Burn Injury Lawsuits in California

Burn injuries are one of the most severe injuries you can ever sustain. They will typically require an extended stay in the hospital, surgery, and long-term care in a burn center for specialized treatment.

If you or a family member has sustained burn injuries due to negligence or a wrongful act, remember that you might be entitled to receive compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and physical and mental suffering. This potential for compensation can provide a sense of hope and reassurance about your future.

If you sustained a burn injury due to negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation.

At Injury Justice Law Firm, our Los Angeles burn injury lawyers have extensive experience and have successfully helped numerous individuals recover damages for severe burns and other catastrophic injuries. We are well-equipped to handle even the most complex burn injury cases, providing you with the confidence that your case is in capable hands.

While burn injuries are some of the most severe and painful injuries a person can suffer, it's important to remember that you are not alone. Unfortunately, they are also quite common, accounting for more than 416,000 emergency room visits annually. This shared experience can provide a sense of understanding and solidarity during a challenging time.

Burn injuries can occur in various ways, such as car accidents, house fires, product defects, construction accidents, and electrical accidents. As noted, they often result in long-term physical and emotional damage.

If you or someone you love has suffered a burn injury due to someone else's negligence, you may be eligible for compensation under California's personal injury laws. An experienced burn injury lawyer can help you understand your legal options and seek maximum compensation, empowering you with the knowledge and support you need during this difficult time.

What Are the Types of Burn Injuries?

There are several categories of burns, each caused by a different type of energy:

Thermal burns occur when the skin comes into contact with hot liquids, gases, or objects. They are the most common type of burn, accounting for about 86% of all severe cases.
Chemical burns: Occur when the skin comes into contact with strong acids or bases, such as household chemicals or chemicals at work. They can cause severe damage to the skin and underlying tissue.
Electrical burns occur when the body comes into contact with an electrical current. They can damage the skin, muscles, and nerves.
Radiation burns: Occur when the body is exposed to excess radiation, whether from UV rays from the sun (i.e., sunburn), overexposure to X-rays, or exposure to radioactive elements.
Explosions that can occur in motor vehicle crashes or workplace accidents.

What is the Severity of Burns?

Burn injuries are also classified by their severity, as discussed below.

First-Degree Burns: These burns only affect the outer layer of skin (epidermis). They are typically not severe and will heal independently within a few days.
Second-degree burns damage the outer layer of skin and the layer of tissue below it (dermis). They can be pretty painful and typically require medical treatment to manage the pain and prevent infection.
Third-Degree Burns: These burns damage all layers of the skin and the tissue below it. They are frequently life-threatening and require immediate medical treatment. They can also cause permanent damage and may require surgery to repair.

Some medical professionals use additional categories to specify injuries that burn into ligaments, tendons, muscles, bones, or internal organs.

Complications of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries range widely in severity, from mild first-degree burns to life-threatening third-degree burns. The nature of the burn, as well as its location, often determines the complications and challenges a victim might face:

Physical Pain and Limitations: Burns frequently cause severe pain that can persist long after the initial injury. Victims may experience restricted mobility due to tissue damage, especially if large areas of the body are affected. Burns can also cause serious, long-term scarring and disfigurement.
Risk of Infection and Other Health Issues: Burn injuries damage the skin, which is the body's first line of defense against bacteria. This makes infection a serious risk. Additionally, severe burns can lead to complications like respiratory issues from smoke inhalation or failure of organs affected by electrical burns, leading to amputation or even death if not controlled.
Emotional and Psychological Effects: The psychological toll of burn injuries is often just as significant as the physical damage. Scarring and disfigurement can deeply affect self-esteem and emotional well-being. Many victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, or anxiety as they cope with the changes in their lives.
Financial Strain: The costs associated with treating burn injuries can be staggering. Between surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, and medications, medical bills quickly add up. Victims who are unable to return to work may also face a loss of income, creating additional financial challenges for their families.

What Are the Ongoing Complications?

Burns don't always heal quickly, but while each patient may experience a different outcome, some common ongoing complications from burn injury cases include the following.

Infection and sepsis;
Breathing issues from lung damage;
Scars that require skin graft and surgery;
Joint issues, such as tendons and ligaments;
Organ failure;
Psychological, such as mental and emotional issues.

The treatment costs for burn injuries are often substantial because of the ongoing complications for a victim.

