Hobe Sound Burn Injury Lawyers
Fires, explosions, chemical reactions, and scalding liquids can cause serious burn injuries that are more than just skin deep. They may only appear on the surface of the body, but severe burns can have devastating physical and psychological consequences.
Your skin is responsible for regulating everything from temperature to hydration. It also keeps bacteria away from the more vulnerable internal organs, which means a burn injury can be life threatening. A serious burn can also destroy your sweat glands, hair follicles, and skin elasticity, leading to a lifetime of complications.
Despite the physical challenges that severe burns pose, many accident victims find it hardest to cope with the emotional impact of their injuries. Scarring and disfigurement are likely to occur, making it difficult to lead a normal life in the wake of the trauma.
If you suffered burn injuries in a preventable accident, contact Donaldson & Weston. Our personal injury attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation into your case and gather the evidence needed to prove negligence and the value of your damages. Call 772-266-5555 to schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer in Hobe Sound.
Your skin is responsible for regulating everything from temperature to hydration. It also keeps bacteria away from the more vulnerable internal organs, which means a burn injury can be life threatening. A serious burn can also destroy your sweat glands, hair follicles, and skin elasticity, leading to a lifetime of complications.
Despite the physical challenges that severe burns pose, many accident victims find it hardest to cope with the emotional impact of their injuries. Scarring and disfigurement are likely to occur, making it difficult to lead a normal life in the wake of the trauma.
If you suffered burn injuries in a preventable accident, contact Donaldson & Weston. Our personal injury attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation into your case and gather the evidence needed to prove negligence and the value of your damages. Call 772-266-5555 to schedule a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer in Hobe Sound.
Calculating Pain and Suffering After a Burn Injury
It goes without saying that a serious burn can be unbearably painful. Therefore, victims are often able to pursue not only economic damages but also non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. The two most common approaches for calculating pain and suffering damages are the "multiplier method" and the "per diem method."
To apply the multiplier method, your attorney would take the total value of all economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost income, and multiply the sum by a factor that typically ranges from 1.5 to 5. The value of the multiplier will depend on a variety of factors. Typically, more severe burns will warrant a higher multiplier because they will cause considerably more pain and suffering.
To apply the multiplier method, your attorney would take the total value of all economic damages, such as medical expenses and lost income, and multiply the sum by a factor that typically ranges from 1.5 to 5. The value of the multiplier will depend on a variety of factors. Typically, more severe burns will warrant a higher multiplier because they will cause considerably more pain and suffering.
The Per Diem Method
To apply the per diem method, your burn injury attorney would first assign a "daily rate" to your pain and suffering. This number would be a reasonable figure such as $150 or a full day's wages. Then, your lawyer would multiply this figure by the number of days that you spend recovering. For example, if $200 seems like a reasonable daily rate and it takes you six months to reach maximum medical improvement, your attorney would multiply $200 by 180 days to arrive at $36,000 for pain and suffering.
Although the above formulas are widely accepted, that does not necessarily mean the insurance company will agree to the figure. It is important that you hire a seasoned burn injury lawyer who knows how to gather the evidence needed to support the damages calculation. This evidence might include photographs of your wounds, daily journal entries, statements from medical experts, and testimony from caregivers and loved ones.
Although the above formulas are widely accepted, that does not necessarily mean the insurance company will agree to the figure. It is important that you hire a seasoned burn injury lawyer who knows how to gather the evidence needed to support the damages calculation. This evidence might include photographs of your wounds, daily journal entries, statements from medical experts, and testimony from caregivers and loved ones.
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