FLORIDA BURN INJURY LAWYERS
Lake Mary Burn Injury Attorney
Burn injuries are among the most painful and devastating types of personal injuries a person can experience. Whether caused by a car accident, workplace incident, defective product, or unsafe premises, burn injuries can lead to life-changing physical, emotional, and financial consequences. If you or someone you love has suffered a burn injury in Lake Mary or Seminole County, Florida, it is essential to understand your legal rights and the steps you can take to pursue justice and fair compensation.
At Chubb Law, our Lake Mary personal injury lawyers help burn injury victims seek justice and compensation for their losses. Our experienced attorneys thoroughly understand burn injury cases and are ready to assist you through the legal process.
Burn Injury Statistics
Each year, burns injure thousands of people across the United States. According to the American Burn Association’s Burn Incidence Fact Sheet, more than 29,000 individuals are admitted to the hospital for burn injuries annually. Almost 800 of those patients die from their injuries.
In Florida, burn injuries are a serious concern. The state has a high rate of burn injuries due to factors such as high temperatures, frequent use of fireworks, and the prevalence of industrial operations. Seminole County is no exception, with a range of potential hazards that could lead to burns.
What You Need to Know About Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are classified by their severity, with the most serious cases requiring extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and possibly long-term care. Heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation can cause burns. They can result in serious damage to the skin, muscles, and other tissues and, in some cases, can cause permanent disfigurement or disability.
There are several types of burns:
- First-degree: These burns affect the outer layer of skin, causing redness, pain, and swelling. They are typically minor and heal on their own within a few days.
- Second-degree: These burns affect both the outer layer and underlying layers of skin. They cause blisters, severe pain, and swelling and may leave scars.
- Third-degree: These burns penetrate all layers of skin and can damage nerves, muscles, and bones. Due to nerve damage, they may not be immediately painful, but they are the most severe and often require skin grafts, surgery, or amputations.
- Fourth-degree: These burns are the most extreme, affecting deep tissue and bones, and are often life-threatening.
Regardless of the severity, burns can lead to long-term physical and emotional challenges. Severe burns may require surgery, skin grafts, and months of rehabilitation to help you regain some normal functionality.
Understanding Burn Injuries in Seminole County
Burn injury cases in Lake Mary and Seminole County require an understanding of the physical effects of burns and the legal considerations that come with these accidents. Florida law provides a clear legal framework for seeking compensation after a burn injury, but navigating this process requires the help of our qualified attorneys with experience in handling personal injury claims.
Seminole County has a significant population and busy commercial and industrial sectors. Due to high levels of traffic, construction sites, and manufacturing operations, accidents that result in burn injuries are unfortunately common in this area.
Key Legal Concepts in Burn Injury Lawsuits
Burn injury lawsuits are complex and involve several key legal concepts. These include:
- Negligence: This legal theory holds that a person or entity owes a duty of care to others and fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm.
- Strict liability: In cases involving defective products, such as faulty wiring or dangerous chemicals, the manufacturer or seller may be held strictly liable for burn injuries caused by their products.
- Vicarious liability: Employers may be held liable for the actions of their employees in certain situations. For example, the employer may be responsible if a worker causes a burn injury while performing their job.
Legal Rights of Burn Injury Victims
As a burn injury victim, you have the legal right to pursue compensation for your injuries. In Florida, this includes the right to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
If your burn injury was caused by someone else’s negligence or intentional act, you can file a lawsuit and potentially recover damages from the responsible party or parties.
Damages You Can Recover from Burn Injury Accidents
In a burn injury lawsuit, you can recover several types of damages, depending on the circumstances of your case:
Economic Damages
- Medical expenses: Past and future medical costs, including hospitalization, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages: Compensation for income lost due to the inability to work while recovering from the injury
- Loss of earning capacity: Compensation for the diminished ability to earn a living if your burn injury results in permanent disability or disfigurement
Non-Economic Damages
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical and emotional pain you endured because of the injury
- Emotional distress: Compensation for the mental and emotional toll caused by the injury, including anxiety, depression, and trauma
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the impact your injury has on your relationship with a spouse or family member
Punitive Damages
In cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly reckless or malicious, the court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter others from similar.
