Calculating an “average” burn injury settlement is impossible because each case’s value varies greatly. The extent of the injury, how long it prevents you from working, and the rigors of the recovery process all go into assessing your claim’s value. A burn injury lawyer can help you assess your damages and fight for a fair financial recovery.
No two settlements for any accident are exactly alike. The best way to understand the types and amounts of compensation you qualify for is to let a Rutherfordton burn injury lawyer evaluate your case. Most personal injury law firms offer free reviews and will accept your case on contingency. That means there is no risk in getting legal support for your burn injury claim.
Economic Damages Included in a Burn Injury Settlement
The economic damages your personal injury attorney requests will cover direct financial costs that might otherwise come out of your pocket.
Current and Future Medical Bills
Burns can range greatly in severity from first-degree burns (redness and blistering) to third-degree burns (full-thickness burns through all layers of skin). Some victims even suffer fourth-degree burns, which can damage bones or muscles.
Depending on the degree and severity of a burn victim’s injuries, medical bills can include:
- Emergency stabilization
- Hospital admission
- Surgical intervention
- Skin grafts
- Pain management
- Assistive medical devices
- Rehab and therapy
You can also seek damages for the costs of traveling to and from medical treatments and for any required home or vehicle modifications.
Current and Future Income Loss
Burns of any degree can be painful and prevent you from returning to work. Your burn injury lawyer can help you seek fair compensation for your lost wages, including hourly income, salary, freelance, and gig economy wages.
You can seek compensation for current and future lost income until you can return to work. If your burns are so severe that you cannot return to work or must take a lower-paying job, you can seek compensation for your loss of earning capacity.
Damages for Damaged or Destroyed Property
You can seek financial compensation for any property damaged or destroyed in a negligence-based accident, including vehicles and other personal property. If your property is repairable, you could still recover damages for its diminished value. If it is a total loss, you can seek compensation to replace it.
Non-Economic Damages Included in an Average Burn Injury Settlement
Non-economic damages are difficult to quantify because they are not measurable in the same way as economic damages. They include intangible damages like monetary compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Permanent disability
- Disfiguring injuries
- Permanent scarring
- Lost quality of life
Your legal team will collect tangible proof of their value.
Compensation for Ongoing Pain and Suffering
Burn injuries can require long-term treatment and care. You could endure skin grafts, cosmetic procedures, and potentially life-long rehabilitation. Your lawyer will assess the monetary value of your pain and suffering based on:
- The ongoing physical discomfort of your injury
- The mental and emotional toll your injuries take
Because recovering from burns can also be physically grueling, your attorney will consider this impact when assessing your damages. Your burn injury lawyer will request a medical prognosis and consult relevant experts to establish the value of this portion of your burn claim.
Compensation for Your Loss of Enjoyment of Life
The mental and emotional distress of a burn injury can include the injuries themselves and learning to cope with a change in your physical appearance and abilities. Your lawyer can help you seek compensation for the psychological care your injuries warrant.
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How a Burn Injury Attorney Can Help You Seek Financial Compensation
A personal injury attorney represents clients injured in various accidents caused by another person’s or entity’s negligence. While you focus on your recovery, your lawyer will:
- Investigate the accident that caused your injuries
- Identify the negligent party and their insurance provider
- Calculate the monetary value of your recoverable damages
- Locate and interview accident and expert witnesses
- Negotiate for a fair settlement on your behalf
Your severe burn injury attorney will handle all communication on your behalf, including verbal and written correspondence. They will also update you regularly as your case progresses and throughout negotiations.
You Have a Limited Time to File Your Burn Injury Lawsuit
An important part of recovering damages after an accidental injury is filing a civil lawsuit against the at-fault party on time. Statutes of limitations (filing deadlines) vary per state. Filing deadlines you need to know include:
- Generally, you have two years to file your personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina, according to G.S. § 1-52
- Generally, you have two years to file your personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina, according to S.C. Ann § 15-3-530
You are more likely to settle your case out of court than with a trial. However, if you do not file your lawsuit on time, the insurance company may refuse to negotiate. The court will also dismiss your lawsuit out of hand—if it allows you to file it at all.
What It Costs to Hire a Lawyer to Manage Your Burn Injury Case
It usually does not cost anything out of pocket to hire a personal injury lawyer after an accident. Instead of a retainer or hourly fees, they accept a percentage of your settlement as compensation. If you do not get compensation, you will not owe your lawyer anything.
Get Legal Support for Your Burn Injury Case
If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury due to negligence, you can seek damages from the liable party. A burn injury settlement can compensate you for your medical bills, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and more. Our personal injury law firm will handle your case, including negotiating a favorable settlement.
Every burn injury case has a unique value. Find out how much compensation you can recover. Contact our case review team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC to get started today.