The heat of a sudden fire or the searing touch of a chemical spill changes your life in a heartbeat. One moment you work or cook at home, the next you face agonizing pain because someone else ignored a safety protocol or sold a faulty product. 

Now you look at medical bills for skin grafts and specialized care while an insurance company treats your trauma like a math problem. You wonder how you will provide for your family while your body tries to heal from injuries that require months of recovery. 

An Olympia burn injury lawyer from our firm cuts through this chaos. We have held careless parties accountable for the harm they cause since 1893. We have mastered the art of making insurance companies pay what they actually owe instead of the lowball number they hope you will accept out of desperation. 

You should not be filling out forms or arguing with adjusters when you need to focus on physical therapy and your household. We handle the bureaucratic nightmare: the paperwork, the phone calls, the negotiations that insurance companies use to wear down injured people. 

You have already been through enough — the pain, the surgeries, the fear that this injury will financially ruin you. We take it from here. An experienced personal injury lawyer from our firm understands how local insurance companies operate. Our 130 years of serving Thurston County and the Puget Sound area mean we know exactly how they think and how to counter their tactics.

We are ready. Call us today.

Why Choose Jacobs & Jacobs for an Olympia Burn Injury Lawyer

Jacobs and Jacobs Injury Law Group Logo

Jacobs & Jacobs represents a legacy of service that spans more than a century in the Puget Sound area. B.F. Jacobs began our firm in 1893, and we continue that mission today through the leadership of Tom Jacobs. 

Tom uses his 40 years of experience to guide our advocacy and protect your rights in Thurston County. We employ more than 50 members who work together to seek a fair resolution for your claim.

  • Our satellite office in Olympia serves Thurston County neighbors with personal attention.
  • Our 130-year legacy provides the strength necessary to confront major insurance companies.
  • Staff speak English and Spanish, making our help accessible to everyone.
  • We only receive payment if we successfully recover money for your claim.

Our firm maintains the resources of a large team while keeping the compassionate approach of a family business. We lift the legal burden from your shoulders so you can spend your time with your family. 

Our history in the local legal community allows us to provide the steady guidance you need after a fire or explosion. We have lived and worked in this region since 1893, which gives us a unique knowledge of the local landscape. Call our office today to talk about your situation.

Proving Accountability for Burn Injuries

Faulty wiring, defective appliances, or neglected property maintenance often cause fires that lead to severe harm. Negligence occurs when a person or company fails to exercise the care that a reasonable person would use in the same situation. 

We investigate the facts of the incident to prove who carries the legal responsibility for your injuries. Our team gathers fire marshal reports, witness statements, and photos of the scene to build a strong argument for accountability.

Establishing liability serves as the foundation of your recovery. We seek evidence that a property owner failed to address a gas leak or that a manufacturer failed to correct a product defect. This work enables us to demonstrate to the insurance company exactly how the incident occurred.

  • Negligence: We show that the other party failed to follow safety rules or act with care.
  • Evidence: We secure photos and inspection reports while they remain fresh and available.
  • Accountability: We hold the responsible party and their insurance provider responsible for the harm they caused.

We handle the paperwork and the investigations while you focus on your medical treatment. Our firm possesses the experience needed to manage every detail of your claim from the start. Call our office today to talk about your case.

How Pure Comparative Fault Protects Your Recovery

Washington laws establish a system called pure comparative fault to determine the money a person receives after an accident. This law allows for a recovery even if the injured person shared some of the blame for the fire or explosion. 

The court or insurance company assigns a percentage of fault to everyone involved, then the law reduces your recovery by that percentage. RCW 4.22.005 outlines this system for personal injury cases across our state.

Insurance companies often try to place an unfair share of blame on burn victims to protect their profits. They might claim you ignored a warning sign or that you failed to exit a building quickly enough. We fight these tactics with facts and documentation.

  • Fault Assessment: Courts assign a specific percentage of responsibility to each party.
  • Recovery Reduction: Your final amount reflects the share of blame assigned to the other party.
  • Legal Protection: We use evidence to protect you from unfair claims of fault made by insurance adjusters.

Our firm makes sure the facts remain clear during negotiations. We have managed these challenges for families across the Puget Sound for over 130 years. Accountability remains our primary focus throughout the entire legal process. Call our office today to talk about your case.

Documenting Burn Injuries to Build Claim Value

Severe burns often cause catastrophic physical harm that requires long-term care and multiple surgeries. We discuss injuries like deep tissue damage to explain how they change the value of your claim, including the full scope of economic and non-economic damages you may be entitled to recover.

Documentation of these injuries provides the proof necessary to show the insurance company why you need a fair settlement. Scarring and disfigurement require careful documentation because they significantly impact your daily life and future. 

We use hospital reports and notes from plastic surgeons to show the extent of the harm. These records allow us to calculate the full cost of your medical treatment and future skin grafts.

