Burns can range in severity from minor injuries to life-threatening wounds. Beyond the physical and mental pain, burn victims may also suffer from financial losses due to medical bills and time off of work.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious burn in an accident caused by someone else, reach out to a catastrophic injury attorney at Redondo Law to learn your legal options. A Miami burn injury lawyer can work tirelessly on your behalf to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Damages in a burn injury case
Those who suffer from burns caused by other people have the right to seek economic and non-economic reimbursement for their losses. To win compensation, however, the burn victim and their attorney must provide an estimate of their losses in a demand to the at-fault party or in an initial complaint that is filed as part of a lawsuit.
Economic losses include any medical expenses, future or present, that relate to a victim’s injuries. These losses can also include any lost wages or opportunities to work. Non-economic losses are those without an objective financial value, such as a person’s pain and suffering.
In rare cases, burn victims may also be entitled to seek punitive damages. A court can allow punitive damages to be sought against defendants whose actions were particularly egregious. A knowledgeable Miami attorney can further advise a burn victim in a free consultation on what damages may be available in their case.
Liability for burn accidents in Miami
If a burn victim wishes to pursue compensation for their losses, then they must identify the party that caused their injuries. Liability in burn injury cases often depends on the accident in question. For instance, a fire that originated due to shoddy wiring in a rental unit may make the property owner liable. Alternatively, a fire that results from a faulty appliance may make that appliance’s manufacturer liable for related losses. To identify the potentially liable parties after a fire or other burn related injury, it is crucial to work with a skilled burn injury lawyer in the area.
Workman’s compensation versus personal injury claims for burns
If a fire breaks out at a person’s workplace and causes injury, then any injured employees may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits depending on the cause of the fire. It is also possible, however, for injured victims to file civil lawsuits while simultaneously benefiting from workers’ compensation benefits. Injured workers may wish to file a secondary claim if:
- Their employer is not required by the state to pay out their workers’ compensation
- They have not received enough workers’ compensation to contend with their losses
- Their workers’ compensation claim has been denied for unrelated reasons
- They have been furloughed or unemployed as a result of their injuries and are unable to seek workers’ compensation.
If an injured worker believes that their employer was at fault for their burn accident, it may be best to seek compensation through both of the aforementioned avenues. A civil suit can encompass certain losses that workers’ compensation does not cover. Those with questions about workers’ compensation and civil suits should discuss their case in more detail with a Miami burn injury lawyer.
Time limits for filing a burn injury suit
Burns constitute personal injuries in Florida civil suits. Victims must file burn injury complaints within four years of the accident taking place, as per Florida Statues § 95.11(3). Parties who do not file their claims in time may not have the opportunity to fight for what compensation they are owed. As such, it is essential for burn victims and their families to consult a seasoned lawyer as soon as possible for help with their claims.
Contact a Miami burn injury attorney today
If someone else caused severe burns to you or a loved one, you deserve compensation for your suffering. Reach out to Redondo Law to schedule an initial consultation at no cost. Our Miami burn injury lawyers are here to serve as your dedicated legal advocates, so give us a call today.
