How Burn Injuries Happen
Burn injuries can happen in many different ways. Some happen at work. Others happen because of unsafe property conditions, defective products, electrical hazards, chemical exposure, or vehicle fires.
Common causes of serious burn injuries include:
- Workplace fires and explosions
- House and apartment fires
- Unsafe wiring
- Defective appliances or products
- Chemical burns
- Electrical burns
- Car and truck accidents involving fire
- Scalding injuries from hot liquids or steam
Not every burn injury leads to a legal claim. But when someone else failed to act safely, there may be a case.
Who May Be Liable for a Burn Injury?
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there were an estimated 13,350 civilian fire injuries in the United States in 2023, and many of those injuries were tied to preventable conditions that others had a duty to address. Liability depends on how the burn happened and who caused the unsafe condition.
A burn injury claim may involve:
- A property owner
- A landlord
- A driver
- A product manufacturer
- An employer
- A third party at a job site
For example, a property owner may be responsible for failing to fix a known fire hazard. A manufacturer may be responsible for a defective product. A negligent driver may be responsible for a crash that caused a fire or explosion.
If the burn happened at work, a separate third-party liability claim may still be available even if workers’ compensation applies.
Types of Burn Injuries
Not all burns are the same. The depth of the burn can affect treatment, healing, and the long-term impact on your life.
Burns are commonly described this way:
- First-degree burns: Affect only the outer layer of skin
- Second-degree burns: Go deeper and often cause blisters, swelling, and significant pain
- Third-degree burns: Destroy all layers of the skin and may require skin grafts or specialized care
- Fourth-degree burns: Extend into deeper tissue like muscle or bone
Burn injuries can also become more serious when they affect the face, hands, feet, joints, or airways, or when they cover a large area of the body.
The Lasting Impact of a Serious Burn
A severe burn can affect much more than the skin. Burn victims may face:
- Multiple surgeries
- Skin grafts
- Infection risks
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Chronic pain
- Reduced mobility
- Emotional trauma
- Anxiety or depression
Some people recover in months. Others need ongoing treatment and support for years. That is why a burn injury claim should account for both the immediate harm and the long-term effects.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A burn injury claim may include compensation for:
- Emergency medical care
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Skin grafts
- Rehabilitation
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In some cases involving especially wrongful conduct, punitive damages may also be pursued under Wisconsin law, but they are not available in every case.
What To Do After a Burn Injury
The steps you take after a serious burn can affect both your health and your legal claim.
Get Medical Care Right Away
Serious burns need immediate treatment. Prompt medical care protects your health and creates a clear record of the injury.
Preserve Evidence
If you can do so safely, keep anything that may help show what happened, including:
- Photos of the scene
- Photos of the burn
- Damaged clothing
- The product involved
- Witness information
- Incident reports
Be Careful With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may move quickly after a serious accident. Be careful about recorded statements or quick settlement offers before you know the full extent of your injuries.
Talk to a Burn Injury Lawyer
Burn injury cases can be complex. A lawyer can help investigate the cause, identify who may be responsible, preserve evidence, and deal with the insurance companies for you.
How Long Do You Have To File a Claim in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, the general deadline for most personal injury claims is three years from the date of injury. Some exceptions can apply depending on the situation, and waiting too long can make it harder to preserve evidence and protect your rights.
Why Choose Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm?
At Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm, we help injured people in Baraboo and across Wisconsin stand up to insurance companies after serious accidents.
We investigate what happened, identify who may be responsible, gather the evidence needed to support the claim, and prepare every case as if it is going to trial. That matters because insurance companies know which firms are ready to fight. We do not get paid unless you do.
Contact a Baraboo Burn Injury Lawyer Today
A serious burn can turn your life upside down. You should not have to handle the legal and financial stress on your own.
If you suffered a burn injury in Baraboo or the surrounding area because of someone else’s negligence, Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm is here to help. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
