Burn injuries caused by fire, explosions, or hazardous chemicals can cause long-lasting pain and disfigurement. If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury, you know just how devastating burns can be. Many burn victims are left with massive medical bills for emergency room treatment, hospital care, surgery, medication, and rehabilitative care. They are often unable to work for days, weeks, or months after the injury. Some burn victims are never able to return to their preferred line of work.
Fortunately, burn injury victims may be able to seek financial restitution for these and other damages through a personal injury claim.
Liability for Burns Caused in an Accident
When another party’s negligence or wrongful actions cause someone to suffer a severe burn injury, that party should be held accountable. Liability, or legal responsibility, for burns may lie with many different parties. In many cases, fault for a serious burn injury lies with more than one individual or company.
Drivers who are distracted, intoxicated, speeding, or otherwise driving negligently can cause horrific car accidents because of their carelessness. High-speed crashes may cause fiery explosions resulting in catastrophic or fatal burn injuries. Truck drivers that fail to properly load and secure cargo can also cause accidents in which people suffer chemical or thermal burns- especially if the truck was carrying hazardous materials or toxic chemicals. Often, the liable party in a truck accident is the trucking company or carrier.
Liability for a severe burn injury may also fall to a property owner or manager. For example, a retail store with insufficient smoke detectors may be liable if a customer is burned in a preventable fire. If a severe burn occurred on residential property such as someone’s home, the property owner’s homeowner’s insurance company may be liable for damages.
Filing an Injury Claim for a Severe Burn
An injury claim may allow for the recovery of economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are financial losses like medical bills, lost income, and lost earning capacity. Non-economic damages are intangible losses that cannot be demonstrated with a receipt or bill. Pain and suffering, emotional distress, lost enjoyment of life, and disfigurement caused by the burns may be compensable in Wisconsin.
If you or a loved one suffered a burn because of another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, it is important to contact a personal injury lawyer right away. Evidence like security camera footage or 911 transcripts must be preserved and obtained shortly after the injury. Witness statements should also be procured soon after the injury while the incident is still fresh in the witnesses’ memories.
Contact an Appleton Burn Injury Lawyer
The Green Bay personal injury attorneys at Herrling Clark Law Firm Ltd. understand just how devastating burn injuries can be. We can help you determine the liable parties, preserve and collect evidence, and bring a compelling claim for damages. Call 920-739-7366 for a consultation.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burns/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20370545