What happens if a burn injury was caused by negligence?

Doctor reviewing burn injury treatment plan with skin model and vials, representing medical care and legal claims for negligent burn injuries.

A burn injury can change your life in an instant. Beyond the pain and physical trauma, victims often face long hospital stays, permanent scarring, and emotional distress that can last a lifetime. When a burn occurs because someone else was careless, such as an employer, landlord, manufacturer, or driver, the law allows victims to seek financial recovery through a personal injury claim.

At Team Law, we help victims of all types of burn injuries, including catastrophic burns, to understand their legal options and fight for the compensation they need to rebuild their lives.

Understanding the Severity of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are classified into degrees based on how deep the damage goes:

First-degree burns affect only the top layer of skin and typically heal within a few days.
Second-degree burns penetrate deeper layers, often causing blistering, swelling, and significant pain.
Third-degree burns destroy all layers of skin and may affect tissue, muscles, and nerves.
Fourth-degree burns extend into bone and can be life-threatening.

While minor burns may heal with minimal treatment, catastrophic burns often require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and long-term rehabilitation. They can also result in nerve damage, mobility limitations, and lasting psychological trauma.

Common Causes of Negligent Burn Injuries

Serious burns can happen in almost any setting, but many occur because someone failed to follow safety rules or acted recklessly. Common causes include:

Workplace accidents, especially in construction, manufacturing, or food service
Defective products, such as faulty wiring, appliances, or vehicles
Vehicle collisions that result in fires or explosions
Chemical burns caused by unsafe handling or labeling
Building or apartment fires linked to code violations, electrical issues, or lack of smoke detectors
Scalding accidents, particularly in restaurants or hotels

When negligence is involved, the person or business responsible can be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages.

How Negligence Is Proven in Burn Injury Cases

To recover compensation after a burn, the victim must show that another party’s negligence caused the injury. This typically involves proving four key elements:

Duty of Care – The defendant had a legal obligation to act safely or prevent harm.
Breach of Duty – The defendant failed to meet that obligation.
Causation – That failure directly caused the accident or fire that led to the burn injury.
Damages – The victim suffered measurable losses, such as medical bills, pain, or lost income.

For example, if a landlord ignored repeated complaints about faulty wiring that later caused an apartment fire, that could be a clear breach of duty. Similarly, a manufacturer that released a product known to overheat could be found negligent if someone was burned using it.

The Long-Term Impact of Catastrophic Burn Injuries

The physical recovery from a burn is only one part of the challenge. Victims often face ongoing complications such as:

Chronic pain and nerve damage
Infections and prolonged hospital stays
Scarring or disfigurement that affects self-esteem
Emotional trauma, depression, or anxiety
Loss of mobility or function in affected limbs

These lasting effects can prevent a person from returning to work or enjoying daily activities, creating significant financial and emotional burdens.

Compensation Available in Burn Injury Claims

Because catastrophic burns often result in lifelong effects, compensation can cover much more than just initial medical bills. Victims may be entitled to damages for:

Medical expenses (including surgeries, skin grafts, and physical therapy)
Lost wages and loss of future earning potential
Pain and suffering
Disfigurement and emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Home modifications or long-term care needs

In tragic cases where a burn leads to death, surviving family members may also pursue a wrongful death claim to recover funeral expenses and loss of financial support.

Why Burn Injury Cases Require Skilled Legal Representation

Catastrophic burn cases are complex. They often involve multiple parties, such as product manufacturers, property owners, or contractors, and require expert testimony to establish liability. Insurance companies may try to downplay the severity of the injuries or argue that the victim shared some blame.

At Team Law, we work with medical professionals, fire investigators, and financial experts to build strong cases that reflect the true impact of the injury. We fight to ensure our clients are fully compensated for both current and future losses.

Steps to Take After a Burn Injury

If you’ve suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important to act quickly:

Seek immediate medical attention. Burns can worsen over time or lead to infection if untreated.
Report the incident. If the burn occurred at work or on someone else’s property, file a report as soon as possible.
Document the scene. Take photos of the area, defective product, or conditions that caused the burn.
Keep records. Save all medical bills, prescriptions, and employment records.
Contact an attorney. The sooner you speak with a lawyer, the sooner they can begin preserving evidence and protecting your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injury Claims

1. What if my burn injury happened at work?

You may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. However, if a third party like a subcontractor or manufacturer contributed to your injury, you may also have grounds for a separate personal injury claim.

2. How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in New Jersey?

In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. Some exceptions apply and time limits to file the appropriate Notice can be as short as 90 days, so it’s best to speak with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

3. Can I still recover damages if I was partially at fault?

Yes. Under New Jersey’s modified comparative negligence law, you can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 50% at fault for the accident.

4. How is the value of a burn injury claim determined?

Compensation depends on factors like the severity of the burn, long-term treatment costs, emotional trauma, and how the injury affects your ability to work or live independently.

Call Team Law for Experienced Burn Injury Representation in New Jersey

If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury caused by someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to face the recovery process alone. The attorneys at Team Law have decades of experience handling catastrophic injury claims throughout New Jersey, and we know how to hold negligent parties accountable.

We’ll investigate the cause of your injury, consult with medical experts, and fight to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call Team Law today at 732-896-2560 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. We proudly represent burn injury victims across New Jersey, including Clark, West New York, Paramus, and Paterson.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational purposes only and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. It should not be considered as legal advice. For personalized legal assistance, please consult our team directly.