A severe burn injury can change your life in an instant. Whether caused by a workplace accident, defective product, or someone else’s negligence, burn injuries demand immediate medical attention and often require years of recovery. If you suffered a burn injury in Lakewood, Washington, you have the right to pursue compensation from the party responsible. The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs has helped burn injury victims recover the compensation they need to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for over 70 years. Our experienced attorneys understand the devastating impact of burn injuries and work to hold negligent parties accountable. With a 3-year statute of limitations in Washington, time matters. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs for Your Burn Injury Case?
The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs brings experience and proven results to your burn injury claim. Since 1952, we have served Lakewood and the surrounding communities. We have handled thousands of personal injury cases. Our attorneys have extensive experience with serious injuries, including burns. We understand the complex medical, legal, and financial issues involved. We know how burn injuries affect victims’ lives and what compensation is necessary for their recovery.
Shawn Briggs has practiced personal injury law since 1986. He has been named a Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics. The National Trial Lawyers Association named him a Top Trial Lawyer. He teaches trial skills seminars to other attorneys at national associations.
Marie Docter brings over 20 years of experience. She has knowledge of complex litigation and class-action cases. Both attorneys are committed to helping burn injury victims in Lakewood recover maximum compensation.
You pay nothing up front. We don’t get paid unless you recover compensation. This means you can afford experienced legal representation without worrying about legal costs while recovering from your injury. We listen to your story, review your circumstances, and explain your legal options without pressure. Our clients consistently praise our communication and personalized attention throughout their cases.
Types of Burn Injuries We Handle
Burn injuries come in many forms, each requiring different treatment approaches and recovery timelines. Understanding the type of burn you suffered helps determine liability and compensation.
Thermal burns result from direct contact with fire, hot liquids, steam, or hot surfaces. These are the most common type of burn injury. They often occur in workplace settings, vehicle accidents, or home fires. Workplace burn injuries require immediate legal attention to protect your rights.
Chemical burns happen when skin contacts corrosive substances. Industrial chemicals, cleaning products, and caustic materials cause these injuries. Chemical burns can be particularly severe because the chemical continues damaging tissue until completely removed. Product liability claims often apply to chemical burn cases.
Electrical burns occur when electricity passes through the body. They cause both external and internal damage. Faulty wiring, workplace electrical hazards, and power line contact cause these injuries. These cases frequently involve premises liability or workplace safety violations.
Radiation burns result from prolonged sun exposure or radiation therapy complications. These are less common than other types.
Flash burns happen suddenly during explosions or intense heat exposure. They often cause injuries across large areas of the body. Vehicle fire accidents can result in severe flash burn injuries.
Each burn type requires specialized medical treatment and carries different long-term consequences. Our attorneys have experience handling all burn injury types and understand how to prove liability in each scenario.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Burn Injury in WA?
Washington law holds multiple parties responsible for burn injuries caused by negligence. Identifying all liable parties is crucial for maximizing your compensation.
Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises and prevent foreseeable burn hazards. If a property owner failed to repair faulty wiring, maintain fire safety equipment, or warn of burn risks, they can be held liable. This principle applies to premises liability cases throughout Lakewood and Washington.
Employers must provide safe working conditions and proper safety equipment. Workplace burn injuries often result from inadequate safety protocols, missing guards on equipment, or failure to train employees on hazard prevention. Workplace injury claims require proving employer negligence.
Product manufacturers bear responsibility when defective appliances, equipment, or products cause burns. A malfunctioning space heater, faulty electrical device, or chemical product with inadequate warnings can make the manufacturer liable. Product liability law protects burn injury victims from dangerous products.
Drivers can be held responsible for burn injuries in vehicle accidents. This is particularly true when fires result from negligent driving. Car accident injuries, including burns, require immediate legal representation.
Contractors and construction companies must follow safety regulations and protect workers from burn hazards on construction job sites.
Washington’s Comparative Negligence System
Washington follows a pure comparative negligence system under RCW § 4.22.005. You can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for your injury. Your percentage of fault reduces your award, but you can still recover.
For example, if you were 20% at fault and awarded $100,000, you would receive $80,000. This differs from many states that bar recovery if you’re 50% or more at fault. Understanding Washington negligence law is essential to your case.
The 3-Year Statute of Limitations
You have 3 years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim in Washington. This deadline is critical. Waiting too long can prevent you from pursuing compensation entirely. Evidence also becomes increasingly difficult to preserve, and witnesses’ memories tend to fade over time. Contacting an attorney quickly strengthens your case.
How Compensation Is Calculated in Severe Burn Cases
Burn injury compensation covers both measurable financial losses and subjective harm caused by your injury. Understanding how damages are calculated helps you evaluate settlement offers.
