Have you recently been the victim of a severe burn that’s kept you out of work or prevented you from other activities that you would be doing before the accident? Here at Cotton Law Firm, we want to share everything we know in regards to how to recover damages after a severe burn injury.
Damages is another word for compensation for your severe burn injury. It’s imperative that you seek out an attorney to represent you when you have been injured from the result of someone else’s negligence.
What can you do to improve your chances of damages?
There are several important factors that can make or break your case when seeking damages:
- You must file a police report, no matter what. Keep all of the documentation
- Keep hospital documentation in a safe location. Making copies is never a bad idea.
- Was there footage of the accident? Occasionally there are cameras that may have captured the entire occurrence. If you or your attorney can gather this footage, it can drastically improve your case.
- Gather eyewitness statements. Was anyone around that would be willing to testify for you.
Where did the accident happen?
Did you receive a severe burn injury while at work? Were you in a car accident that involved heavy flames? Maybe, you were sitting in your apartment and your living space became engulfed in flames.
These are just some of the potential ways that damages may be due to you. Catastrophic fires can happen anywhere. The attorneys at Cotton Law Firm are experienced in recovering damages for clients.
Cotton is our name, but we’re no softies!
When did the accident happen?
In the state of North Carolina, the general timeline for a filing for damages is three years. If you feel that you have been mistreated and have already been to the hospital, missed work, and experienced loss, don’t give up. If your accident happened less than three years ago, you might be entitled to further compensation.
If at some point after the initial accident, the person who allegedly caused your injury departs from and resides out of the state of North Carolina, or if he or she “remains continuously absent” from the state for one year or more, the period of absence likely won’t be counted as part of the three years.
This is certainly something to consider when filing for damages.
What are the different types of damages?
Economic Damages: Loss of income due to the accident and potential losses in the future. Possible compensation for damages includes the loss of your vehicle, out-of-pocket expenses for hospital bills, and housing arrangements due to the loss of your living quarters. Payment for medical treatments reasonably expected in the future is another common form of economic damages that can be incurred.
Non-Economic Damages: Pain and suffering due to the accident, injury, and recovery are common forms of non-economic damages. They can also be the impact on your relationships or mental/ emotional harm caused by the accident and injuries.
Think of everything you’ve lost during your recovery
Have you incurred a condition, mentally or physically, from this accident? Have you lost personal property, including your home, vehicle, or other valuables?
There is a long list of possibilities when referring to losses. If you are opening a case for damages after a severe burn injury, act as if your attorney is your doctor. Don’t leave anything out, even if you think it’s not important.
Settlement
If you have a case for damages, you will typically have to go to court against the defendant, whether it’s an individual or another entity. A court atmosphere can be intimidating, but it’s essential to you receiving the damages you deserve.
Just remember: You are the victim, and your attorney is there to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you want to learn more about how to recover damages after a severe burn injury, contact us at 910-339-1880.