Insurance Coverage for Burn Injury Accidents
Most burn injury cases involve insurance claims. If you have been injured in an accident, you may be able to recover compensation through the responsible party’s insurance policy. This could include:
- Auto insurance: May cover liability for accidents involving motor vehicles
- Commercial liability insurance: May cover liability for accidents that occur on business property
- Homeowner’s insurance: May cover liability for accidents that occur on someone’s property
- Renter’s insurance: May cover liability for accidents that occur on rented property
However, insurance companies often try to minimize payouts or deny claims. Having experienced burn injury lawyers Mitch Chubb and Christopher Pettus by your side can help ensure you receive the maximum compensation available under the law.
Common Types of Burn Injury Cases We Handle in Seminole County
At Chubb Law, we handle a wide range of burn injury cases, including:
- Car accidents: Vehicle accidents, including crashes involving gasoline or electrical fires
- Workplace injuries: Accidents on construction sites or in industrial settings, where burns are common due to hazardous materials, machinery, or fires
- Defective products: Claims against manufacturers of faulty products, such as defective space heaters, electrical appliances, or chemicals
- Premises liability: Injuries caused by unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, such as gas leaks, fire hazards, or electrical malfunction
- Medical malpractice: Injuries caused by medical professionals, such as burns from surgical errors or improper handling of equipment
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Fires: House fires, car fires, and industrial fires
- Explosions: Chemical explosions, gas leaks, or fireworks accidents
- Scalding: Burns caused by hot liquids or steam, common in kitchen accidents or industrial settings
- Electrical burns: Contact with faulty electrical equipment or wiring
- Chemical burns: Exposure to corrosive chemicals in workplaces or due to consumer products
- Radiation burns: Exposure to excessive radiation
What to Do After a Burn Injury
If you or a loved one suffers a burn injury, it is critical to take immediate steps to protect your health and your legal rights:
- Seek medical attention: Even if the burn seems minor, getting medical treatment as soon as possible is essential.
- Document the injury: Photograph the burn and the surrounding area. Gather evidence supporting your case, such as witness statements and accident reports.
- Contact an attorney: Contact our experienced Lake Mary burn injury lawyers, who can guide you through the legal process.
The Cost of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries often require expensive medical treatment, long recovery periods, and ongoing rehabilitation. According to the American Burn Association (ABA), medical treatment for burns exceeds $1.5 million, and costs associated with lost work are another $5 billion. The financial burden can be overwhelming, especially if the injury results in permanent disability. You may be entitled to compensation that covers immediate medical costs and future expenses, such as ongoing care, physical therapy, and lost wages.
Burn Injury Accident Claim Process in Florida
The process of filing a burn injury claim in Florida typically involves several steps:
- Consult with an attorney: We will evaluate your case, investigate the cause of the injury, and determine who is at fault.
- File an insurance claim: We will help you file a claim with the appropriate insurance company.
- Negotiate a settlement: We resolve many burn injury claims through settlement negotiations.
- Litigation: If we cannot reach a fair settlement, we may file a lawsuit and take your case to court.
Why You Should Choose Chubb Law for Your Burn Injury Case
At Chubb Law, we are committed to advocating for burn injury victims and helping them recover the compensation they deserve. Our experienced attorneys have a 99.9% success rate in recovering compensation for our personal injury clients. We will work tirelessly to investigate your case, build a strong claim, and help you receive the maximum compensation available.
We Answer Your Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries da
What should I do if the insurance company offers me a settlement?
Before accepting any settlement offer, it is essential to speak with an attorney who can evaluate whether the offer is fair and adequately covers your medical expenses and losses.
How much can I recover in a burn injury lawsuit?
The amount of compensation you can recover depends on the injury’s severity, the impact on your life, and the financial losses you have incurred. Our skilled attorneys can help you determine the value of your claim.
Building a Strong Case for a Burn Injury
To build a strong case, we will gather evidence, including:
- Medical records
- Accident reports
- Photographs
- Witness statements
- Expert testimony
You must act quickly, as evidence can be lost or damaged over time.
Florida Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is typically two years from the injury date. This means you must file your claim within this time frame or risk losing your right to seek compensation.
