Suffering burn injuries can be devastating, particularly when burn injuries not only cause physical pain and suffering but also result in disfigurement and subsequent psychological suffering. Anyone who has sustained a burn injury because of another party’s negligence or intentional wrongdoing, or in any other scenario in which another party may be responsible or liable, it is extremely important to begin working with a Santa Fe personal injury attorney who can help you to file a claim for your burn injury. Without assistance from a lawyer, it can be difficult to know the best type of claim to file in order to seek the financial compensation you deserve. Since burn injuries can have many different causes, there are several types of injury claims that you might be able to file.
Auto Insurance Claim After a Burn Injury in a Car Crash
While burn injuries can occur almost anywhere and a majority occur in people’s homes or workplaces, burns can also happen in serious car accidents involving fires. According to the American Burn Association, approximately 5% of all burn injuries that require medical treatment occur on roads or streets as a result of motor vehicle collision fires, which accounts for more than 24,000 burn injuries, and about 1,500 admissions to hospital burn centers each year.
When burn injuries occur in a car accident, you may be able to start the process of seeking compensation by filing an auto insurance claim through your own auto insurance company or through the auto insurer for the at-fault driver who caused the crash. If you cannot get the full amount of compensation you deserve through an auto insurance claim, your car accident attorney can work with you to file a car accident lawsuit.
Burn Injuries Caused by Defective Workplace Equipment and Other Products
Many burn injuries also occur at worksites, and they can be caused by defective machines or equipment, or other defective products. In some cases, these burn injuries result from fires that arise out of defective equipment, but other defective products can also result in chemical and electrical burns at workplaces. When a burn injury occurs at work, the first step in seeking compensation is typically to file a workers’ compensation claim. You should certainly speak with a New Mexico personal injury lawyer about filing a workers’ compensation claim, but you may also be able to file—in addition—a product liability lawsuit against the designer, manufacturer, or seller of the defective product that caused your burn injuries.
Personal Injury Lawsuits More Generally
Beyond burns in car accidents, from workplace injuries, and as a result of defective products, most other types of burn injuries can allow an injured person to file a personal injury lawsuit based on a theory of negligence. One of our Santa Fe personal injury lawyers can help.
Contact a Santa Fe Burn Injury Lawyer Today
Do you need help filing a personal injury lawsuit after a burn injury? Our Santa Fe burn injury attorneys can assist you. Contact Slate Stern Law to learn more about our services.