Every year, approximately 180,000 deaths are caused by burns.
Even if it’s not fatal, a burn injury can still be seriously debilitating and negatively affect your quality of life.
Have you recently experienced a burn injury? Are you considering taking legal action?
If so, read on to learn more and find out when you should hire a burn injury attorney.
What Does a Burn Injury Lawyer Do?
A burn injury attorney is a type of personal injury attorney.
As the name would suggest, they specialize in helping clients who have suffered from burn injuries (typically burn injuries that happened while the person was on the job). Burn injury attorneys work with these people to file lawsuits so they can get compensated for hospital bills, physical therapy, occupational therapy, the unpaid time they had to take off from work, etc.
What to Do After a Burn Injury?
If you’ve recently experienced a burn injury at work, the first thing you need to do is seek medical attention. Go to the doctor right away and have your burn treated by a professional.
Setting aside risks of infection, scarring, and permanent damage, remember that the longer you wait after your burn injury occurs, the harder it will be to build a strong case and get the compensation you deserve. Seeing a doctor right away also gives you a headstart on gathering documentation that supports your case and makes your attorney’s job easier.
When Should You Hire a Burn Injury Attorney?
After you’ve suffered a burn injury, your first priority should be to see a doctor. Your next priority, though, should be to reach out to a burn injury attorney.
Even if you’re not sure if you have a case, you should still get in touch with an attorney. They can give you their professional opinion and give you some suggestions on the right way to proceed.
How Do I Know If I Have a Case?
Are you nervous about contacting an attorney? Are you unsure of whether or not you have a case?
Here are a few situations that indicate you need to hire a burn injury attorney:
- You have severe burn injuries that require surgeries, physical therapy, or other types of long-term treatments
- Your employer is refusing to pay for injuries you suffered while on the job
- Your injuries are the result of improper safety precautions in the workplace (such as lack of protective equipment)
If you’re still on the fence, keep in mind, too, that most personal injury attorneys will offer a free 15-20-minute consultation. Because of this, there’s virtually no risk in just sitting down and meeting with someone.
What If I Can’t Afford an Attorney?
In general, burn injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, too. This means you don’t have to pay them upfront for their services. They’ll take a percentage of your settlement after it’s been paid out instead.
How to Choose a Burn Injury Attorney
If you decide that you want to hire a burn injury attorney, be sure to do your homework and choose the best person for the job. Here are some tips that will help you find a great lawyer:
Ask for a Referral
Do you know anyone who has worked with a personal injury attorney in the past? If so, reach out to them and ask if they would recommend them to you.
If you have worked with a different type of attorney in the past, you can also contact them and see if they have any colleagues in the personal injury field that they can refer you to.
Both of these options are good ways to start building a list of potential candidates. It helps you to narrow down your search and feel less overwhelmed.
Consider Credentials
Once you have a list of candidates, consider each attorney’s credentials.
Where did they earn their law degree? How long have they been practicing? Are they affiliated with any professional organizations?
You don’t necessarily need to work with a Harvard-educated burn injury attorney to win your case and get a good settlement. Knowing the basics of each person’s background can help you narrow down your options further, though, and find someone you’re comfortable working with.
Review Track Records
In addition to considering each person’s credentials, look into their track record, too.
Have they had any disciplinary actions taken against them by the state bar association? Has their license ever been suspended?
These are red flags and could indicate that the attorney you’re thinking about hiring isn’t a good fit for you or won’t have your best interests in mind.
Schedule a Consultation
One of the best ways to find a good burn injury attorney is to schedule a consultation. As we mentioned above, most attorneys offer free consultations, so you can get to know someone risk-free and see if they’re a good fit.
Scheduling a consultation also allows you to get a feel for the attorney’s office and their staff. Does it seem like a comfortable, inviting place? Are the receptionists, paralegals, and other staff members polite and professional?
You’re going to be working with this person a lot and spending a lot of time in their office, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with everyone else on their team.
Ask About Fees
During your consultation, be sure to ask about fees. How much do they charge for their services? Do they work on a contingency basis?
Any personal injury law firm worth working with will be upfront about their fees and the cost of their services. Be wary of anyone who seems shady or tries to dodge this simple question.
Work with a Burn Injury Lawyer Today
Do you need to work with a burn injury attorney? If so, follow the steps outlined above so you can choose the right person to represent you and help you get the compensation you deserve.
If you need more general legal advice, check out the Law section of our site today. We have lots of helpful articles here that can point you in the right direction.