Causes of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can result from a wide range of accidents, often occurring when safety measures are neglected or products fail. Below are some of the most common situations leading to burn injuries:

Vehicle accidents: Car, motorcycle, and truck accidents frequently lead to fires or explosions, causing burns. Flammable materials like gasoline and hot engine components pose a significant risk in high-impact crashes. Passengers trapped during a collision are particularly vulnerable to severe and life-threatening burns.
Product defects: Defective products, especially household appliances or electrical devices, can spark fires or overheat, causing severe burns to users. Faulty batteries or components can result in catastrophic injuries, and in these cases, manufacturers may be held liable for the harm caused.
Workplace accidents: Certain industries, such as construction and manufacturing, carry heightened risks for burn injuries. Workers may encounter exposed wiring, live electrical currents, or chemical spills, leading to electrical or chemical burns. Employers who fail to enforce safety protocols or provide proper equipment put workers in danger.
Premises Liability Accidents: Unsafe conditions on residential or commercial properties can also lead to burn injuries. Examples include fires caused by poorly maintained electrical systems, lack of fire safety equipment, or chemical hazards. Property owners have a legal duty of care to ensure their premises are safe, and failure to do so can result in accidents.

Regardless of the cause, understanding how a burn injury occurred is essential in determining whether negligence played a role and who may be held accountable.

Who Is Liable for a Burn Injury?

If you have been injured in a burn accident caused by someone else's negligence, California law holds the negligent person liable to compensate you for your injuries and losses. Multiple careless persons or entities might contribute to a serious burn injury.

Experienced lawyers who have handled burn injury cases know what to prove and how to provide proper documentation and evidence to demonstrate fault.

Depending on the circumstances and the cause of the burn, your personal injury attorney may file a claim against any of the following parties who may be liable:

The at-fault driver in an accident: If you suffered burns in a car accident, the driver at fault should cover the cost of treatment for those burns and any other injuries you sustained. The trucking company might also share some liability if the vehicle were a truck.
Product manufacturers: If a defective product injures you, the manufacturer may be liable for your injuries, including burns. Likewise, the automobile manufacturer may be responsible if you're burned in a car wreck caused by design or parts defects.
Property owners: If you were injured in a fire occurring on another person's property, that person might be liable based on the principle of premises liability.
Employers: If you were burned on the job, your employer's workers' compensation insurance typically covers the employer's share of liability for your injuries.

Proving Liability for Burn Injuries

Suppose you have suffered a burn injury due to another party's negligence. In that case, determining liability is a vital step in pursuing compensation, which is why we spend lots of time and resources investigating the incident. The process generally involves establishing that another person or entity failed in their duty of care, which in turn led to your injury.

Identifying Negligence

Negligence can take many forms. For example, a property owner may fail to address fire hazards on their premises, or a manufacturer may release a product with dangerous defects. To prove negligence, we must show that:

The responsible party owed you a duty of care (e.g., a manufacturer must produce safe products).
They breached this duty of care through actions or inaction.
Their breach directly caused the burn injury.
You suffered damages, such as medical costs or lost income, as a result.

Collecting Evidence

Strong evidence is key to proving liability in a burn injury case. Examples of evidence in a burn injury case may include:

Photographs of the accident site or defective products.
Medical records detailing the severity of your injuries.
Witness statements from individuals who observed the incident.
Expert testimony from specialists in fire safety, medicine, or product design.

Damages You May Recover

Suffering a burn injury can be one of the most painful and life-altering experiences someone can face. For victims and their families, the physical pain is often devastating, often accompanied by overwhelming emotional and financial challenges. From the initial shock to the long recovery, burn injuries leave scars that go far beyond the surface.

At the Injury Justice Law Firm, we understand the toll this kind of injury can take on your life. If your burn injury occurred due to someone else's negligence, California law says you may be eligible for compensation to help you on your road to recovery.

If you prove another party's liability for your burn injuries, you may recover damages for your economic and non-economic losses. These may include:

Medical expenses related to the treatment of your burn injuries (present and future),
Lost wages (present and future) if your injuries prevent you from working or result in a reduction in earnings,
Pain and suffering,
Emotional distress,
Loss of consortium if your spouse or partner suffers a loss of companionship or intimacy as a result of your injuries,
Wrongful death damages if you lose a loved one in a burn accident.

Our law firm has a record of success in recovering damages for burned people due to negligence or wrongful conduct. You must retain an attorney who can handle complex injury cases to obtain your entitled compensation. Our law firm is located in Los Angeles, and we offer a free case evaluation.

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