EMT workers helping a burn injury victim behind the text Burn Injury Attorneys Serving Omaha.

Serious burn injuries inflict excruciating pain and leave lasting scars, both physical and emotional. Burn victims often face a long and difficult road to recovery, struggling with financial hardship on the way. If you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, an Omaha burn injury lawyer can help you pursue justice and compensation.

Contact the personal injury lawyers of Mueller Schmidt Mulholland & Cooling online or at 402-999-9000 to discuss your legal rights and options in a serious burn injury case. Our legal team offers a free consultation to determine if you have a claim or to pursue a burn injury lawsuit on your behalf. Check out our client testimonials and case results to see the knowledge and experience we can bring to your burn injury case.

Table Of Contents

    Understanding the Severity of Burn Injuries

    Burn injuries can range from relatively minor first-degree and second-degree burns to catastrophic third-degree burns. Severe burns and injuries may result from various incidents, such as:

    Factors of burn victims’ injuries, like the depth of the burn, the degree of skin damage, and the location of the injury on the body, can determine the severity of a burn injury and the types of treatment they require. Common complications linked to burn injuries include:

    • Severe pain and scarring
    • Infection and sepsis
    • Difficulty regulating body temperature
    • Contractures and limited mobility
    • Disfigurement and permanent skin damage
    • Psychological trauma, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    • Inability to return to work or participate in previous activities or hobbies

    These complications can lead to substantial medical expenses, lost income, and a reduced quality of life for burn victims as they undergo physical therapy. An Omaha burn injury lawyer specifically understands the profound effects of these injuries and can help you seek the compensation you need to address your unique challenges and move forward.

    The Role of Negligence in Burn Injury Cases

    Negligence is a central concept in the causes of burn injuries and injury cases. This refers to a party’s failure to exercise reasonable care that resulted in harm to another person. To secure compensation, you must demonstrate that another party’s negligence or wrongdoing caused or contributed to your burn injuries. To prove negligence, your burn injury attorney must establish four key elements:

    • Duty – The responsible party owed you a duty of care to ensure your safety.
    • Breach – The responsible party breached this duty by acting or failing to act in a way that a reasonable person would under similar circumstances.
    • Causation – The breach of duty caused or contributed to your burn injury.
    • Losses – You suffered actual losses, such as medical expenses or lost income, as a result of the injury.

    Your lawyer will use evidence and expert testimony to demonstrate how the responsible party’s negligence led to your burn injury and the extent of the losses you’ve suffered. 

    Identifying Liable Parties in Burn Injury Cases

    A burn injury attorney will thoroughly investigate your injury’s circumstances to identify all liable parties and assemble a strong case on your behalf. Depending on the nature of your injury, liable parties may include:

    • Employers who fail to provide a safe work environment or proper safety equipment
    • Property owners who neglect to maintain safe premises or fail to install smoke detectors or fire suppression systems
    • Manufacturers or distributors of defective products that cause burns or fires
    • Negligent drivers who cause accidents resulting in burn injuries
    • Utility companies responsible for electrical accidents or gas leaks

    Your lawyer will collect evidence, secure witness testimony, and work with experts to establish liability and demonstrate the extent of your injuries and losses.

    When Does a Burn Injury Claim Become a Burn Injury Lawsuit?

    In the best-case scenario, the people involved in a personal injury claim for burn injuries can come to an agreement for a settlement without going to court. When they cannot, a burn injury claim can become a burn injury lawsuit. The most common reasons to file a burn injury lawsuit are if there is a denial of liability for severe burn injuries by the responsible party, there has been a settlement offer deemed inadequate by the injured party, and using a lawsuit as a legal strategy to pressure a fair settlement.

    A Nebraska burn injury attorney from Mueller Schmidt Mulholland & Cooling can help you file a lawsuit and take you through the court process from discovery to trial. Our legal team doesn’t back down and will aggressively represent you in court.

    The Importance of Prompt Medical Treatment and Documentation

    If you’ve suffered burn injuries, seeking immediate medical attention is necessary for your health, well-being, and the strength of your legal case. Immediate medical treatment for severe burns can help prevent complications, minimize scarring, and improve your chances of achieving a full physical recovery. It also creates a record of your injury and the care you received, which can be valuable evidence in your burn injury claim.

    Be sure to follow your doctor’s advice for severe burns. Attend all follow-up appointments, and gather all records of your medical treatment, medical expenses, and any adaptations you must make to your daily life due to your burn injuries. Our legal team can use this documentation to build a strong case and demonstrate the extent of your losses.

    Pursuing Compensation for Your Burn Injury

    If someone else’s carelessness caused your burn injury, you might qualify for compensation covering various expenses and losses, such as:

    • Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgeries, medications, and ongoing rehabilitation
    • Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
    • Pain and suffering
    • Emotional distress and mental anguish
    • Disfigurement and scarring
    • Loss of enjoyment of life
    • Adaptive equipment and home modifications

    Your Omaha burn injury lawyer will carefully assess the full scope of your economic and non-economic losses to ensure you pursue fair compensation. They will negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and other third parties to secure a fair settlement that addresses your current and future needs.

    Dealing with Insurance Companies in Burn Injury Cases

    After sustaining serious burns or burn injuries, you may be contacted by insurance companies seeking to settle your claim quickly and for as little as possible. It is essential to remember that these insurance companies prioritize their own financial interests. Insurance companies may attempt to undervalue your claim or make an initial settlement offer that’s less than you deserve.

    The Statute of Limitations for Burn Injury Claims in Nebraska

    Legal books, scales of justice and gavel representing justice in an Omaha burn injury lawsuit.

    Acting promptly after sustaining a burn injury protects your legal rights and strengthens your case. Nebraska law outlines the statute of limitations for filing personal injury claims, including those related to burn injuries. In most cases, you have four years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Consult an Omaha burn injury lawyer as soon as possible because the statute of limitations may differ in your situation.

    Consulting with a lawyer early on allows them to investigate your burn injuries case, gather evidence, and build a robust claim on your behalf. Establishing liability and securing fair compensation may be more challenging as time passes and usable evidence becomes more difficult to obtain. 

    Contact Mueller Schmidt Mulholland & Cooling to Discuss Your Burn Injury Claim

    At Mueller Schmidt Mulholland & Cooling, our compassionate and skilled burn injury attorneys are experienced in representing burn injury victims who have suffered burn injuries due to another’s negligence or wrongdoing. Book a complimentary initial consultation to discuss your case and assess legal options. We work on a contingency fee basis – you owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you.

    Contact us online or at 402-999-9000 to schedule your free consultation with an Omaha burn injury lawyer. Together, we can work towards holding responsible parties accountable and securing the resources you need to rebuild your life.