Timeline for a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Texas and What to Expect

When you suffer a burn injury in Midland, you may be wondering about the process of pursuing compensation. Not only do burn injuries impact you physically and emotionally, but the medical bills, the loss of income, and property damage can take a serious toll on you and your bank account. Every year, over 40,000 people are hospitalized for burns in the United States, and those injuries can often entail substantial medical bills.

If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries, you want the Texas burn injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw on your side. Our Midland personal injury attorneys have been fighting for victims for nearly thirty years, so we have the experience to fight for you in your time of need.

Depending on the circumstances of your case, the process for your burn injury claim may vary. However, for most cases, the following is the typical timeline for a burn injury lawsuit in Texas and what to expect:

1. Medical treatment and research
   The first thing you should do after suffering a burn injury is seek medical attention. Getting your injuries evaluated by a medical professional in Midland is of the utmost importance. Not only will it put you on the fastest road to recovery, but it will also document your injuries in your medical records, which will be a key piece of evidence in your case.
   Usually, it’s best not to pursue your case until you’ve recovered. During this recovery period, you can research Midland burn injury attorneys to find out who would be right for your case.
2. Investigation and evidence collection
   Once you’ve hired a lawyer, they’ll begin by investigating your case and collecting evidence. Sometimes, this process doesn’t take long—all the evidence needed to make your case may be readily available such as your medical records and an accident report. On the other hand, it may require deeper and more intensive research to build a strong enough case.
3. Negotiations
   Before going to trial, you may be able to settle. Usually, if insurers are involved, they’ll contact you fairly soon after your accident. Our advice is to never take the first offer until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Someone with legal experience can speak with insurers on your behalf and try to negotiate a settlement that’s fair. If you can settle before needing to go to trial, it can save you a lot of time and hassle.
4. Filing and preparation
   If you can’t reach a fair settlement, you’ll have to file within the statute of limitations and prepare your case for trial. The statute of limitations is the time you’re allotted to file a personal injury claim after an injury. In Texas, the window of time to file is two years beginning on the date of your injury. If you miss this window, you may be unable to recover compensation.
5. Discovery phase
   After filing, the discovery phase begins. Each side has the opportunity to send interrogatories (questions) and documents to one another to prepare for their case. This process can take six months to a year. If you have questions about the discovery phase, ask Midland personal injury attorneys.
6. Mediation and trial
   After the discovery phase, your Midland burn injury attorney will begin to discuss settlement. For both parties, this is often the best option to avoid going to trial. If neither party is satisfied with the negotiations, however, trial may be the only choice to fight for the compensation you’re rightfully owed.

If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries, you need the Texas burn injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw. We believe in helping victims through their time of need. Our law firm has won over $1 billion for our past clients because we always fight until you’re satisfied with the results.

For a free consultation, call us today at 1-800-862-1260 or fill out our online contact form.