Burn injuries are often painful and traumatic experiences that can require expensive medical care, cause you to miss work, and bring other hardships to your life. If you were injured due to someone else’s neglectful or wrongful acts, you may be entitled to compensation from those responsible. 

A Richmond burn injury lawyer can advise you on your potential right to recovery and pursue a claim on your behalf. Our catastrophic injury attorneys employ aggressive, trial-ready strategies designed to help you obtain maximum compensation for your losses.

Common Damages Resulting From a Burn Injury

The damages resulting from a burn injury can vary depending on the circumstances. Key factors that can impact the extent of harm include the type of burn, its severity, and its location on the body. Serious burns can cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, and lasting damage to your nerves, muscles, tendons, and bones. Our burn injury lawyers in Richmond will review medical records and consult with experts to identify all potential losses, which may include: 

  • Medical care costs 
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitative care costs 
  • Home maintenance and support costs 
  • Lost income or earning capacity 
  • Pain and suffering 
  • Loss of quality and enjoyment of life 
  • Losses affecting relationships                                                                            

Additional factors, including an injured person’s age, career, and whether dependents rely on their income, can also affect the total value of a claim. In cases where the responsible party acted willfully or with a reckless disregard for an individual’s safety, punitive damages may also be available. However, Virginia law caps the amount of compensation available for punitive damages at $350,000 under Code § 8.01-38.1.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Burn Injury?

How and where a burn injury occurred will determine who can be held liable for the resulting losses. Our Richmond lawyers can review the circumstances that led to the burn damage and conduct additional investigation to identify all parties with potential fault and liability. The responsible party may be an individual, a business, a property owner, or another organization whose negligence contributed to the incident. We can pursue compensation from parties who bear liability for causing the following: 

Each type of case involves a different standard of care that the at-fault party owed an injured person. A medical professional’s negligence depends on what another reasonable healthcare provider would have done under similar circumstances, while a landowner’s liability depends on the visitor’s purpose and legal status on the property when the injury occurred. We will evaluate every aspect of a claim to determine its strengths and develop a strategy for recovering maximum compensation in court or through a well-negotiated settlement. 

Under Virginia Code § 8.01-243, the statute of limitations for a personal injury action is generally two years. In most cases, the filing period begins on the date of the incident that caused the injury. Acting promptly can preserve an individual’s right to seek compensation from a liable party. 

Meet with a Richmond Burn Injury Lawyer at MichieHamlett

Several factors can impact your ability to recover compensation after a burn incident, but the guidance and advocacy of an experienced Richmond burn injury lawyer can help you protect your claim and move forward. Contact our firm today to schedule a free case consultation.