Establishing Negligence in a Florida Burn Injury Case
To successfully recover compensation for your burn injury, we must establish that the defendant’s negligence caused your injury. This typically involves proving the following elements:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care.
- The defendant breached that duty.
- The breach caused your burn injury.
- You suffered damages as a result.
Comparative Fault in a Burn Injury Claim
Florida follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that even if you are partially responsible for your burn injury, you can still recover damages. However, the amount of compensation you can receive will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% responsible for the injury, your recovery will be reduced by 20%.
Liability in Burn Injury Accidents
Liability in burn injury cases can fall on a variety of parties, including:
- Property owners: If the accident occurred on someone else’s property, the owner may be liable if they were negligent in maintaining the property or if they failed to warn of known hazards.
- Employers: If the accident happened at work, your employer may be liable if they failed to provide a safe working environment or train employees on how to handle hazardous materials.
- Product manufacturers: The manufacturer may be liable if a defective product caused your burn injury.
- Drivers: If the accident occurred in a vehicle, the driver may be liable if they were negligent, such as driving recklessly or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Healthcare providers: If medical malpractice caused your burn injury, the healthcare provider may be liable.
Our burn injury attorneys will investigate and determine all parties who may be liable in your case.
Contact Chubb Law Today
Burn injuries can have lasting physical, emotional, and financial impacts on you and your family. Pursuing fair compensation can help alleviate the burdens of medical costs, lost income, and the challenges of recovery. Our team at Chubb Law is committed to advocating for you and helping you receive the support and justice you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been injured, contact us today for a free case evaluation, and let us help you on your path to recovery.
BURN INJURY FAQ
How is Chubb Law different?
We could list all the awards we’ve received or tell you how much better our results are than other law firms– but that’s not what makes us different. We are different because we truly care about our clients. Because we care, you won’t feel like you’re one of 10,000. You will feel heard and prioritized. You will feel confident in your legal team. You will feel like you’re in the right place.
How much does it cost to start a case? I heard it’s free? How do you make money?
It doesn’t cost anything to start your case and you will never pay us anything out of your own pocket. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay us only if we win your case. Our fee comes in the form of a percentage of the settlement or verdict amount we obtain.
Do I really need an attorney or should I just work things out with the insurance?
We tell people all of the time, “if insurance companies would just treat people right there would be no need for what we do.” Unfortunately, most of the time insurance companies don’t treat people right. The only way to ensure you are protecting your rights is to consult with an attorney.
Should I take an insurance offer?
No. Not without consulting an attorney. We make all clients an “Increased Offer Guarantee.” If there is an offer on the table from the insurance company at the time of hiring us, we guarantee we will increase it, or we will waive our fee.
I already have an attorney, can I change attorneys?
Yes. In the state of Florida, you can change attorneys mid-case. In fact, you can fire your current lawyer for practically any reason. The Florida Supreme Court has set out “10 Basic Rights” that every client is entitled to from their lawyer. Read more about those here.
Mitch’s 8 Promises
1
Full-story, free consultation.
Our initial conversation does not have a time limit. We want to connect and hear your full story.
2
110%
We are selective in the cases we take so we can give 110% to those we do.
3
$0 out-of-pocket fees.
You will never pay us anything out of your own pocket. There are never upfront costs on your case. We only get paid if we win your case.
4
Unlimited.
Our clients are guaranteed unlimited communication with their legal team.
5
Proactive communication.
We consistently communicate with you to keep you updated on your case.
6
You call the shots.
You call the shots, we lead the way. We never make decisions against your desires.
7
Increased offer guarantee.
If there is an offer on the table from the insurance company at the time of hiring us, we guarantee we will increase it, or we will waive our fee.
8
The “why should I hire an attorney guarantee.”
When you hire us, not only will we handle everything, but the result we get will leave you with more in your pocket— even after attorney’s fees.
Contact Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Do not wait to seek legal help if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident. Contact our Seminole County personal injury law firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. During your consultation, we will review the details of your case, explain your rights and legal options, and provide you with honest and straightforward advice about how to proceed.
Remember, you do not have to face this difficult time alone. Let Mitch and Christopher fight for you so you can focus on your recovery and move forward with your life.
