
Torrance Burn Injury Lawyer
It can be quite traumatizing to suffer from burn injuries. Not only are burns painful but they can totally disfigure the victim. Some burn victims usually succumb to their injuries and die. If you are a victim of burn injuries, you should not let the at-fault party walk away without pursuing justice. You need to take action against them and get compensated. While you may be able to handle all the legal procedures on your own, for best results, it
is recommended that you hire a burn injury lawyer in Torrance. Before you embark on your search for an attorney, here is some of the basic information you need to know about burn injuries:
Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be classified as first, second, third, and fourth-degree burns. First degree is the most minor injury while fourth degree is the most severe. The injuries are as follows:
- First degree burns – non-blistered red skin
- Second degree burns – thickening of the patient's skin as well as blisters
- Third degree burns – a white appearance characterized by widespread thickness
- Fourth degree burns -- have all the features of third-degree burns and extend further into the tendons and bones
The likely causes of burns include:
- Electrical burns
- Chemical burns
- Scalding from hot liquids
- Fires
- Too much sunlight exposure
Treatment for Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are likely to damage your skin, internal tissues, nerves, and bones. You need to report to a hospital the moment you experience burn injuries. While minor burns can be treated at home by subjecting the injury to cool temperatures, third and fourth-degree burns require medical attention.
In some cases, burn victims do not feel any pain because of nerve damage. If left untreated, burn injuries can lead to infections and other complications. For example, cooling a large burn may expose one to the risk of getting hypothermia. Deep burns may be treated through skin graft surgery to promote healing. You should certainly consult with a doctor in the presence of your burn injury attorney in Torrance to determine the extent of your burns and the treatment required. Your attorney will use the medical reports as part of the evidence for your case.
Compensation for Burn Injuries
If you sustain burn injuries because of another person, you should take legal action to ensure you are fully compensated. With an experienced burn injury lawyer in Torrance by your side, you are set to get the most reasonable damage award. Some of the damages you may be entitled to include:
- Medical expenses you incurred in the past and that you are likely to incur in future
- Loss of income for both the past and future
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Humiliation
- Disfigurement
One of the factors that your burn injury attorney in Torrance will consider when reviewing your case is how you sustained the injury and where it is located. Burn injuries can arise in any setting from your workplace to your home. Your lawyer has to establish the cause of the burn since it will help them negotiate a settlement. It will determine who is to be held liable and the share of liability. If you are dealing with a company, you are likely to get a high settlement as opposed to dealing with an individual. If the burn is situated on your face, you will experience embarrassment, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress. The award you will be given for pain and suffering will depend on the location of your burn injury.
Another thing that Torrance burn injury attorneys need to establish is whether the at-fault party acted with gross negligence or intent. If this is the case, you are entitled to get punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to penalize the person who caused the incident for their misconduct and are different from actual damages. The punitive damages that you are likely to get will depend on the case and the defendant's financial position.
In personal injury lawsuits, you bear the burden of proof. You are supposed to prove that the plaintiff acted negligently. Hiring a seasoned lawyer will help you gather all the necessary proof to show negligence and justify damages.
The Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer
If you have sustained burn injuries and want to seek legal action against the person who caused this, you can easily do so on your own by filing a case in court. However, often times, the court will delay with your case and use unnecessary red tape that will discourage you to continue with legal proceedings. Furthermore, if the defendant is a company, they have enough financial resources to hire a good legal team. You will be frustrated in the preliminary court hearings, and if you go to trial, you might end up losing.
First of all, Torrance burn injury attorneys will help you to gather evidence so you do not lose out on compensation and justice for your injuries. The strength of your case is dependent on your evidence. If you can prove that the defendant was negligent and that you are innocent, you are likely to get fair compensation. Your lawyer will review police records, visit the scene of the crime to gather necessary information by taking pictures, and question witnesses. Since a lawyer has massive resources and can assign a private detective to determine the cause of the accident, your chances of having a strong case are very high.
In most personal injury claims, the defendant will want to settle. If it is an organization, a settlement will work in their best interest because they would not want the public to lose confidence in their products or services. Therefore, the company will do her best to avoid a public confrontation in court. During settlement proceedings, your lawyer will ensure you get the best possible deal.
In case the at-fault party rejects your settlement offer, the case will go to trial. During trial, the court is going to award damages depending on the strength of your evidence and how compelling your argument is. Your lawyer will represent you in court and offer the best possible legal arguments so that you are well compensated.
If you have sustained burn injuries from an accident, you must seek medical attention before you consider taking action against the at-fault party. Burn injuries are fatal and should not be left unattended. Afterwards, you need to call up your lawyer and jumpstart proceedings against the at-fault party. The damage award you will receive will depend on the severity of your burns. Hire a competent and seasoned lawyer to guarantee satisfactory compensation.