a Burn Injury Case
Although the recovery period is usually a difficult time as it can also be an emotional time, the injured party must quickly file a personal injury lawsuit. However, there’s a time limit on when you can file a claim, and it is best not to wait till the deadline passes.
In Virginia, the deadline for filing a burn injury claim is two years. Afterward, the court will refuse to accept your case. Therefore, you must use the limited time to prove your case and get compensation from the fault at-fault driver or party.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Collect in a Burn Injury Case?
Many injury victims face difficult times when recovering from a burn injury. Additionally, a burn injury can sometimes lead to wrongful death, and you can also collect compensation for this in wrongful death claims. The extent of your damage determines the compensation you can receive from your burn injury case.
Therefore, if you suffer severe damage, you might be able to recover thousands of dollars. Below is an overview of the compensation you can receive in a burn injury claim.
Medical Bills
The at-fault party must pay for your medical bills. This covers surgeries, rehabilitative care, and even prescription medications. In addition, if you suffer other injuries like neck injuries, spine injuries, head injuries, or other damages, the treatment cost must be included when recovering medical bills.
Loss of Wages
The at-fault party also needs to pay for your lost wages. This type of compensation is common in personal injury claims, and it also covers loss of earning capacity and loss of future income.
Property Damage
If the fire or accident that caused your burn also damaged your property, you could recover damages.
Pain and Suffering
This is non-economic damage and covers your emotional distress. Many people face emotional trauma during recovery, and although it is intangible harm, it is just as important and could be included in your accident claim.
Punitive Damages
Most burn injury victims wonder when they can recover punitive damages when making burn accident claims. In Virginia Beach, there are limited situations when you can sue for punitive damages. This type of damage is also referred to as exemplary damages and is intended to punish the responsible person.
When To Hire a Burn Injury Attorney in Virginia Beach
When someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions cause you harm, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your damages; to do this, you will file a personal injury claim. If your family member tragically died due to another party’s negligence, you may seek recovery by filing a wrongful death claim.
In either case, these claims are typically filed against the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, despite your legal right to pursue compensation, the liable insurance company may take steps to devalue or even deny your claim altogether.
If you experience any issues with your claim or want maximum compensation, reach out to a personal injury attorney. Remember: insurance companies are businesses, and, like any other business, they are primarily concerned with lowering their costs and increasing their profits.
Having experienced personal injury lawyers on your side could make all the difference in successfully recovering compensation for all of your damages. A lawyer investigates your claim, offers legal counsel, negotiates with the fault party’s insurer, and represents you in court if necessary. In addition, they protect your rights and explain the legal process to you.
Contact Us Today!
At Virginia Injury Law, our burn injury lawyers have the legal knowledge and experience to win your case. So, while you recover, we will handle the legal matters and protect your rights. We work on a contingency fee basis and will not charge upfront fees. Contact us today for a free case review.