Burn Accident Checklist
Burning yourself is actually a fairly common experience.
Most people have touched a hot stove or a lit match and experienced the pain of
burning skin. Sometimes we burn ourselves, other times we are burned by someone
else or as a result of their actions. Many non-lawyers have no idea what they
can do to help themselves following a burn accident. Crucial evidence that you
could use to help yourself, due to the nature of the incident (like burning
wood, for example) disappears never to be seen again. Here are some tips that
you can use to ensure that you have maximized your potential for recovery
through evidence preservation.
Photographs
- Take pictures of location where your accident occurred, as soon as
possible, to capture the condition at the time that you were injured.
- If possible, take photographs of the condition of your clothing and
shoes immediately following the accident.
- Take photographs of any warning signs that might be in the area of the
location of the accident.
- If you sustained a visible injury, take photograph(s) of the injury to
preserve the state of the injury at the time of the injury.
- Feel free to take as many photographs of what you think may, no matter
how trivial, be important to the accident. Your attorney will decide what
is and what is not important.
Statements of Witness(es)
- Take the name, address and telephone number of any potential witness
and save this information someplace where it will not be lost.
- Return to the accident scene, visit any nearby homes or business, if
applicable, for any potential witness(es) to the accident.
- Revisit the scene of the accident several times at the same time at
which the accident took place. Some people may have a habit of stopping or
driving by the location of the accident as part of their normal daily
routine. You may able to find a witness.
- If you have obtained witness information, do not contact or speak to
the witness(es) again. Let your attorney contact any possible witness(es).
- Try to determine if a report on the incident has been prepared and
request a copy.