Legally Reviewed by William Pemberton on September 30, 2026
A burn injury can turn your life upside down in an instant. The pain is severe, the healing process is long, and the costs can add up fast, from emergency care to surgeries to months of rehabilitation. If someone else’s negligence caused your burn, you shouldn’t have to carry that burden on your own.
Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm has helped injured people across Wisconsin get the compensation they deserve. With decades of combined experience and a track record that includes achieving a landmark jury verdict in a high-stakes personal injury case, our team knows what it takes to stand up for burn injury victims in Sun Prairie. We handle the legal fight so you can focus on healing.
https://youtu.be/pY0ZpodKuKc
How Do Burn Injuries Happen?
Burn injuries don’t just happen in house fires. They can occur in many types of accidents, often because of someone else’s careless actions. According to the American Burn Association, the CDC reported approximately 398,000 fire or burn-related injuries in the United States in 2021 alone.
Common causes that may give rise to a personal injury claim include:
- Vehicle accidents: Fuel ignition and explosions in car or truck crashes can cause severe burns to drivers and passengers.
- Defective products: Faulty appliances, electronics, or machinery can overheat, catch fire, or explode without warning.
- Dangerous workplaces: Inadequate safety measures around chemicals, electrical equipment, or open flames can put workers at serious risk.
- Negligent property maintenance: Poorly maintained heating systems, exposed wiring, or blocked emergency exits can lead to fires and burns on someone else’s property. If your injury occurred under these circumstances, our Sun Prairie premises liability lawyers can help you understand your legal options.
- Chemical and electrical exposure: Contact with hazardous substances or live electrical currents can cause deep-tissue damage, even without an open flame.
When a burn happens because of someone else’s negligence, the injured person may have grounds to pursue a legal claim. Our dedicated attorneys can also help if your injury occurred on someone else’s property.
What Kinds of Burn Injuries Can Lead to a Lawsuit?
Not all burns are the same. The severity of a burn plays a big role in the long-term impact on your life and the value of your legal claim.
First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin and typically heal without major medical intervention. Second-degree burns go deeper, causing blistering, significant pain, and a longer healing time. Third-degree burns destroy the full thickness of the skin and often require skin grafts, extended hospital stays, and ongoing care.
Third-degree burns and more severe cases can rise to the level of catastrophic injuries, permanently affecting a person’s ability to work, move, and live independently. Cases involving electrical burns or chemical exposure can also cause nerve damage and internal injuries that aren’t immediately visible.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Burn Injury?
If another party’s negligence caused your burn, you may be entitled to compensation for a wide range of losses. Every case is different, but the following types of damages are commonly pursued in burn injury claims:
- Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, surgeries, skin grafts, and hospital stays, both past and future
- Lost wages: Income you missed while unable to work during your healing period
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and emotional toll of your injuries
- Rehabilitation costs: Ongoing physical therapy, occupational therapy, and specialized care
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement: Burns can leave lasting physical changes that affect your quality of life
The goal is to make sure the full extent of your harm is accounted for, not just the bills you’ve already received.
What Is the Deadline to File a Burn Injury Claim in Wisconsin?
Time matters in a personal injury case. Typically, a lawsuit must be filed within 3 years from the date of the accident, and this time period generally applies to burn injury claims under Wisconsin law. However, exceptions and other details of your case may affect the deadline you have to file.
The sooner you speak with an attorney, the better. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance companies move quickly to protect their own interests. Getting legal guidance early puts you in a much stronger position.
Why Choose Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm for Your Burn Injury Case?
When you’re dealing with a burn injury, you need a team that truly has your back. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win your case. We believe everyone deserves access to experienced legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
We take the time to understand what you and your family have been through, and we fight to make sure you are treated fairly. Learn more about our commitment to clients through The Pemberton Promise.
Contact a Sun Prairie Burn Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been seriously burned because of another person’s or a company’s negligence, Pemberton Personal Injury is ready to help. We’ll listen to what happened, explain your options clearly, and stand by your side every step of the way.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Contact our office today to schedule your free case evaluation and speak with a member of our team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injury Claims in Wisconsin
What should I do after suffering a burn injury caused by someone else’s negligence?
Seek medical attention right away, even if the burn seems minor. Document the scene and your injuries with photographs if you are able to do so safely. Report the incident to the property owner, employer, or relevant authority, and ask for a written record. Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with an attorney. The steps you take in the days after a burn injury can have a significant impact on the strength of your legal claim.
How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law generally gives burn injury victims three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, you may lose the right to seek compensation entirely. However, certain circumstances can affect this deadline, so the best course of action is to consult with a burn injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury.
What is the difference between a first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burn for legal purposes?
The severity of a burn influences the value of a legal claim because it directly affects medical costs, recovery time, and long-term impact. First-degree burns typically involve minor medical care and shorter recovery. Second-degree burns often require more intensive treatment and may leave scarring. Third-degree burns frequently lead to skin grafts, extended hospitalization, and permanent disfigurement, making them more significant in calculating compensation for pain, suffering, and future care costs.
Can I recover compensation if a defective product caused my burn injury?
Yes. If a faulty appliance, electrical product, or piece of equipment caused your burn, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer. These cases can be complex because they require demonstrating that a defect existed and that the defect directly caused your injury. An attorney experienced with burn injury cases can help you investigate the product and identify all responsible parties.
Does Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm charge fees upfront for burn injury cases?
No. Our firm handles burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. There are no upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses for legal representation. This arrangement ensures that every injured person can access experienced legal help regardless of their current financial situation.
ABOUT THE ATTORNEY
William Pemberton
Personal Injury Attorney, Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm
William Pemberton is the founding attorney of Pemberton Personal Injury Law Firm, representing injured Wisconsinites across Madison, Eau Claire, Baraboo, Fitchburg, and Sun Prairie. He handles car accidents, motorcycle accidents, dog bites, brain injuries, and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis.
Schedule a Free Consultation
