How Much Compensation Is A Burn Injury Claim?

Compensation for a burn injury may vary, depending on how severe the injuries are and how they affect the victim’s life. Several key factors influence the value of your potential compensation, including:

Each burn injury case is unique, so there is no exact formula to calculate the potential value of a settlement. Treatment is often urgent and costly, and the effects can last a lifetime. Compensation may go beyond covering medical bills and lost wages. It also accounts for the long-term impact on the victim’s life.

If you or a loved one suffered burn injuries, AK Law can help estimate your losses and explain your legal options. You may be looking for free injury lawyer advice. Our firm offers free initial consultations to injury victims to help address questions and concerns. Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a meeting.

How Much Can I Get For A Burn Injury Claim?

Though there’s no guarantee that you’ll “get” anything when pursuing compensation, the value of burn injury cases varies significantly based on medical expenses, recovery time, lost wages, and long-term effects on daily activities. A settlement depends on the depth and extent of the burns, required medical treatment, surgeries, rehabilitation, lost wages, and how the injury affects the future ability to work and enjoy life. Pain, emotional trauma, and permanent scarring may impact your potential payout.

You don’t have to wonder what your case may be worth, because our team can provide an estimate based on the details you share with us. Our team at Arash Law is committed to helping injured clients throughout California seek compensation in accordance with the law. We can help determine the potential value of your claim and assist you in pursuing compensation based on your actual losses through the legal process.

Call (888) 488-1391 for a free initial consultation. You don’t pay for legal services unless we recover compensation for you. Please note that certain case-related costs may still apply regardless of the outcome. Our attorneys will explain our fee structure and all potential costs during your free case review.

Compensation for burn injuries varies according to medical costs, recuperation time, lost wages, and the impact of the injury on your quality of life and future earning capacity. Each case is unique, and with many settlements remaining confidential, it is difficult to determine an average claim amount. Nevertheless, we can assess some potential expenses related to these injuries.

A study found that treating burn injuries can be substantial. It also showed that flame burns often result in higher medical bills. Several main factors affect the total cost of treatment, including:

• Burn Size — Medical professionals usually measure how much of the body has sustained burns as a percentage of the total body surface area (TBSA). For instance, burns covering over 10% of the body require specialized treatment, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
• Length of Stay — The number of days the patient remains in the hospital.
• Ventilator Use — This refers to how many days the patient needs help breathing with a machine, especially if they have inhalation injuries.
• Medical Procedures — The total number of surgeries or treatments needed during recovery. For instance, the average cost of autografting is around $157,000. Autografting is a treatment that uses the patient’s own skin to cover deep burns that can’t heal on their own.

However, burn injury claims don’t just cover medical bills. As discussed, they may include lost wages and other damages the victim suffered, depending on the specifics of the circumstances. Personal injury lawyers can estimate the potential worth of your case based on your injury’s severity, time missed from work, and how the burn affects your life.

Factors That Can Affect Compensation For Burn Injury Claims

Recovering from a burn injury often requires significant time, money, and long-term care. Here are the factors that may influence the potential value of your burn injury claim:

The Severity Of The Burn Injury

Medical professionals classify burns by how deep they go into the skin. This classification helps estimate treatment needs, long-term impact, and how much compensation might be available in a personal injury claim.

• First-Degree Burns — Affect only the outer skin (epidermis).
  • Skin may appear red, dry, and painful, with peeling as it heals.
  • The fact that these burns may heal quickly without causing long-term harm may be taken into consideration when evaluating a case.
• Second-Degree Burns — Damage both the outer and lower layers (epidermis and dermis).
  • These burns may blister, swell, and appear red, brown, or wet. Healing may take weeks.
  • Factors such as scarring, required medical treatment, or time away from work are considered when evaluating burn injury cases.
• Third-Degree Burns — Reach deeper layers under the skin (hypodermis).
  • The skin may look white, leathery, or charred. Pain might not be felt at first due to nerve damage.
  • These injuries often require skin grafts, surgery, or long-term care, which may result in higher medical bills, lost income, and pain & suffering.
• Fourth-Degree Burns — The most severe.
  • These burns may affect muscles, tendons, and bones. They often cause permanent disability or death.
  • Claims involving fourth-degree burns can be complex cases that require thorough evaluation, especially when the injury causes long-term disability or impacts your ability to work or care for yourself.
  • If the victim dies, their loved ones may file a wrongful death claim to pursue compensation for their losses, subject to eligibility.

