West Palm Beach burn injury lawyer

Few injuries are as damaging and painful as severe burn injuries. Treatment can be challenging, and victims may need expensive skin grafts to heal from the burn.

If you or a loved one suffered a severe burn in an accident caused by someone else’s recklessness or negligence, speak with a West Palm Beach burn injury lawyer with Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath. We won’t quit until we help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Please call (561) 665-1990 or contact us online for a free evaluation of your case with a skilled West Palm Beach personal injury lawyer.

What steps should you take after being burned?

Following the steps below can not only aid in your recovery but can help your chances of receiving total compensation.

1. Call an ambulance or have someone drive you to the emergency room

You’re going to need medical help as quickly as possible, so get to the hospital as soon as you can. The best thing to do is accept an ambulance ride from the emergency medical personnel who arrive at the scene, but if you don’t want to ride in an ambulance, ask someone to drive you.

The faster you receive treatment, the better your chances of making a full recovery. But seeing a doctor will also help your case. It will establish that you needed medical help due to the accident, and getting treatment will also establish your medical expenses.

2. Treat the burn as you wait for paramedics to arrive

The type of treatment you’ll need depends on the severity of the burn. If it’s relatively minor and no wider than three inches in diameter, run cool tap water over the affected area. Cover it with a non-stick dressing. Don’t use anything that could stick to the wound or leave lint, such as cotton.

If the burn covers a significant area of the body, lie on your back and elevate your legs, if possible. Cover yourself with a blanket or sheet. This will help keep you from going into shock. Leave any clothing stuck to the skin. If you try to remove it, that could make the wound worse. Don’t try to soak the burn in cold water, as that could lead to hypothermia and shock.

3. Keep a record of your injuries

As you’ll learn later, you may be eligible to obtain compensation for pain and suffering and emotional trauma. These are known as non-economic damages. You can help prove those damages by keeping a written or digital record of everything you’re experiencing.

4. Write down the names of all caregivers during your hospitalization who can testify on your behalf

The insurance company may question the severity of your injury. Members of your medical team willing to testify can quickly prove just how badly you’re hurt. Remember to get the names of as many doctors and nurses who helped you as possible before you leave the hospital.

5. Speak with an attorney

Now it’s time to contact a burn injury lawyer in West Palm Beach. Your attorney will need to start an immediate investigation before critical evidence disappears. They’ll work to determine how the accident happened and who’s responsible.

Types of burns

The “burn stages” classification system “ranks” burns by severity. First-degree burns are minor (sunburn is considered a first-degree burn), while third-degree burns are the most severe, usually requiring skin grafts and other procedures.

Below are the most common causes or sources of first-, second-, and third-degree burns.

Thermal burns

A thermal burn is caused by an external heat source that raises the temperature of the skin and tissues when it contacts the skin. Hot metals, scalding liquids, steam, and flames can all cause thermal burns.

Radiation burns

A radiation burn can occur on skin that has seen prolonged exposure to UV rays from the sun or other sources of radiation, such as X-rays or radiation therapy to treat cancer.

Chemical burns

Thousands of products contain strong or noxious acids, detergents, or solvents that can cause chemical burns to the skin and eyes.

Electrical burns

When electricity comes in contact with the body, energy can travel throughout the body and cause severe damage to tissues and organs.

Don’t miss the deadline to file your claim.

Every state has a statute of limitations, which is a deadline for accident injury victims to take legal action. Florida’s statute of limitations is two years from the date the injury occurred.

What are possible damages you can claim?

When someone suffers a severe injury, they incur significant expenses. These expenses are known as “damages” in legal terms. The following are examples of damages.

Economic damages

Your West Palm Beach burn injury lawyer knows how to prove your economic damages. Among their evidence are receipts for your medical bills and pay stubs for your lost wages.

Non-economic damages

Proving non-economic damages is much more challenging. Your attorney will need to have the skill and experience it takes to calculate the value of intangible damages such as emotional trauma, lost quality of life, pain and suffering, and more.

How to find the right lawyer for your needs

Choosing your burn injury lawyer in West Palm Beach is going to be one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make, so please do your due diligence. Look online to see reviews of the attorneys you’re considering. Talk to any friends or family members who may have recently needed legal representation.

We’ll fight the insurance company to get you the maximum compensation

Insurance companies are notorious for protecting their profit margins. They’ll often have a team of high-powered lawyers representing them.

But a burn injury lawyer in West Palm Beach with Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath will not be intimidated by the opposition. We have an extensive record of defeating insurance companies and obtaining total compensation for our clients.

Which parties can be held liable for your burn injury?

Depending on the kind of accident, multiple parties could be to blame. A negligent employer could be responsible for a workplace injury, or a negligent trucking company could be held liable for a truck accident.

How do our attorneys prove liability?

Your burn injury lawyer in West Palm Beach will investigate and determine all potentially liable parties. This investigation will typically include interviewing witnesses, obtaining phone records and surveillance camera footage, and much more.

What is the burn injury lawsuit process?

Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath will keep you thoroughly informed during every phase of your case. Here’s a brief look at what to expect.

1. Legal consultation

You’ll first speak with your attorney, telling them what happened to the best of your recollection. The lawyer will then tell you where your case is strong and where it’s weak, giving you an honest appraisal of your chances of obtaining compensation.

2. Accident investigation

If both you and the burn injury lawyer in West Palm Beach agree you have a case worth pursuing, the lawyer will start the investigation.

As noted earlier, this investigation needs to start as soon as possible so that your legal representative can put together the strongest possible argument on your behalf.

3. File demand for compensation

Once your attorney identifies all liable parties, they’ll send demand letters. As the name implies, these letters will demand fair compensation for everything you’re going through—and will have to go through in the future.

4. Negotiation

The insurance companies covering the liable parties will then negotiate compensation with your attorney. Most cases reach an equitable settlement since most plaintiffs and defendants would instead not argue the case in a courtroom.

5. Take the case to trial

But there are exceptions. Insurance companies would sometimes instead take their chances in court rather than pay an injured victim what they deserve. If that happens in your case, you can rest assured that your attorney will be ready. We have a long history of winning at trial.

Why it’s essential to visit the doctor

We can’t overstate the importance of getting medical help as quickly as possible. Early treatment will protect your health and your case.

What’s the cost of hiring a West Palm Beach burn injury lawyer?

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t charge unless we win. You won’t have to pay a dime unless we’re successful. If we are, we’ll deduct our fee from your settlement or jury award, which is agreed upon ahead of time.

Why hire Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath?

When it comes to hiring a West Palm Beach burn injury lawyer, you have choices. But you won’t find another firm that will work harder than Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath. Our firm is ready to put our knowledge, experience, and track record of success to work for you.

Our West Palm Beach burn injury lawyers are here to help

Schedule a free consultation with our skilled West Palm Beach personal injury lawyers by calling (561) 665-1990.