About 486,000 people required treatment for burn injuries in the span of a single year. About 60% of cases were admitted to a burn center. If you recently sustained a burn injury, it’s important to seek help right away.
Your medical bills could start stacking up if you don’t have a plan, though. Instead, consider consulting burn injury lawyers. They can help you build a personal injury lawsuit, allowing you to fight for compensation.
Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for your medical bills and other losses out-of-pocket.
Not sure who to hire? Here are eight tips that can help you vet your options for lawyers. With these tips, you can narrow down your options.
You can find an experienced, knowledgeable lawyer who has your best interests in mind.
Start your search for a lawyer with these tips today!
1. Years of Experience
First, it’s important to look for a lawyer with years of experience. They can leverage their prior experience when building your case. Otherwise, a lawyer who just passed the bar exam might lack the know-how you need.
Visit your local bar association website or the Martindale-Hubbel directory. Then, make a list of personal injury lawyers in the area. While you’re online, learn more about each lawyer’s professional history.
How long have they practiced law? Consider how long they’ve practiced as a personal injury lawyer, too.
Make sure each lawyer on your list has an active license to practice in the state. If they don’t, scratch that lawyer off your list.
You might want to find a lawyer who is a member of a national or state organization, too. Many organizations represent injured clients. Consider finding a lawyer who is a member of the American Association of Justice.
These organizations lobby for consumer rights.
You can also look for a board-certified civil trial lawyer. Look for someone certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Their extensive courtroom experience could benefit your case.
Your lawyer will have an easier time preparing you for trial as a result.
2. Specific Expertise
It’s not enough to find a personal injury lawyer for your case. In fact, you can break personal injury law into different categories. For example, you might find a lawyer who primarily works on car crashes or medical malpractice cases.
These lawyers might lack the specific experience and expertise you need.
Instead, look for burn injury lawyers. Ask each lawyer how many burn injury cases they’ve worked on. How many of those cases were recent?
Ask them about the outcome for each burn injury case, too.
Finding a lawyer with the right experience and expertise will give you peace of mind in their abilities. They’ll understand the laws and procedures that are relevant to your case. They likely keep up with recent lawsuits that involve burn victims as well.
Their specialty could strengthen your case. You can count on a lawyer who has the knowledge and expertise you need.
3. A Strong Success Rate
Burns cause an estimated 180,000 deaths every year. Non-fatal burn injuries are the leading cause of morbidity, too.
If you’re pursuing a burn injury case, it’s important to have a winner at your side.
Remember to ask each lawyer how many burn injury cases they’ve worked on. Then, ask how many of those cases they won for their clients. What was the payout for each case?
Choosing a winner will give you peace of mind. You’ll know they have the ability to win your case.
4. References and Reviews
Every burn injury lawyer you speak with will try to convince you they have the expertise you need. You don’t have to take their word for it. Instead, ask for references and reviews.
Try to speak with at least three of their most recent clients. Then, ask the clients if the lawyer was:
- Available to help as needed
- Professional
- Knowledgeable and able to answer questions
- On-time filing the necessary documents
You can also read reviews on the lawyer’s Google My Business and Better Business Bureau listing. Use these reviews to learn more about people who were once in your shoes. If you find an abundance of negative reviews, cross that lawyer off your list.
5. Courtroom Experience
You can’t anticipate whether your case will get settled out of court or go before a judge and jury. As you vet your options for lawyers, ask each lawyer about their courtroom experience.
Some lawyers are nervous about going to court. They might choose to settle your case to avoid a courtroom. In these cases, your lawyer might accept a lower payout on your behalf.
Don’t let that happen. Instead, choose someone with strong courtroom experience. These lawyers will fight with your best interests in mind.
6. A Strong Network
Look for burn injury lawyers who have a strong professional network, too.
For example, your lawyer might want to call on a medical expert. A medical expert can discuss how you sustained your injuries. They can also indicate the lasting effects your injuries might have on your quality of life.
A lawyer with a strong professional network will know who to call to strengthen your case.
7. The Right Skills
Schedule a case consultation with at least three lawyers on your list. Ask them what outcome they expect for your case.
During your conversation, pay attention to how they speak. Are they a strong communicator? Remember, the lawyer will need to speak on your behalf.
If they lack strong communication skills, scratch them off your list.
Look for someone who listens when you speak, too. An active listener will know how to develop a counterargument.
8. An Ideal Fee Structure
Ask each lawyer on your list for a copy of their contract. Discuss their fee structure, too.
Some burn injury lawyers will only accept payment if they win your case. These lawyers will feel more motivated to win your lawsuit.
Make Your Case: 8 Tips for Choosing the Best Burn Injury Lawyers
You don’t have to choose the first burn injury lawyers you find online. Instead, use these tips to vet your options. With these tips, you can find the best lawyer for your burn injury case.
They’ll fight for the compensation you deserve.
Want to talk to a lawyer about your case? We’re here to help.
Contact us today for a case evaluation.