If you have suffered from a burn injury caused by another person’s negligence, you may be able to file a claim against them for financial compensation. Through a successful burn injury claim, you can recover damages for your medical expenses, lost income, and more. One of the most common questions our burn injury clients first ask is how much their claim is worth.
No one can determine the value of your claim without first fully analyzing the facts in the case. Still, there are some guidelines you can follow to estimate the worth of your claim. It is also worthwhile to note that often, burn injury claims are valued higher than other types of personal injury cases.
Why are Burn Injury Cases Different?
There is no such thing as an average burn injury case, but victims can often recover more compensation than they can for other types of injuries, such as a broken arm. Most people know the pain of a burn injury. It is reasonably easy to compare the pain of a relatively minor burn to the serious burns suffered by accident victims. As such, juries are more likely to award more damages for physical pain and suffering.
Burns can also cause permanent disfigurement and scarring, which increases a victim’s emotional distress. The constant visual reminder of the accident is taxing, and victims may even feel too embarrassed or ashamed to go out in public, which causes more emotional distress.
Lastly, a burn injury can also result in a permanent or long-term disability. When a burn affects the muscles, joints, or tendons, the damage is long-lasting. Accident victims often cannot return to work, or the same line of work they once did. That can result in a real financial loss, as well as a loss of a sense of purpose. These permanent injuries also usually require physical therapy, which is also painful.
Damages Available in Burn Injury Cases
Through a burn injury claim, you can claim compensation for any injury or other loss you incurred as a result of the accident. The most common damages awarded in burn injury claims are as follows:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
In rare cases, punitive damages are awarded. Punitive damages are only awarded when the actions of the defendant were grossly negligent or reckless. These damages do not compensate you for your losses but are meant to punish the defendant. Punitive damages are almost never part of a settlement but are more common when burn injury cases go to trial.
Our Personal Injury Attorneys in Miami Can Help with Burn Injuries
Recovering from a burn injury is a long journey. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, our Miami personal injury attorneys know that now is the time you should focus on getting better, not filing a lawsuit. Our seasoned attorneys will accurately value your claim and handle every detail so you recover the maximum damages you deserve. Call us today at 305-371-2692 or fill out our online form to request a free consultation.