Severe burns are one of the most physically and emotionally painful experiences a person can face. The shock of the incident, the excruciating pain, and the long road to recovery can leave you and your family feeling lost and uncertain about the future.
Whether your injury occurred in a car fire on the busy streets of Billings, a workplace accident at an industrial site, or due to faulty equipment in a Downtown Billings business, the consequences are devastating. You are not just dealing with a physical wound; you are dealing with trauma, mounting medical bills, and questions about how you will ever move forward.
Please know, you do not have to carry this burden alone. While you focus on the critical task of healing, a dedicated Billings burn injury lawyer from Rimrock Law can handle the fight for justice and fair compensation on your behalf. Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation to understand your rights.
Our dedicated injury lawyers are here to help you understand your rights and options, allowing you to focus on what matters most: your recovery.
Why Choose Rimrock Law for Your Billings Burn Injury Claim
When you are facing a life-altering injury, choosing the right legal team is one of the most important decisions you will make. You need more than just a lawyer; you need a trusted advocate, a skilled negotiator, and a trial-ready fighter who understands Montana law and the profound human cost of your injury. At Rimrock Law, we combine decades of experience with a deeply personal commitment to our clients.
Here is why victims of negligence in Billings and across Montana trust Rimrock Law:
- A Proven Record of Results: Our attorneys, Matthew Braukmann, James Dallner, and Phillip Lorenzo, have recovered over $100 million for injured clients. This isn't just a number; it represents restored futures, paid medical bills, and the financial security for our clients to rebuild their lives. We have the resources and resolve to take on large insurance companies and well-funded defendants.
- Deep Local Knowledge: We are Montana's injury lawyers. We live and work here and have handled hundreds of personal injury cases in the Billings court system. We know the local judges, the opposing counsel, and the specific state laws that will shape your case.
- A Compassionate, Team-Based Approach: We believe that "For Us, It's Personal." You are not a case file. You are a person, a family, a member of our community who has been wronged. Our entire team works collaboratively on your case, ensuring you benefit from our collective experience. While you focus on your recovery, we focus on the fight for your future.
- We Don't Back Down: Insurance companies often try to minimize, delay, or deny legitimate claims. They count on victims being too tired or intimidated to fight back. We don't back down from a big fight. We meticulously prepare every case as if it will go to trial, a strategy that often leads to more substantial settlement offers because the other side knows we are serious.
Choosing Rimrock Law means choosing a partner who will stand by your side, protect your rights, and tirelessly pursue full and fair compensation for you.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
A burn injury is far more than skin deep. It is a catastrophic injury that can damage muscle, nerves, and bone, leading to permanent scarring, disfigurement, chronic pain, and loss of mobility. Severe burns, such as third- and fourth-degree burns, often require excruciating treatments like skin grafts, reconstructive surgeries, and extensive physical and occupational therapy.
Beyond the physical scars, victims often face significant emotional and psychological trauma, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The long-term impact can affect your ability to work, engage in hobbies, and even perform daily tasks. The journey to recovery is long, and the costs—both financial and personal—are staggering.
While some burns are the result of unavoidable accidents, many are caused by the carelessness or recklessness of another person or entity. When negligence is the root cause of your injury, you have the legal right to hold the responsible party accountable. A skilled Billings burn injury attorney can help you investigate whether negligence played a role in your injury.
Types of Burn Injury Cases We Handle
Our lawyers have handled a variety of burn injury cases caused by negligent acts, such as:
- Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Workplace Accidents
- Premises Liability Incidents
- Defective Products
- Explosions and fires
- Chemical burns from industrial accidents
If your injury was caused by any of these situations or a similar one where another party failed to act with reasonable care, you may have strong grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.
The Insurance Company Offered Me a Settlement. Should I Take It?
In the days and weeks following a severe burn injury, you will likely be contacted by an insurance adjuster representing the at-fault party. They may seem friendly and concerned. They may even offer you a quick settlement check. To someone facing a mountain of medical bills and unable to work, this offer can be incredibly tempting.
It is crucial that you do not accept any offer or sign any documents before speaking with an experienced burn injury lawyer.
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses. The adjuster’s primary job is not to ensure you are made whole; it is to protect their company’s bottom line by paying out the absolute minimum possible. They know you are in a vulnerable position, and they use this to their advantage. The first offer they make is almost always a "lowball" offer that fails to account for the true, long-term cost of your injury.
A severe burn is not a one-time event. The costs will continue to accumulate for months, years, or even a lifetime. A quick settlement will not cover future medical care, long-term rehabilitation, lost income, and other losses.
