Because they are extremely painful and often cause permanent scarring and disfigurement, severe burns can be difficult to recover fair compensation for through a civil lawsuit or settlement demand. Even if you have substantial evidence proving that someone else’s misconduct was the direct cause of a burn, translating that evidence into a comprehensive and compelling case can be next to impossible for any injured person to manage by themselves.
Fortunately, help is available from a seasoned Bartlett burn injury lawyer with years of experience handling legal claims on behalf of people just like you. By hiring a skilled catastrophic injury attorney at the Reaves Law Firm, PLLC, you could significantly improve your chances of getting the damages you need without getting caught up in any procedural problems that might otherwise sidetrack your recovery efforts.
Just like with any other injury caused by negligence, four criteria must be met for a civil claim based on a burn injury to proceed:
The last of these components of legal negligence can actually be a bigger sticking point in burn injury litigation than might be expected. This is because first-degree burns that only damage the outer layer of skin are usually not serious enough to need any care beyond basic first aid. Even if such an injury did stem from someone else’s misconduct, it might not be enough to justify a lawsuit on its own.
Conversely, virtually all second-degree burns and third-degree burns—which can cause damage to or completely destroy multiple skin layers and tissues underneath—necessitate immediate medical attention, and even with prompt care they often result in permanent losses of sensation and scarring in the affected area(s). A Bartlett burn accident attorney could clarify whether a particular burn might warrant a legal action during a private consultation.
The severity of a burn injury not only affects whether it is possible to file a lawsuit in the first place, but also the value of that claim in the first place. Depending on the extent to which a burn injury changes a person’s life in the short and long terms, compensable damages through an ensuing civil claim or settlement demand may include:
It should also be noted that Tennessee Code §29-39-102 sets a $1,000,000 cap on recovery for non-economic damages in cases involving third-degree burns that cover 40 percent or more of the face and/or the entire body. Other burn injury claims in Bartlett are generally subject to the standard $750,000 cap, as a knowledgeable lawyer could further explain.
Burns can be catastrophic injuries in every sense of the word, changing your personal and professional life permanently in a matter of moments. If you sustained harm of this nature because another person acted irresponsibly, taking proactive legal action against that individual could be crucial to preserving your future wellbeing and personal interests.
A Bartlett burn injury lawyer could work diligently to secure the best possible result for your case. Call the Reaves Law Firm, PLLC today to learn more.
