Table of Contents
- Common Causes of Burn Injuries in New York
- What You Must Prove To Win a Burn Injury Lawsuit in New York
- How Much Compensation Can You Recover for a Burn Injury in New York?
- How Long Do You Have To File a Burn Injury Claim in New York?
- How a New York Burn Injury Lawyer Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
- Proven Burn Injury Case Results From Lever & Ecker
- Suffer a Burn Injury in New York? Pursue Maximum Compensation by Hiring Lever & Ecker
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in New York
Burn injuries can happen in many different ways, from everyday accidents to workplace hazards. Some of the most common causes of burn injuries in New York include:
- Car and truck accidents: Fires can ignite from fuel or electrical systems, and victims can suffer burns from hot engine parts, exhaust pipes, or road friction.
- Defective products: Household appliances, batteries, chargers, space heaters, and hair styling tools can malfunction, potentially causing burns or other injuries.
- Residential or building fires: Hot water, kitchen fires, grease, and faulty electrical wiring can cause scalding or burns to residents.
- Workplace or construction accidents: Industrial fires, explosions, chemical spills, and electrical equipment malfunctions can cause serious burns to workers.
In many cases, multiple parties may share responsibility for burn injuries. Our team will fight for you, holding all responsible parties accountable and pursuing the full compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering, and to cover your medical costs, lost income, and recovery expenses.
What You Must Prove To Win a Burn Injury Lawsuit in New York
If you suffered burn injuries in New York because of another person’s negligence, you will need to prove the following:
- Duty of care: The wrongdoing party, that is, the defendant, had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care to prevent harm to you. For instance, a property owner or manager has a duty to maintain safe conditions on their premises.
- Breach of duty: The defendant did not act with reasonable care. For example, if the defendant knew about faulty wiring but left it unrepaired, causing a fire, this could indicate negligence.
- Causation: The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused your burn injury. To establish this link, you can present evidence such as medical records, witness statements and photographs that support your claim.
- Damages: You experienced actual losses, such as pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. Medical records, treatment bills, and related documentation can provide evidence of these damages.
How Much Compensation Can You Recover for a Burn Injury in New York?
When you suffer a burn injury, the impact extends far beyond immediate medical treatment. In New York, victims may be eligible to pursue multiple types of damages to address both the financial and emotional toll of their injuries. Common types of compensation include:
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Economic damages: Medical bills, lost wages, physical therapy, and rehabilitation costs
In rare instances, a court may award punitive damages as a punishment against the defendant for gross negligence or recklessness.
The value of your claim depends on multiple factors, including the severity of your injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and the financial resources of the responsible party.
How Long Do You Have To File a Burn Injury Claim in New York?
In New York, the personal injury statute of limitations generally allows you to file a lawsuit within three years of an accident. However, deadlines are shorter for wrongful death cases or when you sue a government entity, such as a municipality of the State of New York.
If you file a claim against a municipality, you must take additional steps. You must submit a Notice of Claim to the appropriate municipal entity within 90 days of the accident. You must then wait 30 days before filing your lawsuit. This waiting period gives the entity time to investigate your claim and, if it accepts responsibility, offer an initial settlement. In the absence of a resolution, the deadline to serve the complaint to start the action against the municipality is one year and ninety days from the date of accident. Note that claims against the State of New York have different rules and deadlines.
Following these deadlines is crucial. Missing them can lead to dismissal of your case and cause you to lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries and other losses. Contact Lever & Ecker as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected.
How a New York Burn Injury Lawyer Can Help You Get the Compensation You Deserve
We take care of the hard work for you, providing guidance and resources to help you make informed legal decisions and get the care you need. You can rely on us to handle every step of the legal process. When you work with us, our attorneys will take care of the following:
- Investigation and evidence gathering: We will handle the hard work for you and manage the legal process on your behalf.
- Calculate full damages: We carefully calculate all your damages to pursue the full and fair compensation you deserve for your recovery.
- Insurance negotiations: We handle all insurance negotiations, standing up to any tactics that insurance companies use to reduce their payout.
- Trial representation: We do not seek quick settlements. If insurance companies refuse to offer full and fair compensation, we’re prepared to take your case to trial if necessary.
Proven Burn Injury Case Results From Lever & Ecker
The award-winning New York lawyers at Lever & Ecker, PLLC, have a proven track record in handling burn cases. Our firm secured an $850,000 settlement for a client whose infant suffered second-degree burns after hot water scalded him in a Bronx apartment. Our attorneys defeated the defense’s claim that the building’s boiler was safe.
Our clients can rely on us for top-notch legal representation and honest, open communication. With more than 70 years of combined experience, our burn injury lawyers handle each case with the utmost care and treat each client like family, guiding and supporting them at every step.
Suffer a Burn Injury in New York? Pursue Maximum Compensation by Hiring Lever & Ecker
If you or a loved one suffered burn injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Don’t delay in protecting your rights. Contact Lever & Ecker for a free initial consultation to learn more about your legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you.
Contact us online or call one of our three office locations today:
White Plains: (914) 288-9191
Bronx: (718) 933-3632
Queens: (347) 391-6337
