Lincoln Burn Injury Lawyer

Most people have experienced the discomfort of a minor burn from a stove or iron at some point in their lives. However, more severe burns could require long-term rehabilitation and multiple surgeries to treat. Even after treatment, they may still leave permanent scars. If you were injured due to another person’s negligence, a Lincoln burn injury lawyer can help.

An experienced catastrophic injury lawyer from Berry Law can advise you of your options. We will fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injury, accounting for both physical and emotional losses.

Common Types of Burn Injuries

Not all burn injuries stem from heat exposure. In addition to fire and hot objects, burn injuries may arise due to:

• Scalding liquids
• Hot steam
• Exposure abrasive chemicals
• Exposure to electrical currents
• Expose to radiation

The attorneys at Berry Law often see these types of injuries stemming from motor vehicle accidents, hazards in stores, and unsafe construction sites.

The Varying Degrees of Skin Injuries

Burns are classified based on their severity. First-degree burns typically only impact the outermost skin layer, causing visible swelling and redness. A second-degree burn impacts the outer skin layer and the layer just beneath, which can lead to blistering and discoloration.

The most severe burn is a third-degree burn, which impacts the tissue beneath the skin and causes blackened tissue and numbness. This often requires skin grafts to treat and will most likely leave permanent damage. A diligent attorney can assess the severity of your burn injuries and help you determine the value of your claim.

Liability in a Lincoln Injury Claim

Burn injury lawsuits are typically founded on a claim of negligence. To establish negligence, you must prove that the defendant owed you a duty of care, breached that duty, and directly caused your injury.

Depending on the exact cause of the accident, there could be more than one party responsible for your resulting injuries. Examples of parties who could be held liable in a Lincoln burn injury case include:

• Another motorist on the road who caused an accident
• A restaurant that served food or a drink that was too hot
• A manufacturer whose defective product caused a fire
• A building owner that had a blocked escaped route
• A company whose employee improperly handled chemicals

Sometimes, the fault does not lie with the defendant alone. If the at-fault party/person claims you bear some fault for the accident, the courts will follow the comparative negligence doctrine when awarding compensation. Any restitution awarded to you will be reduced by your share of fault under Nebraska Revised Statutes Annotated §25-21, 185.11. A Lincoln burn injury attorney could thoroughly investigate fault on all sides and determine how to pursue your injury claim.

Compensation Available for Burn Injuries

Financial compensation for burn injury claims can come in many forms. You have the opportunity to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses represent the tangible costs that arise from a burn injury, like medical bills. Non-economic losses are not so straightforward. This type of compensation covers subjective costs like pain and suffering.

Medical Costs

After a severe burn, you may require extensive medical treatment such as skin grafts, reconstructive surgeries, or other major procedures. In cases such as these, the medical costs may be overwhelming for your family. You may seek compensation for the cost of pain medication, physical therapy, hospital visits, and more in your injury claim.

Lost Wages

When recovering from a serious burn, you may have to take time from work. This could lead to a significant drop in income or lost vacation days. A legal claim can lead to compensation for these lost wages.

Diminished Earning Potential

Missing hours at work can have an immediate impact on your financial situation. However, a permanent burn injury could also affect your ability to work in the long term. If you are unable to return to the same profession after your accident, you can seek restitution for diminished earning capacity.

Disfigurement

Severe burns are known for causing disfigurement. For some people, the scarring that can come with a serious burn can lead to embarrassment and decreased self-esteem. You could obtain compensation for these types of hardships through your personal injury lawsuit.

Pain and Suffering

While any serious injury can be painful, severe burns often result in a lifetime of pain. If your burns caused nerve damage or chronic pain, you can seek this type of compensation in your claim. The determined lawyers at Berry Law will fight for adequate compensation to address the full scope of your burn injuries.

What is the Statute of Limitations?

As is the case with all jurisdictions, there is a deadline for filing a burn injury lawsuit in Lincoln. This deadline—known as the statute of limitations—could result in the dismissal of any claim that is not filed within the correct timeframe.

The statutory period for a burn injury lawsuit is four years. This means that you have exactly four years from the date of the burn accident to file a lawsuit. While four years seems like a long time, you may lose track of time and miss out on your chance to obtain compensation if you fail to file a suit quick enough. The right legal counsel can protect your rights by filing your burn injury lawsuit on time.

Speak with a Lincoln Burn Injury Attorney Today

Burn injuries differ from other types of personal injuries because they can cause painful, permanent damage. Often, both the burn and the resulting complications can require extensive medical treatment.

A Lincoln burn injury lawyer can review your case, discuss any legal questions you have, and help you identify your next steps. Call Berry Law today to schedule a free consultation.