What Can I Expect From a Burn Accident Lawsuit in Longmont CO?
According to the American Burn Association, over one million burn injuries occur in the United States each year, with someone being injured in a fire every 23 minutes. In 2019, Longmont Colorado alone had 184 fires requiring assistance from the fire department.
If you are one of the unlucky ones facing burn injuries, a Longmont burn accident lawyer can assess your case for potential compensation. Carabin Shaw attorneys specialize in injury claims and are committed to advocating for clients and their families. Call us for a free case review.
Filing a Lawsuit for Burn InjuriesSome burns are simply accidents, but some could have been avoided. This may be due to negligence or malicious intent. For example, a property manager who does not fix a broken emergency exit door or an angry individual who purposefully sets a fire—they are responsible for any resulting injuries.
In these cases, burn victims may have grounds for a lawsuit in an attempt to hold the responsible parties accountable and seek compensation. In order to assess if you have a case, your lawyer must establish liability and damages.
Establishing Liability and Proving Negligence for Burn InjuriesThe first step in a burn accident lawsuit is proving who was liable for the injuries through negligence or malicious action. Burn injury attorneys in Longmont can do this on your behalf. Liable parties could include:
- Landlords who do not install smoke alarms.
- Equipment manufacturers who put unsafe appliances or parts on the market.
- Colleagues who do not follow safety precautions.
- Employers who do not provide safety equipment.
- Electricians who install outdated or faulty wiring.
These are just some of the many examples where liability can be established for your injuries. If negligence can be proven, Colorado personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw can then assess your damages to seek appropriate compensation.
However, it’s important to know that burn injuries at work in Colorado are covered by workers’ compensation. This means you cannot sue your employer, even if they were negligent, but you may be able to sue a third party such as an equipment manufacturer. Carabin Shaw can help you navigate workers’ comp claims and assess who can be held accountable.
Common Damages in Burn Injury LawsuitsIf you’ve ever wondered what can I expect from a burn accident lawsuit? the best-case scenario is receiving compensation for damages. Compensation is used to restore victims to their original state of wellbeing before the accident occurred. Although monetary recovery can’t erase the permanent scars of burn injuries, it can help you overcome the challenges. Damages in burn accident lawsuits include:
Medical BillsSome burns require extensive medical treatment, such as skin grafting or plastic surgery. You may also require ongoing physical or psychological therapy for a full recovery.
Lost Income or Earning PotentialIf you’ve missed work while recovering from injury, or if you became permanently disfigured or disabled due to burns, your income and future career options will be affected.
Pain and SufferingPhysical scarring, PTSD, and other types of trauma are not uncommon after burns and greatly affect your quality of life. While a bit more challenging to quantify than direct economic damages, pain and suffering can still be considered damages.
The severity of your burns—including the degree of your injury—how much of your body was affected, and your potential for full recovery will all affect the amount of compensation you may be awarded. This is why an experienced lawyer is vital—because they are skilled at proving damages and advocating for your deserved compensation.
Free Initial Consultations With Carabin ShawTo learn more about what to expect from a burn accident lawsuit, contact a Longmont burn accident lawyer at Carabin Shaw. We offer free case reviews, and we continually fight for our clients’ rights.
Call us toll-free at 800-862-1260. English and Spanish speakers are available day and night.