Burn Injury Claims for Compensation 

Burn injury claims often arise as the result of many different types of accidents. When people think about burn injuries, they often think about fires; however, there are many other types of accidents which may result in burns and scald injuries. Some burn injuries can be severe, with many resulting in permanent scarring and long term skin and tissue damage. If you suffered a burn injury as the result of an accident which was not your fault, you may be able to make a burn injury compensation claim.

Accidents That May Result in Burn Injury Claims

Beacon Law have dealt with many burn injury compensation claims which were the result of many different accident types. There are a number of everyday scenarios which could result in a victim sustaining a serious burn injury as the result of someone else’s negligence. Some of the most common types of burn accidents are listed below:

• Burn injury accidents at work due to defective equipment resulting in electrical burns.
• Chemical burn injuries at work, for example, in a warehouse or factory, as the result of improper storage of dangerous substances, insufficient training, or a lack of PPE.
• Burn injuries to staff working in food establishments due to a lack of training, faulty cooking equipment, or unsafe practices at work.
• Burn injuries to staff in canteens or break rooms due to faulty equipment, such as coffee machines, kettles or toasters.
• Burn injuries in rented homes home due to electrical faults or defective electrical equipment.
• Burn injuries at home due to defective electrical or cooking products.
• Burn injuries at restaurants or coffee shops due to staff negligence resulting in spillages, or lids coming off coffee cups etc.
• Burn injuries may also be sustained in serious road traffic accidents.

If you sustained a burn injury in an accident which has not been listed above, you may still be able claim compensation for a burn injury.

Types of Burn Injury

There are different types of burn injury which are categorised according to the severity and depth of the injury.

First-degree burns

First-degree burns are the least severe and only affect the top layer of skin, also known as the epidermis. This type of burn is commonly caused by scalding from hot water or steam.

They may not require urgent medical attention, however, they can cause pain, discomfort and sometimes there may be some complications, such as infection.

Second-degree burns

These types of burns are a bit more serious and affect the top two layers of skin. Nerve endings, sweat glands and blood vessels may be damages as a consequence of a second degree burn. Skin may become blistered and red.

Third-degree burns

Third-degree burns are a severe type of burn in which all three layers of skin become damaged.

Recovery from this type of burn will usually take a long time, and permanent scarring or disability may result. Hospitalisation and surgery, such as a skin graft may be required to treat this type of burn.

Fourth-degree burns

Fourth degree burns are less common, however, they are the most severe type of burn injury and may cause damage to the tendons, muscles and bones. Damage to nerve ends can cause loss of sensation, and will require medical treatment such as grafting, surgery, or even amputation.

Quite often, fourth degree burns will be life-changing, and in some cases, they may result in death.

Am I Entitled to Make a Burn Injury Claim?

Most accidents resulting in burn injuries are preventable and may not have happened if appropriate measures had been set in place to prevent accidents. If reasonable steps had not been taken by the person or organisation responsible for your injury, you may be able to make a claim for a burn injury as we may be able to prove that they had been negligent, and that their negligence resulted in your accident and subsequent injury.

What Should I do After Sustaining a Burn Injury?

If your burn injury happened at work, you should report the accident to a supervisor or manager and ensure that the incident has been logged appropriately in an accident report book. If the burn accident did not happen in work, you should report the incident to the person or company who you believe is responsible, for example, if it happened in a restaurant, you should report it to the management.

You should seek appropriate medical attention for your injury from a GP or hospital. If the burn injury is severe, seek urgent attention at hospital. Take photographs of your injury as soon as it happens and take photos to document your recovery and any resulting scarring.

Keep receipts for any medical treatment which you have had to pay for so that you can recover the expenses if you decide to make a claim.

If you would like to make a claim, or if you would like to discuss the claim process with a personal injury solicitor, contact Beacon Law today using the contact forms on our website, or call us on 0330 1332 857.

You should be aware that there is a strict time limit of 3 years from the date of the accident for making a personal injury claim. This can be extended in special circumstances; however, we would advise that you start your claim as early as possible to avoid your claim becoming statute barred.

How Much is My Burn Injury Claim Worth?

The amount of compensation you receive will be split into two sections: general damages and special damages. General damage refers to the compensation payment you will receive for the pain suffering and loss of amenity you sustained as the result of your injuries. The amount of general damages compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries, the amount of time it will take for you to recover from your injuries, and the extent of any scarring. The body part affected will also be taken into consideration when calculating a valuation of your injuries.

Special damages refers to any additional financial losses incurred, such as care and assistance, travel expenses, loss of earnings and treatment costs.

We will negotiate a settlement with the Defendant based on our valuation of your injuries and special damages.

How Long Will the It Take to Settle My Burn Injury Claim?

The amount of time taken to settle a burn injury claim will depend on many different aspects and complexities within the case, making it difficult to estimate how long it will take to settle. The majority of cases can last anywhere from six months to 2-3 years to settle. Less complex claims, with less severe injuries, usually take less time to settle.

Can I Make a Burn Injury Claim for My Child?

Yes, it is possible to make a personal injury claim for a child. In such cases, a parent or guardian can make a claim on behalf of the child, and any compensation awarded will be held in a trust for the benefit of the child until they reach the age of 18. The person making the claim on behalf of the child will be known as the “litigation friend.”

It is important to note that, in the case of a child, the three-year time limit for making a personal injury claim does not start until the child’s 18th birthday. This means that a claim can be made at any time before the child’s 21st birthday.

When making a claim for a child, it is important to seek legal advice from a solicitor who specialises in child injury claims, as the process can be complex and there are specific rules and procedures that must be followed. The solicitor will help you to gather the necessary evidence to support the claim, such as medical reports, and will also help to ensure that any compensation awarded is used to provide for the child’s needs and best interests.

It’s important to keep in mind that the child’s welfare should always be a primary concern when making a burn injury claim and any compensation awarded should be used to support the child’s needs and best interests.

Why Choose Beacon Law to Handle your Burn Injury Claim?

Beacon Law is a nationwide Personal Injury law firm with a great reputation for providing exceptional service to all clients. Our specialist solicitors and legal professionals have vast experience in handling all types of personal injury claims. We have experience in dealing with burn injury claims as the result of many different types of accident, including accidents at work, road traffic accidents and occupiers liability accidents.

We offer our assistance on a no win, no fee basis which means that if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be required to pay our fees. If your claim is successful, our fees will be deducted from your compensation on conclusion of your case.

We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and can provide you with the legal advice you require as your personal injury lawyer. We will provide assistance throughout your case and act only within your instructions in progressing the matter.

If you require our assistance or wish to discuss your case based on its own facts, please complete the online contact form on our website, and a specialist Solicitor will contact you. Alternatively, please call us on 0330 1332 857 to discuss your potential case.