Burn Injury Lawyer
Compensation for Burns, Scarring, and Disfigurement in California
Serious burns are among the most painful injuries a person can suffer — and the treatment, scarring, and emotional impact can last a lifetime. If a negligent driver, property owner, or defective product caused your burns, you may be entitled to full compensation.
Burn cases require careful documentation of both the medical reality — surgeries, skin grafts, infection risk, rehabilitation — and the lasting toll of permanent scarring and disfigurement. With over $1 billion recovered, Frank Penney Injury Law fights to make sure both are fully valued.
Understanding Burn Severity
The degree of a burn drives both the medical treatment required and the value of the claim.
First Degree
Affects the outer skin layer — redness and pain that usually heals without scarring.
Second Degree
Reaches deeper layers, causing blistering and potential scarring; often requires medical care.
Third Degree
Destroys the full thickness of skin, frequently requiring skin grafts and leaving permanent damage.
Fourth Degree
Extends into muscle, tendon, or bone — catastrophic injuries that can be life-threatening.
When Negligence Causes Burns
Many severe burns are caused by someone else's carelessness — a fire after a car or truck collision, a defective product or appliance, an electrical or chemical hazard, scalding liquids, or unsafe conditions on a property.
Identifying every responsible party — a driver, a manufacturer, a property owner, or a contractor — is critical to maximizing your recovery. See how we value catastrophic injury cases.
Damages We Pursue
- Emergency and ongoing medical care
- Skin grafts and reconstructive surgery
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Psychological and emotional harm
- Pain and suffering
Burn Injury FAQs
How much compensation can I get for a burn injury in California?
Burn injury compensation depends on the degree and extent of the burns, treatment costs (including skin grafts and reconstructive surgery), permanent scarring and disfigurement, lost income, and pain and suffering. Severe burns covering large areas can support substantial claims because of the lifelong impact and extensive treatment involved.
Can I recover compensation for scarring and disfigurement?
Yes. California allows recovery for permanent scarring and disfigurement as non-economic damages, separate from your medical bills. Visible scarring, especially on the face or hands, and the emotional and psychological impact it causes are compensable.
What causes most serious burn injuries?
Common causes include vehicle fires after collisions, defective products and appliances, electrical accidents, chemical exposure, scalding liquids, and unsafe property conditions. When another party's negligence caused the burn, you may have a claim.
How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in California?
You generally have two years from the date of injury under California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1, with shorter deadlines for claims against government entities. It is best to consult an attorney promptly while evidence is fresh.