Severe burn injuries can affect every aspect of your life and leave you devastated in the aftermath. When it’s time to go after compensation, you want the right burn injury attorney in your corner. Knowing the right questions to ask can help you make informed decisions and make all the difference in your case.
How Will You Determine the Value of My Claim?
One of the most important factors in your case is the total value of your claim. A strong lawyer will look at every detail and take into account several factors, including:
- Medical Costs: This includes both current and future costs related to your burn treatment, such as rehab, surgery, and specialized care
- Lost Wages: If you can’t go back to work (whether temporarily or permanently), your attorney will calculate your lost earnings and potential future income
- Pain and Suffering: This one’s harder to figure out, but the physical pain and emotional toll still impact your life and can be included in your claim
- Property Damage: If you got burned in a larger incident, property damage could also be factored into your settlement
Regardless of what goes into your case, your lawyer should give you a transparent evaluation so that you have a realistic idea of what your claim should be worth.
What’s Your Approach to Building a Strong Case for Severe Burns?
Burn injury cases can get complicated, and you need an attorney with a strong strategy to handle them effectively. It’s vital that they have a solid plan in place, so you’ll want to ask about their specific approach.
More than likely, your lawyer will follow a step-by-step approach that involves gathering evidence, working with medical experts, and documenting your recovery. Make sure they’re clear on what evidence they’ll be collecting and who they plan to talk to. Ask how they plan to keep a record of the progress and setbacks of your recovery.
What Kinds of Challenges Could I Face?
Every legal case has its obstacles, and burn injury claims are no different. A good burn injury lawyer will warn you about these possible challenges ahead of time. You need to know what to expect and how they plan to handle the situation should anything happen.
For example, suppose the insurance company pushes back and tries to minimize your injuries or even blames you for the accident. Your counsel should be prepared to counter these tricks.
While it can be tough to prove fault, they should also know how to present the evidence to demonstrate the defendant’s negligence so insurance can’t argue fault.
How Do You Handle Communication With Clients?
Open and frequent communication is a key factor in a successful client-attorney relationship. You’ll want to know how your lawyer plans to keep you informed as your case progresses.
How often will they contact you? Will they give regular updates or only reach out with significant news? Will you talk directly to them or someone else in the firm? What’s the best way to reach them if you have any questions?
Good communication helps build trust in your legal team, so make sure yours is willing to talk to you throughout the process.
How Do You Charge for Your Services?
Every firm charges its clients differently. Some require an upfront deposit and for you to cover incidental charges as they come up. However, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means they don’t get paid unless you win your case.
When you’re discussing fees, make sure to ask these questions:
- What percentage of the settlement will go to the attorney?
- Am I required to cover expenses like filing fees, hiring expert witnesses, or medical record retrieval?
- If so, do I need to cover those expenses separately, or will they be taken out of the settlement?
- Do I need to pay upon settlement or after certain milestones are reached?
A good lawyer will give you clear and transparent answers to these questions to help you understand how their payment system works. If they don’t, make them explain it to you better so you’re not blindsided by costs later on.
What Strategies Do You Use to Maximize Compensation?
A successful burn injury attorney will have experience in getting the best compensation possible for their clients. They should be able to tell you how they do this and what goes into their strategies.
Some common tactics include:
- Aggressive negotiation
- Presenting detailed and compelling evidence
- Leveraging expert testimony
- Considering the long-term impact on your day-to-day life
Ask whatever questions you need to ask to have a clear idea of how your lawyer plans to maximize your compensation. If you don’t understand something, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification.
FAQ
How Long Does a Burn Injury Claim Take to Resolve?
It depends. The timeline can vary depending on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and whether the case has to go to trial. Your claim could take a few months or a few years.
Will My Case Go to Court?
Most burn injury cases settle out of court. However, more stubborn insurance companies sometimes don’t like to budge and won’t agree to a fair settlement. In those cases, your case might go to trial.
Do I Have to Pay if I Lose My Case?
If your counsel works on a contingency basis, you won’t owe them anything if you lose your case. However, some out-of-pocket expenses may still apply.
Get the Legal Support You Need
If you’ve been hurt in an accident that left you with severe burn injuries, contact The Moore Law Firm today to schedule a free consultation. Let us show you how we can help to take the legal burden off your shoulders.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one as a result of another person's negligence, you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. The simple fact is that you should not be forced to pay the price for another person's careless or reckless actions.