Burn injuries often leave injury victims to deal with significant consequences. If you have questions about your case, consulting a burn injury attorney may provide you with clarity. They’ll assess your situation, discuss your options, and help you understand the legal process.

Medical Expenses And Future Treatments

Burn injury care can be costly. When assessing damages, burn injury lawyers take these expenses into account, including:

• Emergency care and hospital stays.
• Prescription medication and follow-ups.
• Doctor visits and specialized care.

You may also need:

• Skin grafts are used to replace damaged tissue.
• Infection treatment requires hospitalization and antibiotics.
• Reconstructive surgery for disfigurement or function.
• Physical therapy to restore movement and strength.

Long-term care, multiple surgeries, or cosmetic procedures can significantly raise medical costs.

Lost Income And Future Earning Capacity

Severe burns may keep you out of work for weeks, months, or even permanently. Lawyers can help identify potential damages that may include:

• Lost Wages — Income lost from the time of injury until you return to work or settle the case.
  Example: If you earn $1,000 per week and miss 12 weeks, you lose $12,000.If you own a business, the calculation may be different. In that case, injury attorneys may look at how much money your business earned before the injury.
• Loss of Earning Capacity — Income you can no longer earn due to your injuries.
  • Example: A construction worker who loses hand mobility may not return to their former job.

Burn injury attorneys compare your pre-injury potential with your post-injury capabilities to estimate future losses.

Impact On Quality Of Life

Burn victims may require cosmetic surgery or other treatments to enhance their movement or appearance. Burns may result in:

• Visible scars.
• Emotional trauma.
• Difficulty interacting socially or returning to work.

If burns affect your face, hands, or a part of the body critical to your job, you may be able to pursue additional compensation for pain, disfigurement, and reduced quality of life.

Example: In 2020, a Postmates driver suffered a serious burn from a spilled hot drink at a Starbucks drive-thru. The burn affected a sensitive area of his body, which caused a lasting injury that changed his health and personal life. In this case, the driver sought compensation through a lawsuit.

To support your claim, burn accident lawyers may gather:

• Medical records and treatment reports.
• Photos of the injuries.
• Witness statements or therapist notes.
• Work and income documentation.

These pieces of evidence can show how the injury has affected the victim’s life and may potentially impact it in the future.

Liability And Insurance Coverage

To pursue compensation in a burn injury case, it’s crucial to demonstrate that another person or party was legally at fault. You may ask, “How does liability affect the value of a burn injury claim?” It depends on the specific details of the case. In California, you may still be able to seek damages even if you are partly at fault.

Insurance coverage also plays a role:

• The at-fault party’s liability insurance limits.
• Your own underinsured/uninsured motorist policy.
• Other applicable commercial or homeowner policies.

Establishing liability and navigating insurance coverage can be complicated, especially when multiple parties or policies are involved. A burn injury attorney can investigate who may be responsible, identify potential avenues for compensation, and help you build a claim that meets legal requirements. Whether the at-fault party has limited insurance or you need to explore your own coverage, a lawyer can help you build a case and manage important deadlines.

Different Burn Injuries Covered In Claims

Burns can happen in many ways. In the U.S., burns cause many unintentional deaths and injuries. Each year, more than 398,000 people receive medical treatment for burns, as reported by the American Burn Association (ABA). Some occur accidentally at home, while others happen because someone was careless or a product was faulty.

Severe burns can have life-altering consequences, resulting in ongoing physical and mental health challenges. Here are some common types of burn injuries found in legal claims:

• Thermal Burns — These are caused by:
  • Flames from fires or explosions.
  • Hot liquids, like boiling water or grease.
  • Steam from cooking or industrial processes.

