How to Hire the Best Fire Injury Lawyers

Before hiring a fire injury lawyer for your case, it can be vital to spend some time getting to know them personally at the first consultation. Good questions to ask can include:

• Have you handled fire injury cases like mine before?
• What results have you achieved for other clients?
• Who will be handling my case?
• Have you won cases like mine at trial?
• What is my case worth?
• Do I have to pay upfront attorney’s fees?
• What do I have to pay if I lose my case?

While getting answers to your most pressing questions is important, make sure to also pay attention to the attorney’s demeanor and the overall office environment. For example, did the attorney honestly answer your questions, or did they try to evade them? Did you feel heard and respected, or did the attorney and their team members seem disinterested and aloof? The way you are treated at the consultation can give you clues about an attorney’s communication style and how they might handle your case. 

According to the American Burns Association (ABA), burn injuries are a leading cause of unintentional deaths and injuries in the U.S., with one civilian fire death roughly occurring every two and a half hours. Individuals can suffer fire injuries in a range of accidents and incidents, including car accidents, premises liability incidents, work accidents, and others.

Motor Vehicle Accidents 

Fires and burn injuries can occur in any motor vehicle accident. Almost all car crashes happen due to driver error or negligence, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If another driver or other party is responsible for your accident, you could seek damages for your injuries and financial losses. 

Examples of negligence and careless driving can include: 

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Speeding 
• Following too closely
• Ignoring traffic signs and signals 
• Distracted driving
• Driving generally recklessly 

Workplace Accidents 

While a fire can potentially occur in all work environments, construction workers and hospitality staff are particularly at risk for workplace fire injuries. Victims of workplace accidents can potentially file a workers’ compensation claim for medical bills and wage losses. 

However, if a third party, such as a negligent property owner or manufacturer of defective equipment, is responsible for your burn injuries, you could file a personal injury lawsuit. Suing can allow you to recover additional damages such as awards for pain and suffering, which are not available with workers’ comp. If you suffered significant fire injuries at work, seeking legal advice can be crucial for protecting your rights to adequate damages.

Dangerous or Defective Products

Defective electric appliances or other consumer products can cause disastrous fires. Generally, manufacturers must ensure that their products are reasonably safe and free from manufacturing defects. If a design flaw or product defect caused your fire injury, you could have legal recourse against a manufacturer and potentially recover compensation.

Premises Liability Incidents

Premises liability law can cover a variety of property-related incidents and accidents. If you got injured by extremely hot water from the faucets or hurt in a fire in your apartment complex, you could have a case. For example, a property owner could be responsible if they failed to provide fire extinguishers or violated the building code in your state. An attorney can investigate your accident and determine your options.

Other Fire Accidents

Our fire injury lawyers also handle cases involving the following, as well as others:

• Fires in rental complexes
• Electrical accidents
• Hotel and restaurant fires
• Scalding water injuries
• Defective industrial equipment
• Gas explosions

Fire injury claims can arise in a variety of circumstances and locations. Morgan & Morgan’s dedicated lawyers can analyze your accident thoroughly and determine whether you have legal recourse and could pursue compensation.

Survivors of fires can suffer life-changing injuries such as extensive scarring and permanent physical disabilities. The severity of burn injuries is classified by degrees, with first-degree burns being minor, third-degree injuries describing the most severe burns. 

First-Degree Burns

First-degree burns are minor injuries and may not require any treatment by a medical professional. Minor burns can occur when touching a hot stove or oven element. Sunburn can also cause first-degree burns. Although often painful and uncomfortable, such minor burns typically heal on their own.  

Second-Degree Burns

Second-degree burns typically require medical treatment as they involve damage to the two top layers of skin. Red skin, swelling, and painful blisters may develop. Second-degree burns can be excruciatingly painful and result in infections as well as permanent scarring. 

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns can reach all the way down to the fat layer of the skin and require immediate medical attention. Third-degree burns do not only destroy skin layers but can also damage nerves, potentially causing numbness and loss of function. 

It is important to note that not all burns result from fires or heat. Other types of burns can include electrical burns, chemical burns, and radiation burns. 

