What is the True Value of a Burn Injury Claim?

Though smoke inhalation sits at the top of the list for the injury with the most recipients following a fire, burn injuries come in at a close second. Burn injuries are probably the typical injury you think of when you picture a California wildfire blazing out of control, while people attempt to defend themselves and get to safety as quickly as possible. Burn injuries can cause outright turmoil for those who have sustained them, which is why it is imperative to speak with an attorney as soon as possible so that you can retain your rights at this time.

One of the main questions that many people have after they have sustained a burn injury is, “How much is my claim worth?” Because these injuries are severe, it might never seem like enough. Many people are left with the devastation and humiliation of burns and scars that they will have to live with for the rest of their lives, and never-ending pain that can cause chaos for those involved.

Some of the factors that play a role in these cases include the general severity of the burns, the intentions of the party who caused the burns, whether or not the at-fault party could have prevented the burns, and the extent to which a defendant is able to pay for these injuries. Burn injuries are some of the most harmful injuries that occur in a wildfire accident claim and tend to carry high settlement values, due to the fact that they are extremely painful and can lead to scarring that will follow you through the rest of your life.

As you can see, there are many aspects that will be considered as your burn injury claim is being calculated. If you are in the midst of your claim and wish to receive a settlement for a burn injury, there are many things that you must consider.

The Where and Hows 

If you are working toward a settlement for your burn injuries, you will negotiate back and forth, attempting to tell the story as you saw it through your own eyes. You experienced the burns at the hands of another party and so it is your right to tell the courts exactly what you witnessed. How and where the burn injury took place is one of the most important things that you will explain. Knowing the answer to these two questions is especially important if you are trying to move forward with a claim, as it will tell the courts who is liable for this accident based on the role they played at the time of the blaze.

Considering Punitive Damages 

In a lot of cases, especially those that involve outright and blatant recklessness by another party, you might be able to bring what are known as punitive damages against a negligent party. These types of damages will typically play a role in cases where a defendant has acted especially negligently or with “gross negligence.” These types of damages are unlike any others because they are strictly meant to punish the defendant when they have acted in a severe and reckless manner.

Because you have to be able to show without a doubt that the party acted with intentional recklessness, it is not always possible that punitive damages will play a role in your case. You never know until you speak with an attorney about your case.

Compensation for Emotional Suffering 

The pain that you feel is not just limited to what you feel on physical levels but emotional levels as well. If you have sustained emotional pain due to your burn injuries, as many victims do, the liable party might owe you for pain and suffering damages as well. There is emotional pain that a burn injury sufferer could experience in their immediate future as well because burns can easily lead to scarring and disfigurement, which can make it difficult for a person to hold social relationships and careers.

Though there is no set number for what you could receive in the midst of your pain and suffering claim, somebody who has received burn injuries all over their face might receive a bigger payoff than somebody who has a burn injury on their ankle. This is due to the distress that it could cause a person to have to face the world when they have received serious scars in an accident.

The worse the burn injuries, the higher the payout, in many cases.

Is an Attorney Right for Your Case?  

Attorneys have helped many burn injury victims receive the compensation they deserved following fires. In fact, some of the payouts in these accident cases reached the millions depending on just how bad the burns were and the impact they had yet to leave on the rest of someone’s life.

If you have fallen victim to the California Camp Fire and need help during this difficult time, our accident attorneys at Marlene Leiva Law Group are here to listen during this challenging time in your life. We understand just how devastating these injuries can be and the impact they can leave on the rest of your life. We have handled many wildfire claims in California in the past and are willing to accept your case with open arms. If you are curious about the damages you can receive in your claim or have questions for us, please reach out to us today at 415-459-7300.