Going through a traumatic event like a burn injury can feel scary, and you may be unsure of what you can do for yourself. You must look into your rights if you want to move forward. But what exactly are your rights? Hopefully, this blog will shed some light on that for you.
You have the Right to Hire an Attorney, Provided You Don’t Sign Anything
Finding a quality Los Angeles burn injury attorney would be ideal for your first step. When searching for one, one thing to keep in mind is to find someone that would be on the same page as you. Your attorney needs to understand the severity of the situation.
With that being said, DO NOT sign any statement or accept money from your employer before a lawyer is brought into the situation. It could be harmful to your case. Doing any of the two actions could limit your lawyer’s ability to get you as much compensation as you deserve. This cautionary point only applies to those that have received work-related burn injuries.
You Can and SHOULD Record as much as Possible
Proper documentation is vital whether your case is work-related, from a chemical, appliance, vehicle, or home fire.
- Record how severe your pain is and if you have any lasting marks or blisters.
- Any medication or medical treatment you may receive
- If an appliance burned you, try to keep the remains of it ONLY if it’s safe.
- Any evidence that may be beneficial relating to the injury
Keeping the item that burned you (if any) can help with some things. First, if the doctor knows what burned you, they may realize how to treat it. Second, having the item can help determine what caused the burn. Having as much information as possible about what happened will only help your case.
You have the Right to Plead Your Case
This point goes hand in hand with the one about not signing anything or accepting money. But it is still essential to address. Don’t let anyone bully you. If you feel your injuries are severe enough to seek compensation, you have a right to do so.
If the injury is work-related, your employer may try to convince you not to move forward or take a deal. If the deal doesn’t appeal to you, don’t take it! You have rights, and they can’t take them away from you.
We hope this little blog helps you through this challenging time, even if it’s only a little. Seeking compensation for an injury can be complicated, especially if this is your first. You can make it through as long as you keep records and a cool head.
