The Value of a Burn Victim Case

Burns are the 3d leading cause of unintentional death in the U.S. The U.S. Fire Administration reports that 1.25 million burn injuries occur every year. Of those, approximately 10,000 people will die from burn related infections, and 4,000 will perish from the burn injury itself. These types of injuries are arguably one of the most painful to experience, and can cause impairment, amputation and disfigurement. If you have suffered a burn injury, you may be curious as to the value of a burn victim case and if it makes sense to take legal action. Contact a New York City burn victim lawyer from Stephen Bilkis and Associates for guidance.

The skin is the largest organ in the body. It performs many functions, such as protecting our organs, regulating temperature and fluid balance. Burn injuries can cause a multitude of serious complications because of this. There are three types of burns:

1st Degree: This type of burn affects only the first layer of skin. Most burns of these nature will heal well but are still very painful.

2nd Degree: This type of burn involves damage to the first and second layer of skin. This type of burn will blister, and the skin will seem moist. This type of burn is extremely painful.

3d Degree: This is the most serious and painful type of burn. This affects all layers of skin and can involve the underlying tissue. Skin is extremely dry and very painful. It is important to note that a burn of this degree would be awarded for a higher dollar amount than a 1st degree burn.

If you or a loved one is a burn victim due to the negligence of another, you may be wondering what you next step should be. Speak to a New York City burn victim lawyer at Stephen Bilkis and Associates for answers. Our last 200 cases have received awards of over one million dollars ($1,000,000). Our lawyers are dedicated to helping you and your family receive the compensation you deserve.

To determine the value of a burn victim case, it is first necessary to determine the damages involved. These are the losses that you have suffered because of your accident. Your damages can include:

Medical Damages: Medical damages consist of your medical bills past, present and future. If you have suffered a significant burn injury, this amount can be well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Your future damages could include revision surgery, cosmetic surgery, physical and emotional counseling for instance. Because of this, it is important to speak with a burn victim lawyer that is experienced with New York City cases.

Pain and Suffering: Burn injuries are incredibly painful. You have likely suffered a great deal physically and emotionally. Because a burn can create extensive scarring and disfigurement, a pain and suffering award will tend to be higher. If the burn was on your face for example, your award would be quite high under this category. You may have a loss of quality of life as well. This means that you are unable to do the things you used to enjoy and your life is diminished as a result.

Financial losses: You are able to seek reimbursement for any financial losses you have incurred because of the injury. You may have missed months of work, and don't know when you will be able to return if at all. Meanwhile your bills keep coming in and you have no way to pay them. You can be compensated for your past lost income as well as your future loss of income if you are unable to return to work.

Insurance Considerations: The details of the type of insurance involved is extremely important, particularly the policy limits. The unfortunate truth is, if the defendant is only insured for one million dollars ($1,000,000) for example, it will be difficult to get a settlement or jury award for over that amount.

Some injury cases in the area have had the following results:

New York County, New York - $1,750,000 Verdict Plaintiff electrician has work accident in pump room.

New York County, New York - $10,346,656 Verdict Plaintiff caught in train gap at station, struck by machinery.

Orange County, New York - $2,350,000 Verdict Plaintiff struck and run over by snowplow.

Burn injuries are life changing, causing permanent disfigurement, nerve and tissue damage, infection and more. If you have suffered a burn injury, speak to a burn victim lawyer from one of our New York City offices. We can help answer your questions and assess your case. Whether you have been the victim of a workplace accident, construction accident or car accident, we want to see you get the compensation you and your family deserve. Call us today and schedule a free consultation at 800.696.9529. We have locations in Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, the Bronx, and Brooklyn, as well as Nassau County, Suffolk County and Westchester County.