Why Choose Cohen Injury Law Group, P.C. for Your Fire Accident Claim
If you suffered injuries in a fire accident, you may want to consult a fire accident lawyer Los Angeles, CA residents trust. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses, including your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The lawyer at Cohen Injury Law Group, P.C. understand that you’ve had a traumatic experience and want to help you get the justice you deserve. These legal professionals have assisted other accident victims like yourself and know how to gather evidence, identify witnesses and negotiate with insurance companies. They fight hard for their clients’ rights and never leave them in the dark about their case.
When you first go to meet a Los Angeles fire accident lawyer from this law firm, you will be treated with compassion and respect. They will take the time to listen to your questions and concerns and then offer sound legal advice. These lawyers know how serious fire injuries are and will hold the negligent parties accountable for their actions. The legal professionals at Cohen Injury Law Group, P.C. make their clients a top priority and always return their messages in a timely manner.
The Basics of Fire Injury Litigation
Fires can cause severe injuries and occur in many different settings, from apartment buildings to the workplace. Common causes of fires include defective smoke alarms, defective products, faulty wiring, and lack of fire extinguishers. If someone has sustained burn injuries from an accidental fire, the person who started the fire or let it get out of control may be held responsible.
If you have suffered a burn injury from a fire caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover your losses. In order to have a successful claim, a Los Angeles fire accident lawyer will need to prove that the following elements existed:
- The party owed you a duty of care
- The duty of care was breached
- The breach resulted in your injury
- The injury caused financial losses
A duty of care refers to the responsibility to avoid causing harm to someone else. A breach occurs when a defendant fails to uphold their duty to protect others from harm. For example, if a landlord neglected to fix faulty wiring in an apartment building and a fire occurred and tenants got injured, the landlord may be held legally responsible.
If you want to pursue a personal injury claim after a fire accident, you may want to take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention. Burn injuries from a fire can be very serious, so it is essential to seek emergency medical care immediately. A doctor will assess your injuries and recommend the proper treatment plan. Common treatments for burns may include fluids, water-based treatments, burn ointments, dressings, and pain medication. If the burn is very severe, skin grafting may be necessary to reduce scars. To improve your chances of a successful recovery, be sure to follow your doctor’s treatment advice.
- Take photos. Burn injuries can improve over time. If you want to obtain compensation for these injuries, you should take photos of them as soon as possible to help demonstrate their severity.
- Be careful about what you say to the insurance company. After you suffer burn injuries in a fire accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company may try to contact you and ask you questions. While they might seem like they want to help, remember that they care about the bottom line first. They may try to use what you say to devalue your claim. As such, you should say as little as possible to them. Advise them to contact your lawyer. If you do not already have a good Los Angeles fire accident lawyer on your side, it may be in your best interest to discuss your situation with one today.
- Write in a journal. Burn injuries can affect your life in many ways. It may be a good idea to document your experience in a journal. Describe the type of pain you feel and how the burns have affected your day-to-day life. For example, if you have trouble falling asleep at night due to the pain or have isolated yourself from others, you should jot that information down.
- Hire a lawyer. Fire accident claims can be quite complex. That is why it is worth it to hire a fire accident lawyer Los Angeles, CA residents trust. A lawyer can examine your case and help you pursue a timely claim against the negligent parties. He or she can help you gather the necessary evidence and negotiate with the defendant’s insurance company. If the insurance company is not willing to offer you a fair settlement out of court, your lawyer will be ready to take your case to trial. He or she will present a convincing argument in front of the judge and jury and improve your chances of a successful outcome.
Common Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are usually classified into these four categories:
- First degree. First-degree burns cause damage to the outer skin and result in redness in pain. These burns usually heal within a few days.
- Second degree. Second-degree burns affect the second layer of skin and may lead to pain, swelling, and redness. These burns may also cause blisters on the skin, which require daily cleaning and antibiotic ointments.
- Third degree. Their degree burns damage all layers of the skin and causes white patches on the skin. These burns can also destroy nerves and cause infection and may require skin grafts.
Burn injuries can result in severe harm and hefty medical bills, so victims may be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, emotional distress, and loss of future earning potential. A good Los Angeles fire accident lawyer can help to determine the claims that you may be able to make for your particular situation but common injuries that burn victims seek compensation for, include but are not limited to the following:
- Tissue damage
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of sensation
- Infection
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Respiratory problems
- Organ failure
Liable Parties for Burn Injuries
Burns can result in catastrophic injuries that affect you for a long period of time. If you have sustained burns injuries, whether in your apartment or at work, you may want to get in touch with a Los Angeles fire accident lawyer. He or she can help you identify all of the liable parties and pursue compensation from them. Here are some liable parties that may be held responsible for burn injuries:
- Drivers. Vehicles produce high amounts of heat and carry large amounts of gasoline. If a driver causes an accident, it can trigger a vehicle fire, which can cause victims to suffer burn injuries. In this scenario, the driver may be held liable.
- Property owners and managers. Owners and managers of commercial and residential buildings are responsible for keeping the premises safe for others. If they fail to do this, serious accidents can occur, including fires. Property owners and managers should keep their buildings free from fire hazards and include smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and fire escapes.
- Employers. Employers have a duty to keep the workplace safe for their workers. If they do not do this, accidents, including fires, can happen and employees can get hurt. That is why employers must provide adequate protection for workers.
- Product manufacturers. Product manufacturers have a duty to make sure their products are safe for the public to use. If they fail to do that and someone suffers harm as a result, the manufacturer may be held liable. If you suffered a burn injury from a faulty product, like a water heater or smoke alarm, you should contact a fire accident lawyer Los Angeles, CA residents trust.
Handling a Denied Fire Damage Claim
If an insurance company recently denied your fire damage claim, you may feel frustrated. However, you should not lose all hope. Not all fire claim denials are justified. Here are the next steps to take if your fire damage claim was denied:
- Review the denial letter. Insurance companies can deny fire damage claims for many different reasons, from suspected arson to failing to take preventative measures. After you receive your denial letter, read the details and compare them to the coverage details in your policy. If you believe your insurance company wrongly denied your claim, contact your insurance adjuster to present your argument.
- Submit necessary documentation. If the insurance adjuster requests for you to submit any documents to support your rebuttal, you should do so promptly.
- Hire a public adjuster. If your insurance company isn’t willing to budge, you may want to work with a public adjuster. These professionals represent their clients’ best interests and will handle the negotiation process with the insurance company. A public adjuster may improve your chance of receiving fair compensation from your insurance company.
Free Consultation with a Fire Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles
If you were hurt in a fire accident, you may want to schedule a free consultation with a Los Angeles fire accident lawyer to discuss your case in detail. At Cohen Injury Law Group, P.C. we will take the time to listen to you and offer sound legal advice. The initial consultation is free of charge, so there is no risk in setting up a meeting.
