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What Type of Cases Would I Need a Lawyer?

There are many situations where you may need legal assistance. There are obvious matters like car accidents, personal injury, or product liability cases; but what about the not so obvious matters like social security disability, drafting a will, or even a tax problem?

Generally speaking, if you think you need a lawyer, then you probably do.

Lucky for you, Burnett Law of Crossville Tennessee will speak to you over the phone or in person completely free of charge to determine if your matter does need a lawyer and if so, what the likelihood of success may be for your case. To read more about our free consultation process, visit our FAQ page.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

If you’ve never worked with a lawyer before, there are many types of legal issues that might require representation.  According to FindLaw.com, the top reasons to find a lawyer may include if you have suffered an injury, been wrongfully terminated at work, are thinking about starting a business, or have been accused of committing a crime.

At Burnett Law, we can help you with all of these and more. We specialize in helping with legal matters after they have come up – after a car accident, for example.  Although it may be ideal to find a lawyer before a legal issue arises, we understand that this is not always possible and are ready to fight for you after the matter has happened.

Fun Fact. In Tennessee, all personal injury claims (including car accidents, slip and falls, and medical malpractice claims) have a statute of limitations of one year from the date of the initial incident.

At Burnett Law we have a widespread Injury Claim Practice and General Law Practice. This vast experience serves to help you. We have served the Upper Cumberland region for over 25 years in Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Social Security Disability, Criminal Defense, Divorce, and Wills & Estates. Contact our team at Burnett Law to start your free consultation.

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What Situations Do You Need a Lawyer For?

A general rule of thumb is that if you have a legal problem, it is worth talking to an attorney. We try to make this easy by having legal assistants available by phone and offer free consultations in our Crossville office.

Some common situations where getting legal advice from a lawyer may be necessary include:

  • An accident involving personal injury or resulting medical treatment
  • A defective product resulting in an injury or medical treatment
  • A family problem such as divorce or a child custody dispute
  • The drafting of a will, trust, or estate plan
  • An arrest or questioning by law enforcement officials

There are so many different areas of the law that can require a lawyer’s help;  and again, we highly recommend giving us a call to discuss the details of your specific situation. Even if you are in a class action lawsuit, you may need counsel to help represent and gather all documentation on your behalf. If it’s a legal matter – call an experienced lawyer. If nothing else, we would love to give you our opinion anyway. 🙂

What Happens After You Decide That You Need a Lawyer?

At Burnett Law, we assess your case from the moment we speak to you. If you call in, one of our qualified legal assistants will gather all information and have an attorney research the matter and give you a call back. We then set an in-person consultation from there.

Note, if injuries are involved, we have been known to make house calls at the best interest of the client. We serve communities of Crossville, Cookeville, Dayton, Oak Ridge, and more.

From there, our lawyers will assess your legal issue and tell you whether it is worth obtaining legal assistance and/or pursuing legal action. Basically, do we think we will win? Thats what everyone wants to know!

At Burnett Law, we will tell you straight up. If the case is unlikely to win, we will tell you exactly why we recommend not incurring any unnecessary time or expenses.

If the case is something outside of our expertise, we have the referral base to get you to someone reputable in the community that may be able to take your case.

If we determine legal action is the best course, we will explain your options and what to expect each step of the way. We will then help you take any action needed to protect your legal rights moving forward and begin working on your case.

This includes researching the law, interviewing witnesses, collecting records, conferring with expert consultants, planning legal strategy, preparing and filing the necessary paperwork, and negotiating with insurers and opposing counsel – all with an eye and passion towards the best possible outcome for your legal claim.

Our Injury Claim Practice

Personal Injury, Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Trucking Accidents, Interstate Accidents, Pedestrian Accident, and Bicycle Injuries

Putnam County including Cookeville is ranked 8th in overall crash ranking in the state of Tennessee, with a staggering 451 injuries per year from auto accidents alone. Roane County ranked 33rd overall in crash rankings, with about 275 auto injuries per year. Cumberland County, including Crossville, is ranked 47th overall with 321 injuries per year (National Crash Data). 

These numbers are staggering. With all the new construction, tort law reforms, and ever increasing infrastructure of East Tennessee, we just don’t see this slowing down anytime soon. If you or a loved one do find yourself in any of these types of accidents, give Burnett Law a call. Partner and Attorney Philip Burnett has more than 25 years of experience recovering losses from accidents. 

