Michigan Burn Injury Lawyers
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Scarring and disfigurement, including burns, are often life-altering injuries requiring significant medical treatment, leading to high medical expenses.
- Burn victims frequently suffer permanent scarring and disfigurement, causing them pain and mental anguish.
- Personal injury cases stemming from burns are treated similarly to other types of injury cases. Whether they are caused intentionally or accidentally, negligence must be proved.
- Working with an experienced Michigan burn injury lawyer can help you build a strong case to prove the extent of your injuries to obtain the compensation you need to cover your medical expenses and move forward with healing.
Experiencing severe scarring and disfigurement, whether from burns or another type of accident, can be a life-altering event that demands significant medical care and financial resources.
Without the right legal help, you could face mounting medical bills, lost income, and ongoing distress as insurance companies undervalue your claim. At Matz Injury Law, our Michigan scarring and disfigurement lawyers are dedicated to helping clients navigate the legal process and pursue compensation for their injuries. Contact us for a free consultation to explore your legal options and start moving forward.
What Are Burn and Scar Injuries?
When you damage the deep layer of skin—the dermis—scars form from new collagen fibers that mend the wound. A visible scar means the wound has healed. Disfigurement is when your appearance is harmed medically. It can be a burn scar, missing body limb, skin texture, or a body part with a different shape that affects your appearance. Examples include a broken nose or broken fingers that were not set properly.
What Types of Accidents Often Lead to Burns, Permanent Scarring, and Disfigurement?
Many types of accidents can cause permanent scarring and disfigurement, including:
- Car accidents, including motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents and vehicle collisions involving defective products.
- Burn injuries, including third-degree burns.
- Dog bites often leave permanent scars
- Traumatic brain injuries that result in reconstructive surgery
- Medical malpractice causing nerve damage or requiring plastic surgery
- Catastrophic injuries, such as amputations
- Sporting accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Explosion injuries
- Work-related accidents
- Defective products
- Toxic material or chemical exposure
What Types of Damages Can a Victim Receive for Burn Injuries?
Accident victims can recover three types of damages in burn cases, including:
Economic Damages
Sometimes referred to as special damages, economic damages have a monetary value. Depending on the type of accident, you could recover:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Replacement or repair of personal property
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Death-related expenses
Non-Economic Damages
General damages—non-economic damages—do not have a monetary value. They are usually reserved for those whose injuries cause long-term or permanent disabilities, scarring, and disfigurement. Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of consortium or companionship
- Inconvenience
Punitive Damages
While courts order economic damages and non-economic damages in an attempt to make an accident victim whole again, they order punitive damages as a punishment for the defendant’s grossly negligent actions or inactions.
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim for Scarring or Disfigurement?
Yes. If your scarring or disfigurement was a result of someone’s negligence, you can file a claim against the defendant or their insurance company. Regardless of the type of accident that led to the scarring or disfigurement, if another’s negligence or gross negligence caused it, you can file a claim for scarring, excessive scarring, or disfigurement. An injury lawyer can help you navigate the Michigan law to recover the compensation you deserve.
What Compensation Can I Receive for Burn Injuries?
The compensation you can receive for burn depends on the type and severity of the scarring or disfigurement. Compensation can cover medical expenses and non-economic damages, including emotional distress and loss of quality of life. Other factors in determining compensation are long-term impacts and whether the scar or disfigurement makes it physically painful to use the area, e.g., your face, hands, legs, etc.
Types of scars include:
- Keloid Scars: These are usually the result of the healing process, and they are often bumpy and last long after the initial injury heals. Bumps from keloid scarring can sometimes become large and affect mobility.
- Contracture Scars: These are the types of scars caused by burns. As the skin heals, it contracts, which causes tightness that could restrict movement. Contracture scars can also restrict muscle mobility and nerves.
- Hypertrophic Scars: Similar to keloid scars, hypertrophic scars also form from injuries, but they do not exceed the point beyond the original injury.
How Can I Prove My Case for Burn Injury?
You will need evidence to prove your case for compensation for burn injuries. It may be in the form of medical records and other documents and testimony, including:
- Photos of your injuries and the resulting scarring or disfigurement
- Testimony from medical experts
- Evidence of how the injury affected your life
When you work with a personal injury law firm, you can strengthen your case by ensuring you have the proper documentation and legal strategy to prove your case.