Complications of fire injuries typically increase medical expenses and recovery time significantly and can include:

• Bacterial infections and sepsis
• Permanent scarring
• Fluid loss and low blood volume
• Breathing problems
• Tightening of skin
• Low body temperature
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

If you got hurt in a fire, an attorney from Morgan & Morgan could help you sue the responsible party and recover damages for your medical costs, future medical expenses, and other losses.

Significant burn injuries can require invasive, costly, and prolonged medical treatment, including:

Intravenous fluids – severe burn injuries may require IV fluids to prevent dehydration and organ failure.  

Pain and anxiety medication – since burns can be unbearably painful, patients may require morphine as well as anti-anxiety medicine.

Skin grafts – skin grafts may be required to repair severely damaged skin. 

Rehabilitation – a severely hurt individual may need physical and mental health therapies. 

Plastic surgery – plastic surgery may be necessary to improve function as well as appearance. 

The costs for medical treatment of serious burns can quickly skyrocket. Moreover, individuals who suffered significant fire injuries may have to incur additional costs such as travel to special burn centers for treatment. 

The best way to find out whether you have a case is to speak to one of our experienced attorneys who can determine whether you have a case. Generally, you will have to prove that:

1. The defendant owed you a duty of care
2. They breached the duty of care
3. The breach caused your injury  
4. You have damages

Seeking legal advice as soon as possible can be essential for collecting the required evidence and building a good case against the negligent party. 

Fire injury cases fall under personal injury laws. Most states have strict deadlines with very few exceptions when it comes to filing personal injury lawsuits. Once you miss the deadline, also called the “statute of limitations,” you may have lost all chances to recover compensation. Acting as soon as possible after your accident and injury can help you achieve a faster settlement as well as ensure you are filing suit within the applicable statute of limitations.

Burn injuries can get extremely expensive, not only due to high medical bills but also income losses and other costs during a potentially lengthy recovery period. However, knowing what your case is worth can be challenging without analyzing the facts of your accident and the severity of your fire injury. An attorney could provide you with an approximate figure, based on:

• The extent of your medical bills and estimated future medical expenses
• The scope of your injuries and their effect on your work and home life
• The circumstances of the accident that caused your injuries

Compensation You Could Recover

You could be entitled to a settlement compensating you for economic damages, including:

• Loss of income 
• Loss of future income and future earning capacity
• Current and future medical bills 
• Transport costs
• Out-of-pocket expenses

Fire injury victims could also recover non-economic damages such as awards for:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish 
• Reduced life quality
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of life quality 

You could be entitled to other or additional compensation, depending on your individual case and injuries.

If you suffered fire injuries, you should at least consider speaking to an attorney about your legal rights and the best course of action. Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation where they can determine whether you have a case. If you have suffered significant and life-changing fire injuries, hiring a lawyer can be essential to protect you from predatory insurance companies that may deny you a fair settlement. 

Moreover, the aftermath of getting hurt in a fire can be painful and distressing. Hiring an experienced attorney to take over all legal aspects of your case leaves you free to focus on getting better. 

An attorney will not only protect your legal rights and fight for you in court but can also help you in many other ways, such as:

• Helping you receive adequate medical treatment
• Gather and present crucial evidence for your case
• Liaise with medical providers
• Gather and organize the relevant medical records
• Collect witness statements
• Communicate with the defendant’s insurance company
• Negotiate payment of lien holders so you can keep as much as possible of your settlement

The process of hiring a fire injury lawyer can involve some research and effort. However, having someone in your corner who is prepared to fight aggressively for what you need and deserve can be priceless for your peace of mind. Handling a case on your own can be stressful and time-consuming. Morgan & Morgan is here to help you. 

We understand the pain, mental stress, and financial hardship that fire injury victims suffer. If someone else caused your injury, they should pay for your damages. A dedicated and compassionate fire injury lawyer at Morgan & Morgan can fight for what you need to rebuild your life after suffering a devastating fire injury. 

Contact us now to determine whether you have a case in a free, no-obligation consultation.