  For example, a person might get a thermal burn if a defective toaster causes a fire. This injury could potentially result in a product liability claim.

• Radiation Burns — These come from too much exposure to things like X-rays or the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. For example, if a worker is not given proper protection from radiation at their job, they could get radiation burns. Work injury lawyers can support victims if the incident happened on the job.
• Chemical Burns — These happen when strong acids, cleaners, or solvents touch the skin or eyes. For example, workplace accidents can occur when workers handle hazardous substances without proper protective equipment, causing injuries like chemical burns.
• Electrical Burns — These are caused by contact with electrical currents. For example, faulty wiring in a building or defective electrical equipment can cause electrical burns. Electrocution accident lawyers can support victims in demonstrating negligence in these cases.

Steps To Take After A Burn Injury

A personal injury, especially a serious burn, can make a significant impact on your health and overall quality of life. Taking certain steps after an injury can assist in building a thorough case and demonstrating the extent of your losses. Consider taking the following steps after a burn injury:

• Collect Detailed Medical Records — Keeping detailed records helps create a clear timeline of how your injury has affected your daily life and work. It also shows your commitment to recovery, especially if you sought medical attention promptly. Gather complete and accurate medical records, such as:
  • Doctor and hospital visits.
  • Details about the burns (location, severity, and treatment).
  • Ongoing symptoms or impairments.
• Calculate the Full Cost of Your Damages — Think beyond medical bills. Burns can cause long-term problems that affect your ability to work or require job retraining. Be sure to include:
  • Long-term treatment and pain management costs.
  • Equipment or supplies needed for wound care.
  • Missed wages or job loss.
  • The cost of switching careers due to injury.
  • Costs of transportation to and from medical appointments.
  • Payments for in-home assistance or personal care services.
• Avoid Settling Too Quickly — A quick settlement may seem like a great way to resolve your claim quickly. However, this initial offer may fail to account for your ongoing and current accident-related expenses. Additionally, some burn injuries need extended time to heal, making it difficult to fully assess damages early in the process. An experienced burn injury attorney can help you assess whether the settlement offer is sufficient to cover your actual losses and help you make informed decisions about your case.
• Consult Attorneys for Burn Injuries — Burn injury lawyers can handle these complex cases on your behalf. They can help you build a claim that reflects the full extent of your losses. A lawyer can support you by:
  • Assessing the validity of your claim.
  • Identifying who may be liable for your injuries.
  • Gathering crucial evidence to help you establish liability.
  • Estimating your losses.
  • Handling negotiations with other parties.
  • Representing you in court, if necessary.

Deadline For Filing Burn Injury Claims

Each state has its own rules, so the time limit might be different depending on where the injury happened. The deadline depends on the statute of limitations in your state. In California, if you suffer a burn injury and want to file a lawsuit, you usually have two years from the date of the incident to do so.

However, if your claim is against a government agency, it’s essential to file a special notice of claim within six months of the incident. If you don’t file your claim within these legal time limits, you could lose the chance to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. A personal injury attorney can help you understand the timeframes that may apply to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Compensation For Burn Injury Claims

Many burn injury victims share the same concerns about seeking compensation. Our personal injury attorneys have answered some of the most common legal questions on this topic. For questions about specific situations, feel free to contact us directly.

How Much Compensation Is A Burn Injury Claim?

Burn injury compensation varies widely based on how serious the burns are, how much of the body is affected, and how the injury impacts your daily life and ability to work.

Minor burns may result in lower settlements, especially if they heal quickly and don’t leave lasting damage. More severe burns that require surgery, long-term treatment, or result in scarring, disability, or job loss may affect how a claim is evaluated. However, it’s important to note that injuries aren’t the only factor that affects compensation.

A personal injury lawyer can help assess your losses and pursue compensation allowed under California law.

Who Should Be Responsible For The Damages After A Burn Injury?