Do I Need a Lawyer for Burn Injury Cases?
While you do not need a lawyer, hiring a personal injury lawyer with experience in burn injury cases can improve your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve. They understand the nuances of Michigan law and can handle negotiations with insurance companies in an effective manner.
Additionally, if your burns cause additional issues and may require possible future medical attention, attorneys who have experience in these types of cases are more familiar with estimating future medical expenses.
Different Types of Pain and Suffering Damages for Burn Injuries
Pain and suffering refer to the physical discomfort and emotional distress victims endure due to injury.
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Humiliation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
These and other types of losses a victim suffers due to their injuries do not have a receipt attached, but they still come at a high cost to their lives.
How Comparative Negligence Impacts Your Michigan Burn Injury Case
To be eligible to file a personal injury claim in Michigan, the injury must meet specific criteria based on state law. A victim must prove that the negligent party’s actions led to the injury. In some cases, a defendant will agree to a settlement, while others may dispute, and the case will go to court.
Since Michigan operates under a comparative negligence philosophy, a victim who is found partially responsible for their own injury will have their compensation reduced based on their percentage of guilt. For example, victims who are found 20 percent responsible for their injuries will only receive 80 percent of the compensation for their injuries.
When scarring and disfigurement due to an accident or burns disrupt your life, turn to Matz Injury Law to fight for compensation.
How to File for a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Michigan
Suffering a burn can lead to both physical and emotional distress. It can be overwhelming to determine what to do after experiencing such a traumatic injury. If you plan to file a personal injury claim you will want to:
- Document your physical injuries
- Receive medical treatment for your injuries
- Call an experienced Michigan burn injury lawyer
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Gather evidence of the incident, such as police reports, witness statements, photos, videos, and any other potential supporting documentation
- Negotiate with insurance companies to attempt a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit if you cannot reach a settlement
- Present your case in court
You should call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. They can help you with the rest of the steps so that nothing important is inadvertently overlooked.
Why Clients Partner With Matz Injury Law
When you choose to work with a Matz Injury Law attorney, you will receive complete transparency, strong and regular communication about your case, and the ability to work with your attorney directly. You will never feel as if you are another case number to us.
Testimonials
“Always happy, very personable, and always pleasant to speak with. Steve goes above and beyond for his clients and for this, I am very grateful to have worked with him.” — Jessica D.
“Steve was outstanding from the first telephone conversation all the way through until he settled my case. I would highly recommend him if you ever find yourself in need of a personal injury attorney.” — Sharyn G.
Related Resources
- Wrongful Death in Michigan Due to Negligence: Losing someone to negligence is traumatic under any circumstances. Loved ones may be eligible for compensation.
- Personal Injury Guide to Pain and Suffering in Michigan: If you have injuries that could become long-term or permanent disabilities, permanent scarring, or disfigurement, you could recover pain and suffering in addition to economic damages.
- How Bad Does a Dog Bite Have to Be to Sue: Dog bites do not have to be severe to sue. You may have suffered emotionally from a dog bite in addition to the physical damage, even if that physical damage is minor.
Start Healing Today With a Burn Injury Lawyer and Get a Free Consultation
Matz Injury Law is committed to providing personalized legal services to our clients. Since 1977, the experienced attorneys at our law firm have dedicated themselves to representing Michigan’s injured. We have earned more than $300 million for our clients, traveling to all regions across Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas to meet with clients.
If you or a loved one has suffered burns or scarring and disfigurement injury, you will need compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, emotional distress, and other costs you incur. Take action now for your recovery with a free consultation from a Michigan personal injury lawyer at Matz Injury Law. Call us today at 1-866-22Not33 or fill out our online contact form.
Written By Steven Matz
Steven J. Matz is the founder of Matz Injury Law, specializing in personal injury litigation with a focus on car accident victims. With over 40 years of legal experience, Mr. Matz has achieved numerous million-dollar settlements. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized among Michigan’s Top Attorneys. Steven J. Matz is a frequent lecturer on legal ethics and personal injury law, and serves on the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board.