Economic Damages
Economic damages include all quantifiable costs
- Medical bills and hospital expenses
- Surgical procedures like skin grafts and reconstructive surgery
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Lost wages during recovery
- Future lost income if your injury prevents you from working
- Home care and assistance costs
- Medical equipment and supplies
These damages are straightforward to calculate because they have receipts and documentation.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the intangible harm you suffered
- Pain and suffering from the burn injury itself
- Emotional distress and trauma from the accident
- Scarring and disfigurement affecting appearance and self-esteem
- Loss of enjoyment of life when injuries prevent activities you once enjoyed
- Psychological counseling needs for anxiety, depression, or PTSD
Calculating Non-Economic Damages
Attorneys and insurance companies use two common methods to calculate non-economic damages.
The multiplier method takes your total economic damages and multiplies them by a number between 1.5 and 5. The multiplier depends on injury severity. Severe burns with permanent scarring typically use higher multipliers.
The per diem method assigns a daily dollar amount to your pain and suffering. This amount is then multiplied by the number of days you experience recovery and ongoing effects.
Recovery Timelines
Recovery timelines vary significantly based on burn severity
- Acute phase (0-2 weeks) Hospitalization, emergency treatment, pain management, and infection prevention
- Healing phase (2 weeks-3 months) Wound care, dressing changes, skin grafting if necessary, and continued infection monitoring
- Rehabilitation phase (3 months-2+ years) Physical therapy, occupational therapy, scar management treatments, and psychological counseling
- Long-term effects Can persist for years or permanently, including chronic pain, psychological impact, scarring and disfigurement, and functional limitations
Severe burns with permanent scarring, functional limitations, or psychological trauma typically result in higher compensation awards. They cause greater long-term harm. Our attorneys have successfully recovered substantial compensation for clients with severe burn injuries.
The Burn Injury Claims Process in Washington
Understanding what to expect helps you prepare for your claim. These are the typical steps when filing a burn injury claim in Lakewood.
Initial Investigation and Evidence Gathering
We investigate the accident scene immediately. We interview witnesses, obtain medical records, and preserve evidence like photographs and safety inspection reports. Quick action is critical because evidence can disappear and witnesses’ memories fade. Prompt legal action protects your rights and strengthens your case.
Determining Liability and Negligence
Proving negligence requires establishing four elements
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty
- Their breach caused your injury
- You suffered damages
We gather evidence showing how the defendant’s negligence caused your burn injury. Understanding negligence law is critical to proving liability.
Calculating Damages
We document all medical expenses, lost wages, and other economic losses. We then determine the appropriate non-economic damages for pain and suffering, based on the severity of the injury and the recovery timeline. Our team uses proven methods to maximize your compensation.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurance adjusters often offer lowball settlements, hoping you’ll accept quickly. We utilize our experience to help secure fair compensation and effectively demonstrate the value of your claim. Our attorneys, Shawn Briggs and Marie Docter, both have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies.
Settlement Versus Trial
Most cases settle through negotiation. However, we’re prepared to take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses fair compensation. Our trial experience and track record give us credibility in settlement negotiations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries
How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in Washington?
You have 3 years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury claim. Missing the deadline bars you from pursuing compensation. Don’t wait to contact an attorney.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault for my burn injury?
Yes. Washington uses a pure comparative negligence system. You can recover even if you were 50%, 75%, or even 90% at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but you can still recover. For example, if you were 30% at fault and awarded $100,000, you would receive $70,000.
What types of damages can I recover in a burn injury case?
You can recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, rehabilitation costs, future medical care) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, scarring and disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life). Understanding compensation helps you evaluate settlement offers.
How much is my burn injury case worth?
Case value depends on burn severity, recovery timeline, long-term effects, and liability strength. Severe burns with permanent scarring typically result in higher awards. We evaluate your specific circumstances to estimate your case’s value. Our results demonstrate the compensation we’ve recovered for burn injury victims.
What should I do immediately after a burn injury?
Seek medical attention first. Then document the incident with photographs, gather witness information, preserve evidence, and contact an attorney before speaking to insurance companies. Insurance adjusters ask questions designed to minimize your claim.
Do I need an attorney for my burn injury claim?
While not required, attorneys can help significantly increase settlement amounts. Studies show people with attorneys recover substantially more than those handling claims alone. An attorney protects your rights against insurance company tactics. Our experienced team is ready to protect your interests.
How long does a burn injury case take to resolve?
The timeline varies based on the severity and liability. Simple cases may settle in months. Complex cases with permanent injuries may take 1-2 years or longer. We work efficiently while ensuring you receive fair compensation.
Will my case go to trial?
Most cases settle through negotiation. However, we’re prepared to take your case to trial if necessary. Our trial experience and results give us credibility in settlement discussions. This often leads to better offers. Our trial attorneys have successfully represented clients at trial.
Contact The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs for Your Free Burn Injury Consultation
If you suffered a burn injury in Lakewood, Washington, don’t face the recovery process alone. The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs provides free, confidential consultations to evaluate your case and explain your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front, and we only get paid if you recover compensation.
Contact The Law Offices of Briggs & Briggs today by calling (253) 588-6696 or completing our online contact form. Our experienced attorneys are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