If someone’s careless or harmful actions caused your burn injury, they may be held legally responsible. Different individuals or parties could be at fault, depending on how the injury happened. What matters most is showing that someone else’s actions caused your injury.

Some examples of people or parties who might be held responsible include:

• Manufacturers of dangerous or defective products.
• Construction companies that don’t follow safety rules.
• Property owners who don’t address fire hazards or unsafe conditions.
• Employers who don’t provide proper training or safety equipment.
• Landlords who ignore fire safety issues in rental homes.
• Drivers involved in a car or truck accident that caused the burn injury.

If you’re not sure who might be at fault in your situation, Arash Law’s personal injury lawyers can help investigate and find out.

What Legal Theories Apply To Burn Injury Cases?

There are legal doctrines that may apply to burn injury claims. Here are some of them:

• Negligence — Most burn injury cases arise from negligence. To establish negligence, it’s crucial to demonstrate the following:
  • The person or company that caused the injury has a legal duty to keep you safe.
  • They failed to meet that duty.
  • Their actions caused the accident that led to your burn injury.
  • You suffered real harm or losses because of the accident, warranting damages.
• Strict Liability — Strict liability applies in certain cases, especially when a defective product causes an injury. You do not have to prove that anyone was careless. You only need to show:
  • The product was defective even though you used it properly.
  • The defect caused your injury.

  For example, a brand-new pressure cooker explodes while cooking, even though you followed the instructions. If you sustained burn injuries, the company that made the product could face liability.

• Premises Liability — This applies when a burn injury happens on someone else’s property. The owner may be held responsible if they do not keep the place safe. For example, if you rent a vacation home and the hot water is too hot with no warning, the owner could be held accountable under premises liability laws.
• Intentional Torts — Intentional torts happen when someone hurts you on purpose. For example, if a person throws boiling water on you during a fight and you suffer burns, they could be held legally responsible for purposely causing your injury.

The type of legal rule that applies to your case depends on how your burn injury happened. A skilled personal injury lawyer can look at the details of your situation and work to help you pursue accountability against the liable parties for the harm they caused.

What Kinds Of Challenges Could I Face In A Burn Injury Claim?

Like other legal cases, burn injury claims can come with challenges. Here are some of them:

• Determining Who Is Responsible — Identifying potentially liable parties is not often straightforward. In some cases, it can be challenging. It could be a product manufacturer, a property owner, or a person who acted carelessly. When many people or companies are involved, it can take time to show who is at fault clearly.
• Estimating Your Damages — Some damages are easy to estimate. Others, like emotional distress or loss of enjoyment of life, can be challenging to quantify. These non-economic damages often require supporting evidence such as medical records, expert testimony, or written statements. An experienced personal injury attorney can assess the full impact of your injury and identify all the types of compensation you may pursue under the law. A lawyer can help in addressing the legal aspects of your claim.
• Dealing With Insurance Companies — Insurance companies review claims carefully and may examine the circumstances to determine liability and the extent of coverage. Our attorneys can assist with communications and negotiations throughout the claims process.

If you find yourself thinking, “Do I need a personal injury lawyer to overcome these challenges?” Generally, it can be beneficial to seek legal advice. Lawyers handling personal injury cases can guide you through these complex situations. They can help you identify who may be responsible for your injury, estimate your damages, and manage communication with the insurance company for you.

Contact Our Burn Injury Lawyers To Explore Your Legal Options

The burn injury lawyers at AK Law can evaluate your claim, gather evidence, and advocate for compensation based on your injuries and losses. Our team, which includes car accident lawyers and other personal injury attorneys, serves clients from diverse backgrounds, regardless of their self-identity, religion, or immigration status. If you would like to discuss your case in a language other than English, just let us know.

Our injury law firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay lawyer’s fees unless your case results in a settlement or a verdict. Other case-related costs may still apply, regardless of the outcome. If your injuries prevent you from visiting us, we can meet with you at a location of your choosing. To schedule a free initial consultation, call us at (888) 488-1391.