Once you accept a settlement, you forfeit your right to seek any further compensation for this injury, no matter what future complications or expenses arise. The insurance company's offer is a final deal designed to close your case cheaply.
At Rimrock Law, we will first conduct a comprehensive assessment of all your past, present, and future damages. We consult with medical experts, life care planners, and financial analysts to calculate the true value of your claim before we even begin negotiations. Do not let an insurance company determine your future. Let us fight for the full compensation you are truly owed.
Compensation Available in a Burn Injury Lawsuit
No amount of money can erase the pain and trauma of a severe burn. However, securing fair and complete compensation is essential for relieving the immense financial pressure on you and your family, and providing the resources you need to heal and build a stable future. As your legal advocates, we will fight to recover damages for every aspect of your loss. In a Montana burn injury case, this compensation, or "damages," may include:
- All Medical Expenses: This includes emergency services, hospitalization, surgeries, skin grafts, doctor’s visits, medication, and medical devices.
- Future Medical Costs: The projected cost of all necessary future treatments and care.
- Lost Income: Income you have lost from being unable to work during your recovery.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: Compensation for the reduction in your ability to earn a living over your lifetime.
- Rehabilitation Costs: The cost of physical, occupational, and vocational therapy.
- Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Costs for things like travel to medical appointments, in-home care, and modifications to your home.
- Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the intense physical pain and emotional distress you have endured and will continue to endure.
- Scarring and Disfigurement: Compensation for the permanent changes to your appearance and the associated humiliation and emotional trauma.
- Mental Anguish: Damages for anxiety, depression, PTSD, fear, and sleep disturbances.
- Loss of Consortium: Compensation for the negative impact the injury has had on your relationship with your spouse.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages for your inability to participate in hobbies, activities, and life experiences you once enjoyed.
Our mission is to ensure that the compensation you receive reflects the totality of your suffering and provides for a lifetime of needs.
What Clients Say About Us
"Solid character, good family man, high integrity."
"During a traumatic event in my life I reached out to Matt and his team. From the first call, Matt's compassion and dedication was quickly noted and will always be remembered."
Billings, MT Burn Injury FAQs
It is completely normal to have many questions during this confusing and difficult time. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions we hear from burn injury victims and their families.
How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in Montana?
In Montana, the time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations, is generally three years from the date of the injury. For certain claims, such as those against government entities, the deadline is much shorter. It is critical to contact a lawyer as soon as possible, because if you miss this deadline, you will lose your right to seek compensation forever.
What if my burn injury happened at my job?
If you were burned at work, you are likely entitled to workers’ compensation benefits, which cover medical bills and a portion of your lost wages regardless of fault. However, workers’ comp does not pay for pain and suffering. If your injury was caused by the negligence of a “third party”—someone other than your employer or a co-worker (like the manufacturer of faulty equipment or a subcontractor on a construction site)—you may be able to file a separate personal injury lawsuit against that third party in addition to your workers’ comp claim. This is a complex area of law where a lawyer’s guidance is essential.
How much does it cost to hire a Billings burn injury lawyer from Rimrock Law?
At Rimrock Law, we handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay no upfront costs, and we only get paid attorney’s fees if we successfully recover compensation for you through a settlement or a jury verdict. Our fee is a percentage of the amount we win for you. This arrangement allows everyone to afford top-tier legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident that caused my burn?
Montana follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means you can still recover damages as long as you are not found to be 51% or more at fault for the accident. Your percentage of fault would reduce your total compensation award. For example, if you were found to be 10% at fault, your final award would be reduced by 10%. Insurance companies often try to unfairly shift blame onto the victim to reduce their payout, making it vital to have a lawyer who can protect you from these tactics.
What is the most important thing I can do to protect my rights after an injury?
First and foremost, seek immediate and thorough medical attention and follow all of your doctor’s orders. Second, preserve any evidence you can: take photos of your injuries and the accident scene if possible, and keep any related items (like a defective product). Third, do not speak with the other party’s insurance company or give a recorded statement. Finally, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as you are able. The sooner we get involved, the better we can preserve critical evidence and protect you from costly mistakes.
Contact Our Billings Burn Injury Lawyers Today
Burn injuries are life-altering. The legal team at Rimrock Law is here to lift the legal and financial burdens from your shoulders so you can dedicate your energy to what matters most: your health and your family. We are committed to being the advocates you can count on in a crisis. We will listen to your story with compassion, answer your questions with honesty, and fight for your future with unwavering resolve.
While you focus on healing, we will focus on the fight. Let us put our experience, resources, and dedication to work for you.
Contact Billing personal injury law firm today at (406) 606-1650 or through our online form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. We are here to guide you toward justice and recovery.