A sudden fire, scalding liquid, or electrical surge can leave you with devastating burn injuries. The pain is unbearable. The scars, both physical and emotional, can last forever. At Souder Law, we understand how serious burn injuries are, and we don’t back down from holding negligent parties accountable. Our experienced team of personal injury lawyers fights relentlessly to get you the compensation and justice you deserve.
What are burn injuries?
Burn injuries are more common and more serious than most people realize. According to the American Burn Association, nearly 486,000 people in the U.S. seek medical treatment for burns each year. Thousands of burn injury victims require emergency hospitalization or long-term care. Whether caused by fire, hot liquids, electricity, or chemicals, burn injuries can lead to permanent scarring, nerve damage, infections, and lifelong physical and emotional trauma.
A burn injury occurs when heat, radiation, electricity, friction, or chemicals destroy layers of the skin and underlying tissue. Burns are classified by degrees, ranging from superficial first-degree burns to life-threatening fourth-degree burns that reach muscle and bone. These injuries can cause intense pain, blistering, tissue death, and even loss of mobility or limb function. In many cases, they also require skin grafts, surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation. Severe burns are catastrophic and legally actionable when caused by negligence.
Types of burn injuries:
- First-degree burns affecting only the outer layer of skin
- Second-degree burns damaging both the epidermis and part of the dermis
- Third-degree burns destroying all skin layers and potentially underlying fat
- Fourth-degree burns extending into muscle, tissue, and bone
- Thermal burns caused by fire, steam, or hot objects
- Chemical burns from exposure to corrosive substances
- Electrical burns resulting from electric shock or faulty wiring
- Radiation burns caused by sun exposure or medical treatments
How we handle your burn injuries claim
At Souder Law, we start by conducting an in-depth investigation into the cause of your burn injury. We collect critical evidence, including fire reports, inspection records, witness statements, surveillance footage, and expert analysis, to build a case that clearly shows how negligence caused your injuries. Whether the burn resulted from a property defect, faulty wiring, a vehicle fire, or unsafe workplace conditions, we pinpoint exactly who is liable.
Once liability is established, we work with your doctors to fully understand the medical impact of your injuries: scarring, surgeries, rehabilitation needs, and long-term care. We calculate not just your current losses, but your future expenses, emotional distress, and loss of earning capacity. Then, we aggressively negotiate with insurance companies or take your case to court if necessary, ensuring you pursue maximum compensation for everything you’ve endured.
Damages available in burn injuries
Burn injuries often involve multiple layers of liability: landlords who ignored safety codes, manufacturers of defective products, negligent drivers, or employers who failed to provide a safe working environment. Identifying every responsible party is critical to securing the full compensation you’re legally entitled to under Florida law. We uncover all possible avenues of liability so nothing is left on the table.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress and trauma
- Long-term rehabilitation or in-home care
- Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or misconduct
Can I file a lawsuit if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Florida follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover compensation as long as you were less than 51% at fault. Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For example, if you’re found 20% at fault, your final award is reduced by 20%. We fight to limit any blame unfairly assigned to you.
Steps to take immediately after burn injuries:
- Seek emergency medical attention, even if the burn seems minor
- Document the scene with photos or videos, including the source of the burn
- Report the incident to the property owner, supervisor, or relevant authority
- Preserve any clothing, tools, or objects involved in the incident
- Get copies of medical records, fire reports, or workplace incident reports
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance companies without legal counsel
- Consult a burn injury attorney at Souder Law to understand your legal rights and options
- Follow all medical advice and attend every treatment or rehabilitation session
Find out what your case is worth (at no cost)
Souder Law is a compassionate, aggressive personal injury firm based in Jupiter and Palm Beach County, serving all of South Florida and the Treasure Coast. We work on a contingency fee basis, so it costs you nothing upfront to pursue justice. Our team will evaluate your burn injury claim, identify all liable parties, and explain what compensation you may be entitled to. You don’t pay unless we win. Contact us today for a free case review for burn injuries.
