How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Burn Injury?

Disclaimer: The dollar amounts referenced in this article are based on past results and should not be interpreted to suggest or imply that other cases will have comparable outcomes.  Ultimately, the value of your case will be determined by a settlement or fact finder such as a jury.  Because the circumstances surrounding each injury are unique, each case should be evaluated on an individual basis by a personal injury lawyer.

Many burn injuries result from preventable mistakes, such as car accidents caused by negligent drivers, or product defects caused by manufacturing errors. If you suffered a severe burn injury in Pennsylvania or New Jersey due to another person’s careless actions, you may be entitled to compensation from the party at fault.  Compensation can help with your medical bills, property damage, income losses, and other expenses while providing greater financial security for your family as you recover from this difficult period.

If you believe you may have a case, call Philadelphia burn injury lawyer Brent Wieand at (888) 789-3161.  Founder of The Wieand Law Firm, Brent has extensive experience handling complex injury cases involving:

• Chemical Burns
• Electrical Burns
• Internal Burns
• Second and Third Degree Burns

Brent works on a contingency fee basis, which means you’ll never be charged any legal fees unless he successfully recovers compensation for you.  The Wieand Law Firm handles cases in Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, and throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

What Are Damages in a Lawsuit? What Losses Can I Receive Compensation For?

With regard to personal injury, the term “damages” describes a monetary award for harms and losses suffered by the injury victim, known as the claimant (if making an insurance or workers’ compensation claim) or plaintiff (if filing a lawsuit).  To “recover damages” is to obtain compensation for injuries.

A burn victim may recover damages for various types of harm.  Damages for financial losses are called “economic damages,” while damages for non-financial hardships are called “non-economic damages.”  Both economic and non-economic damages can also be described as “compensatory damages,” because they compensate the victim.  In contrast, “punitive damages” punish the defendant.  Punitive damages are not available in all cases.

This may sound like a lot of terms to keep track of, but don’t worry: your attorney will handle all of the legal work on your behalf.  What you need to know is that, depending on the circumstances, the injury victim may be able to recover damages for:

• Ambulance rides
• Hospital bills
• Medical bills
• Medical devices, e.g. wheelchairs
• Loss of consortium (loss of a marriage)
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of income
• Pain and suffering
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Projected loss of earning potential
• Surgical costs, e.g. skin grafting

NJ and PA Verdicts and Settlements for Burn Injuries

Injury compensation may be obtained through a verdict or a settlement.  A verdict is a determination resulting from a personal injury lawsuit in court (litigation).  A jury arrives at a verdict after evaluating the evidence and listening to the arguments presented by attorneys for both sides.

Unlike a verdict, which is imposed by an outside party, a settlement results from internal negotiations between the parties.  Most claims resolve with a settlement, but, if this is not possible, it may become necessary to go through alternative dispute resolution or to file a lawsuit and take the case to court.

Listed below, you’ll find some examples of settlements and verdicts awarded in actual burn injury cases from Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Keep in mind that these figures are presented here purely for educational purposes, as every case is unique.  That being said, these figures will help to give you a clearer idea of real outcomes resulting from burn injury claims and lawsuits.

• $3.3 million settlement received by a trucker who suffered electrical burns after part of his vehicle came into contact with power lines.

• $2 million settlement for a child who sustained burn injuries while in foster care.

• $825,000 settlement received in a product liability (defective products) case where a child sustained burns due to extremely flammable pajamas.

• $627,000 verdict awarded to a victim who sustained electrical burns to the left hand.

• $625,000 settlement received in a product liability case where the victim sustained second degree burns.

• $230,000 settlement awarded to an employee who sustained third degree burns to the leg and required skin graft surgery.

• $200,000 settlement awarded to an employee who suffered burns, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other complications due to a workplace accident.

• $50,000 settlement awarded to an employee who required a fingertip amputation after a work accident.

Contact an Experienced Pennsylvania Personal Injury Attorney at The Wieand Law Firm

If you were burned while performing your job duties, using a defective product, or under other circumstances for which you were not at fault, call a personal injury lawyer at The Wieand Law Firm at (888) 789-3161 today for a free and confidential legal consultation.

***Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes.  It is not legal advice and should not be used as legal advice. The dollar amounts referenced in this article are based on past results and should not be interpreted to suggest or imply that other cases will have comparable outcomes.  Ultimately, the value of your case will be determined by a settlement, jury, judge or through alternative dispute resolution.  Because the circumstances surrounding each injury are unique, each case must be evaluated on an individual basis by a personal injury lawyer.***