  • Medical Records: These files show the surgeries, treatments, and pain management you received.
  • Specialist Reports: Documentation from doctors explains the care you will need in the future.
  • Claim Value: Detailed records help us seek a settlement that covers every part of your recovery.

We handle the process of requesting and organizing these medical files. This work allows you to stay focused on your physical therapy without worrying about hospital paperwork. 

Our firm focuses on how these injuries change the legal value of your case. Call our office today to talk about your situation.

Keeping Track of the Washington Statute of Limitations

Washington laws set a strict time limit for filing a burn injury claim. RCW 4.16.080 generally gives you three years from the date of the incident to take legal action. Missing this three-year limit means the court will likely dismiss your case.

Building a strong case requires us to act quickly while evidence still exists. Photos of the property or fresh witness memories disappear over time. We begin work early to ensure that we preserve every detail for your claim.

  • The Three Year Limit: Laws require you to file your case within three years of the incident.
  • Evidence Preservation: We secure photos and statements before they are lost or destroyed.
  • Legal Deadlines: Our team manages all the filings to keep your case moving forward.

Our firm tracks all these important dates for you. We manage the timelines so you do not have to worry about legal calendars. Call us as soon as you can so we can begin the investigation and protect your rights.

Actions You Can Take From Home

Simple actions at home help our team as we build your claim. You can keep a folder for all the paperwork you receive after the incident. This includes medical bills, discharge summaries, and letters from insurance companies. 

We suggest you avoid speaking with insurance adjusters from the other party before you talk to us.

  • Keep all bills related to the medical care you receive.
  • Save a record of any communication from the fire department or witnesses.
  • Call our office if you receive a letter or a phone call from an insurance company.

We offer mobile appointments where our team comes to your home if traveling to our offices feels difficult. We provide the support you need in a way that respects your situation. Our goal is to make this process easier for you. We are ready to help whenever you feel prepared to talk. Call our office today to talk about your case.

Woman’s hands with burning pain from defective product

Injured? Get the Compensation You Deserve!

Don’t let insurance companies undervalue your claim. Our experienced injury attorneys fight for your maximum compensation—so you can focus on healing. No fees unless we win!

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A Legacy of Service Since 1893

Jacobs & Jacobs has remained a steady presence in the Puget Sound area since 1893. We serve families in Olympia, Kent, and Puyallup with compassion and strength. 

Our history of serving Washington since 1893 shows our dedication to treating our neighbors with respect. We are members of the local community who care about the people here.

  • Our satellite office in Olympia provides a local base for Thurston County families.
  • A team of over 50 members makes sure we have the resources to manage your claim successfully.
  • Primary offices in Kent and Puyallup support our work across the region.

We provide honest and hopeful guidance throughout the legal process. Our team is ready to listen to your story and help you find a path forward. We possess the experience needed to hold major companies and insurance providers accountable. Call our office today to talk about your situation.

FAQs

Can I seek a recovery if a defective space heater caused a fire?

Product manufacturers carry a responsibility to sell items that are safe for consumers. You may have a claim against the manufacturer or the retailer if a design flaw or a manufacturing defect caused the fire. We investigate the history of the product to see if other people reported similar dangers. Call our office today to talk about your case.

What if my burn injury happened while visiting someone else’s house?

Homeowners insurance policies usually cover injuries that occur on a person’s property due to negligence. We help you file a personal injury claim against the policy to cover your medical expenses and pain. This allows you to get the support you need without placing a direct financial burden on the property owner. Call our office today to talk about your situation.

Does the law allow me to recover money for the emotional impact of scarring?

Washington law allows for non-economic damages, which include the emotional distress and quality of life changes caused by permanent scarring. We work with specialists to document how the injury changed your appearance and your daily life. This ensures the insurance company pays for the full scope of your harm. 

Will the insurance company pay for my future skin grafts and surgeries?

A fair settlement must include the cost of care you will need in the years ahead. We calculate these future costs by looking at the recommendations from your surgeons and specialists. This ensures you have the resources necessary for ongoing treatments or reconstructive surgeries. 

What if a chemical spill at a business caused my burn?

Businesses must follow strict safety protocols when handling chemicals or hazardous materials. You may have a claim if the company failed to provide warnings or if they stored the materials improperly. We look at the safety records of the business to build a strong argument for accountability. 

How does the law treat burns caused by electrical malfunctions?

Electrical fires often involve complex questions about building codes and maintenance. We look at whether a landlord or an electrician failed to maintain the building’s wiring properly. Documentation of code violations serves as vital evidence for proving negligence in these cases. 

Call Jacobs & Jacobs Today

Your recovery requires a legal team that provides strength and capable assistance. We manage the legal details and the investigations so you can focus on your health. 

Contact our office today to discuss your case and learn how we can provide the advocacy you need. We have the history and the resources to help you seek accountability. We will take it from here.