Burn Injury | Lawsuits, Claims & Assistance (2026)

Understanding Burn Injuries Eligible for Compensation

Burn injuries encompass a range of types and severities, from superficial burns needing only basic care to critical ones necessitating extensive medical intervention and potentially leading to long-term impairment or disfigurement. Key varieties of burns that often give rise to legal claims include:

• Thermal Burns: These are caused by exposure to fire, hot surfaces, steam, or scalding liquids, causing skin and tissue damage.
• Chemical Burns: Exposure to harsh chemicals, such as acids or solvents, can result in significant tissue harm and acute pain.
• Electrical Burns: Contact with electrical currents can cause deep tissue damage and may lead to severe complications, including cardiac arrest.
• Radiation Burns: These burns arise from exposure to ionizing radiation sources, including medical treatments or accidents, and can have grave long-term health consequences.
• Friction Burns: Often seen in accidents that involve skin abrasion against rough surfaces, these burns can occur from road accidents or contact with machinery.
• Scald Burns: Resulting from contact with hot liquids or steam, these burns are common in both domestic and industrial settings.

Burn injuries are also classified by severity. There are three main burn categories. The mildest of these are superficial burns. These only impact the top layer of your skin and might not need medical assistance. You may notice redness and a bit of pain. Most sunburns are superficial, for example. It’s possible to experience a bit of peeling.

Partial-thickness burns impact your epidermis and your dermis, which is the next layer of tissue. You might experience blisters and color or texture changes to the affected area. The pain can be more significant, and the risk of scarring can increase, too. Getting medical assistance as quickly as possible is vital.

Full-thickness burns are the most severe. These affect your skin, underlying tissues, fat layers and could even impact your bones. If you suffer one of these injuries, you may not experience much pain directly at the site of the burn because your nerve endings will be damaged. Instead, the area surrounding it will hurt. The skin can be white or charred-looking.

Full-thickness burns are the ones most likely to result in life-threatening complications. Your body can go into shock from the pain, and you may develop hypothermia because you won’t have fat or tissues in the area helping you maintain your temperature.

Who Is Legally Responsible for a Burn Injury?

Establishing liability can be complex when dealing with burn injuries. In instances involving malfunctioning appliances or other dangerous products, you can file a product liability case and hold the manufacturer responsible.

If the burn injury occurred because of medical malpractice, you may be able to pursue a claim against the healthcare provider who offered substandard care, as well as their employer. That’s only possible, however, if the professional is an employee of the hospital or other facility.

There may be instances when you could file a claim against a property owner or manager as well. For example, if you suffer a scalding burn because of a malfunctioning boiler that your landlord knew about and did nothing to fix, you could file a premises liability claim.

Potential Compensation in Burn Injury Cases

Success in a burn injury lawsuit can lead to compensation covering:

• Medical expenses incurred and future medical care
• Lost earnings during recovery
• Pain and suffering endured
• Disfigurement and related psychological impacts
• Loss of consortium and life quality

The exact compensation amount will largely depend on the specifics of your case.

One of the factors that can increase the value of your claim and lead to more significant compensatory damages is the severity of your injuries. Burns are particularly complex injuries that can lead to infections. Some people who sustain severe burns develop pneumonia and other respiratory issues.

If infections aren’t addressed in time, it’s possible to develop sepsis, as well. This is a life-threatening condition that can impact your organs and leave you with lasting medical problems.

Scarring is another common problem with burn injuries. You might need skin grafts, which could result in disfigurement and might require reconstructive surgery. A permanent injury such as this can mean higher medical expenses, so your economic damages should address these losses.

Another factor that will impact the type of compensation you receive is the type of evidence you have that connects the other party to your losses. If there are disputes regarding fault, for example, or if you are partly responsible for the accident that caused your injuries, then you may not be able to receive as high a settlement as you would if civil liability were clearly on the other party.

Statute of Limitations for Burn Injury Lawsuits

Just as with other types of legal actions, there is a timeline you have to stick to in burn injury lawsuits. This is the statute of limitations.

Every state has a different deadline for filing personal injury claims. In California, for example, you would usually have two years to file a claim, while in Missouri, you would have five years.

Statutes of limitations serve to ensure that claims are brought forward in a timely manner and when evidence is still available. They help prevent the court system from getting overwhelmed with old cases. Keep in mind that if you miss the deadline, you may not be able to recover your losses.

There are exceptions to be aware of, too. Minors may have an extended amount of time to file, for instance.

What Can a Burn Injury Attorney Do for Me?

If you have a legitimate claim for a burn injury, such as from an Instant Pot explosion or an oilfield accident, a ConsumerShield lawyer will be able to thoroughly prepare for your case and fight for your claim. Your attorney will know how to deal with insurance companies, analyze the evidence, bring in relevant witnesses and experts, negotiate a settlement, etc.

How a Burn Injury Lawyer Strengthens Your Case

A burn injury lawyer can thoroughly investigate your case. They can consult expert witnesses who can provide testimonies to corroborate your claim. Your lawyer will also have the necessary experience to understand what evidence can make the most significant impact in your case.

One of the challenges of these claims is establishing exactly what your losses are. Some may be obvious, like your medical expenses, but if you can’t live your life the way you used to because of the burn injury, it can be tougher to put a number to that loss. With an attorney, you can get an accurate calculation of your damages.

Crucially, your lawyer can also fight all of the tactics that insurance companies may try when attempting to minimize your claim. But how do you find the right lawyer for your situation?

At ConsumerShield, we connect consumers like you with trusted local attorneys. Contact us to discover your options today.