Social Security, in addition to retirement benefits, provides income protections for workers who are disabled. The process for receiving this benefit can be complicated and take a very long time (think years!). Contacting Burnett Law can increase the success of an application and/or an appeal process because we have the experience in helping disabled workers get the benefits they have earned. Again, we have the system down to a science and are willing to fight for you.  See our recent testimonials for more on this.

When products hurt consumers, companies can be held liable for injuries and further damages. The legal precedents for holding companies responsible can be found in 1916’s MacPherson v. Buick Motor Co. The plaintiff bought a new Buick from a dealer. As he was driving, the car collapsed because a wheel had been made from defective wood. The court found that an inspection of the wheel would have found it to be defective and the automaker was negligent.If you have been injured by a product, contact Burnett Law located in Crossville, Tennessee. We have more than 25 years of experience in defective product liability injury cases. Burnett Law can help you fight for compensation when a company’s pursuit for profits results in injuries to its consumers.

People slip and fall almost anywhere, including at businesses, hotels, or someone else’s home. Falls can cause broken bones, pulled muscles, head injuries, and in some cases, even death. If the owner of the place where you slipped and fell did not take enough care to prevent or warn about such unsafe conditions, you may be eligible to sue for damages, including medical bills and pain and suffering. We will look at the facts of your case, research the location and date of injury, and let you know your eligibility on recovering losses. We have represented multiple slip and fall cases in Cumberland and Putnam counties.

Injuries from dog bites can be serious. A dog’s teeth can cause puncture wounds, scars, nerve damages, and more. The Centers for Disease Control estimates 4.5 million people suffer from dog bites each year, with one in five bites requiring medical attention. The Insurance Information Institute reports the average cost per claim of a dog bite injury was $44,760 in 2019. Our Personal Injury division can help you recover damages for your pain and suffering after a dog bite. Every case is different, but we can examine the facts of your case and help you fight for your recovery.

Probably the most famous burn injury is the McDonald’s coffee case. One spilled cup of coffee caused third-degree burns on 16% of the client’s body. This required multiple skin grafts, a lengthy hospital stay, and two years of recovery. She was also left permanently scarred.

Her medical bills were upwards of $10,000. McDonald’s offered an $800 settlement. And this is why you need a lawyer for personal injury and burn injuries! At the trial, it was discovered McDonald’s served coffee at 190° F — much hotter than the temperature of other restaurants and home-brewed coffee. The jury awarded this victim $200,000 for her injuries and punitive damages of $2.7 million.

Burn injuries can happen at home or at work, due to faulty products or inadequate warnings on products, or in traffic accidents. If you have suffered a burn injury, we will help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, long-term care, and pain and suffering.

Our General Claim Practice

Charged with a crime? You might face jail time or a record that will follow you for the rest of your life. At Burnett Law we can help you navigate the criminal justice system and help you make the best decision for your future. Criminal defense matters are very case by case as there are so many details to your specific matter. If you are suspected, questioned, or currently undergoing criminal charges, it is imperative you give us a call as soon as possible so we may help protect your legal rights.

A divorce is more than the ending of a marriage; divorces often involve property, custody of children, and future assets. Burnett Law can help you navigate the court system or tough spousal negotiations by keeping your best interests in mind during such an emotionally difficult time.

When products hurt consumers, companies can be held liable for injuries and further damages. The legal precedents for holding companies responsible can be found in 1916’s MacPherson v. Buick Motor Co. The plaintiff bought a new Buick from a dealer. As he was driving, the car collapsed because a wheel had been made from defective wood. The court found that an inspection of the wheel would have found it to be defective and the automaker was negligent.If you have been injured by a product, contact Burnett Law located in Crossville, Tennessee. We have more than 25 years of experience in defective product liability injury cases. Burnett Law can help you fight for compensation when a company’s pursuit for profits results in injuries to its consumers.

Case in Question: Why Call Burnett Law?

What paperwork is needed? How do you fill out this paperwork? Who do you talk to when you have the required documents? Who should you give your money to: the insurance company, the court? Who should you contact and who should you not contact? How do you negotiate? Where do you even start? 

It is easy to make a mistake in today’s complex legal market. This is where Burnett Law comes in. With over 26 years of experience in car wreck litigation, social security disability, and other general civil litigation, the attorneys at Burnett Law get you the results you deserve. We take pride in offering excellent legal solutions and clear communication to our clients. 

Having an attorney can make your claim easier – but having the right attorney can give you the advantage you need.

Give our office a call or fill out our online form to begin your free consultation process.