A severe burn can be life-altering and may take years to treat. Burns are often permanent, and even with the best medical intervention, victims may never fully recover. Even a minor or moderate burn can have drastic consequences, requiring extensive hospitalizations, plastic surgeries, and other treatments to heal the skin and return it to its pre-burn state. Unfortunately, burn injuries also leave victims with lifelong emotional scars from the trauma and disfigurement they may cause. If someone else’s negligence or deliberate actions caused your burn injury, you can hold them accountable and seek justice and financial compensation for what you have endured.
Contact us today to speak with a New Jersey burn injury attorney!
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Many different objects, products, and scenarios can cause burn injuries. Common causes of burn injuries that we routinely see are:
- House fires,
- Motor vehicle accidents,
- Workplace accidents,
- Explosions,
- Flammable clothing or furniture,
- Chemicals,
- Electrocution,
- Scalding hot water,
- Surgical burns,
- Airbag burns, and
- Dangerous or defective products.
The cause of the burn will often dictate the extent of the injury and the necessary treatment. For instance, chemical burns might require different treatment than traditional fire burns. No matter the cause, seeking specialized medical care for any burn injury is imperative, even if you think you can treat it yourself. Burns can quickly become infected and worsen without proper medical attention.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Burn Injury Claims in New Jersey?
Like any personal injury lawsuit, every burn injury lawsuit is subject to a statute of limitations or deadline by which victims must file their case.
Generally, in New Jersey, burn injury lawsuits must be brought within two years from the date of the accident. However, certain exceptions can extend or decrease this deadline. For instance, there are exceptions extending the timeframe for filing a lawsuit for injured minors under 18 years old. However, if the defendant you seek to sue for your burn injury is a government entity, you may have as little as 90 days to bring your claim. Meeting with an experienced attorney as soon as you can protect your rights is essential.
Why Hire a New Jersey Burn Injury Lawyer?
A burn victim is not legally required to hire an attorney to pursue a lawsuit. However, we strongly recommend meeting with an established law firm or experienced attorney before proceeding independently. Burn injury cases can be complicated and complex. Our burn injury attorneys can help with every aspect of your case.
Investigation
Burn cases often require an extensive investigation to determine the nature and cause.
We will assist with compiling all the relevant evidence for your case, including:
- The accident or police report,
- Pictures of the accident scene and accident recreation,
- Medical records,
- Eyewitness statements, and
- Expert opinion and testimony.
Burn accident investigations can be time-consuming. Let us help you while you focus on your recovery.
Negotiation
Most personal injury claims, including burn injury cases, are resolved in a settlement. We will take on the role of negotiating with the insurance company and defendant throughout the case. We will negotiate a fair and appropriate settlement on your behalf, and if we do not believe the offer is reasonable, we will proceed to trial.
Trial Advocacy
We are ready to proceed to trial if your case does not settle. The thought of a jury trial can be intimidating and scary to many people, but with the right attorneys on your side, you have nothing to fear. We have extensive experience taking on even the largest insurance companies and defendants.
Burn Injury Damages
If a burn injury victim successfully brings a claim or lawsuit, they can seek several types of compensation for their injuries. The types and amount of damages you may be entitled to will depend on the facts and circumstances of your case and whether you are successful. There are generally three types of damages available.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are compensatory damages to compensate victims for their actual, calculable losses, including:
- Past and future medical expenses,
- Lost wages,
- Lost or reduced earning capacity, and
- Property damage.
Economic losses are typically the easiest to quantify using records, receipts, and estimates, so be sure to hang on to any documents reflecting your expenses.
Noneconomic Damages
Noneconomic damages are also compensatory and meant to compensate a victim for the intangible and subjective losses that occur because of their injuries. In other words, noneconomic losses are unique to each victim and are more difficult to prove due to their subjective nature. These include:
- Pain and suffering,
- Scarring and disfigurement, and
- Emotional distress.
Noneconomic damages are more challenging to quantify because they are unique to the individual. A seasoned New Jersey burn injury attorney can help you gather evidence to prove your noneconomic damages.
Punitive Damages
Last, there may be punitive damages awarded in particularly egregious cases. These damages are sparsely awarded and meant to punish the most negligent defendants and act as a deterrent to others who might act in a similar manner. Reach out to speak with a New Jersey burn injury lawyer about your case.
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