Los Angeles Burn Injury Attorney

Burn Injury Lawyer Serving Los Angeles, Claremont, and Pasadena

There are few things as painful as a severe burn. When fires or explosions occur, the resulting injuries can be deadly. Should victims survive their burns, they often find themselves incapable of fully living the life they had before their accident. If such an accident is caused by another person’s carelessness or negligence, though, the victim may choose to seek legal action.

If a fire or explosion caused injury to you or a loved one, a Pasadena burn injury lawyer may be able to help. In the wake of a horrific accident, you need time to rest and recuperate. Let The Law Offices of Scott Glovsky take up your cause, allowing you to focus on healing. 

Call (626) 323-8351 or contact us online today to set up a free consultation and discover how we can ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible.

Page Contents:

• What is a Burn Injury?
• Common Types of Burn Injuries
• Common Causes of Burn Injuries
• FAQs About Burn Injury Claims in LA County
• Helping Los Angeles Burn Injury Victims Seek Compensation
• Consulting With a Los Angeles County Burn Injury Lawyer

What is a Burn Injury?

A burn injury is damage to the skin or other tissues caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. Burns can range from mild to life-threatening and may affect not only the outer skin but also deeper tissues such as muscles, bones, and blood vessels, depending on the severity. Burns often result in pain, swelling, blistering, and in severe cases, shock, infection, or permanent scarring.

Burns are categorized into the following degrees based on how deeply and severely they penetrate the skin layers:

• 1st-Degree Burn (Superficial): A first-degree burn affects only the outermost layer of skin, called the epidermis. It causes redness, mild pain, and swelling but usually heals within a few days without scarring.
• 2nd-Degree Burn (Partial Thickness): Second-degree burns damage both the epidermis and part of the dermis, the layer beneath. These burns are painful, often cause blisters, and may take weeks to heal, sometimes leaving scars.
• 3rd-Degree Burn (Full Thickness): A third-degree burn destroys the full thickness of the skin, reaching into the fat layer. The area may appear white, leathery, or charred and often feels numb due to nerve damage.
• 4th-Degree Burn: Fourth-degree burns go beyond the skin, affecting muscles, tendons, and even bones. These burns are life-threatening, usually painless at the site due to destroyed nerves, and require immediate medical and surgical treatment.

Common Types of Burn Injuries

Here are the common types of burn injuries:

• Thermal Burns: These occur from contact with a heat source such as flame, hot liquids (scalds), steam, or hot objects. They are the most common type of burn injury and vary in severity depending on exposure time and temperature.
• Chemical Burns: Caused by strong acids, alkalis, or corrosive substances such as bleach, ammonia, or industrial chemicals. These burns can continue to damage tissue until the chemical is removed or neutralized.
• Electrical Burns: Result from electric current passing through the body, often causing deep tissue damage under the skin. These burns may also affect the heart or brain, making them potentially life-threatening.
• Radiation Burns: Caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays (like from the sun) or other sources of radiation such as X-rays or radiation therapy. Sunburn is the most common example, but radiation therapy can cause more severe burns over time.
• Friction Burns: Occur when skin is rubbed against a rough surface, combining abrasion and heat damage. Common in road rash injuries or treadmill accidents.
• Cold Burns (Frostbite): Caused by prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures. This type of burn damages skin and underlying tissues, similar to thermal burns, but due to extreme cold.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Car, workplace, and aircraft accidents are some of the leading causes of burn injuries. Any time a collision involves flammable fluids like gasoline, fires can quickly break out and cause smoke inhalation, serious burns, and even death. In some cases, however, burn injuries are a direct result of someone’s negligence.

For example, if a driver fails to adequately maintain their vehicle and finds themselves in a car accident, the colliding vehicles can quickly go up in flames. Any resulting injuries and burns could be linked back to the at-fault driver’s failure to get their car inspected. If this effort is successful, that same driver could be held liable for costs associated with the victims’ medical bills.

Unfortunately, some burn injuries stem from intentional acts of violence. Even if a person is convicted in court of a criminal act, their victim is not guaranteed to be compensated for their damages. It is possible, however, for a supplementary lawsuit to be filed in civil court. There, victims may seek compensation from the person responsible for their burns.

FAQs About Burn Injury Claims in Los Angeles County

What should I do immediately after suffering a burn injury?

After a burn injury, seek immediate medical attention. Once you're safe, document the incident, preserve evidence (photos, witness information, damaged clothing or objects), and contact a personal injury attorney to evaluate your legal options.

Can I file a lawsuit for my burn injury?

Yes, if your burn injury was caused by someone else’s negligence—such as in a car accident, defective product, workplace accident, or landlord negligence—you may be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim.

Who can be held liable for my burn injury in Los Angeles County?

Potentially liable parties can include individuals (e.g., negligent drivers), employers, landlords, product manufacturers, property owners, or utility companies—depending on how and where the injury occurred.

What compensation can I receive for a burn injury claim?

Victims may recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, ongoing treatment, and in some cases, punitive damages.

Is there a time limit to file a burn injury claim in California?

Yes. In most cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit under California law. If a government agency is involved, the claim window is only six months.

How are burn injury cases different from other personal injury claims?

Burn injuries often require extensive medical treatment, surgeries, and emotional recovery. These claims typically involve higher compensation due to the long-term physical and psychological impact.

How much is my burn injury case worth?

The value depends on the severity of your injuries, the extent of liability, medical costs, lost wages, and long-term effects such as disfigurement or emotional trauma. An attorney can help estimate a fair case value.

Do I need a lawyer for a burn injury claim?

Working with a Los Angeles burn injury attorney greatly improves your chances of recovering maximum compensation, especially when dealing with insurance companies or complex liability issues.

Helping Los Angeles Burn Injury Victims Seek Compensation

While every case is different, burn victims frequently seek similar forms of compensation after their accident. Settlements often include the costs of:

• Skin graft operations and surgeries
• Hospital bills, and other medical expenses, such as prescription medication costs
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of earning capacity
• Lost income

Because burn accidents can vary dramatically from one case to the next, it is virtually impossible to speculate as to how much any given settlement could be worth. Victims should speak with a Los Angeles burn injury lawyer to get an idea of how much their case could be settled for. A confidential consultation can clarify a lot of the questions surrounding a potential lawsuit.

Consulting With a Los Angeles Burn Injury Lawyer

While it may be tempting to just put your accident behind you and move on, the reality is that burns can have a lifelong impact. By pursuing legal action, you not only hold the person responsible for your injuries accountable, but you can also ensure the best possible future for yourself and your loved ones.

Seek justice and hold the person responsible for your burns liable for their actions. Contact us today at (626) 323-8351 to set up a free consultation with a Los Angeles burn injury lawyer.