Burn injury claims – how to claim compensation for a burn injury

What are the most common types of burn injury claims?

We usually think of fire or heat as the leading cause of burns, but burns and scolds can also be caused by exposure to cold, chemicals, radiation, friction, and electricity. In many cases, burns can happen extremely quickly but, unfortunately, leave long-lasting damage.

Some of the most common reasons for burn injury compensation claims include:

• Burn injuries at work caused by chemical burns or exposure to electrical wires or poorly maintained electrical equipment
• Burn injuries from road traffic accidents where there has been a fire or a person in the vehicle has been burnt from the faulty inflation of an airbag or has suffered friction burns
• Burn injuries caused by defective electrical products, gas equipment, or household appliances
• Burn injuries from beauty treatments that were not carried out correctly
• Burn injuries caused by hot food or drinks being accidentally spilt on you in a restaurant, coffee shop or bar
• Burn injuries from medical negligence caused by faulty medical devices resulting in internal burns or unsafe chemicals used on the skin

How much compensation can I claim for a burn injury?

The amount of compensation you may receive for a burn injury will depend on the severity of your burns and the effect it will have on your life.

According to the Judicial College Guidelines from the Ministry of Justice, compensation payouts for burn injuries can vary from £1,710 for minor facial scarring to £104,830 for significant burns covering more than 40% of the body.

The amounts listed above are the compensation you may be legally entitled to claim for your general damages – the amount you can claim for your injuries.

In addition, you can claim for special damages, the amount you can claim for expenses you may have incurred or will incur in the future.

The amount of special damages you may be able to claim is particularly important for those who have suffered life-changing burn injuries, as this can have a significant impact on your life and your loved ones.

In such instances, claims for special damages could include, but may not be limited to:

• The pain, suffering and the impact your burn injury may have on your life
• For loss of income and the loss of potential future earnings
• Medical expenses for ongoing care, rehabilitation
• Compensation for PTSD or other psychological injuries you may suffer from as a result of the injury
• The cost of specialist medical equipment you may require
• The cost of full-time care, including the carer’s loss of income if it is a family member
• The cost of adapting your home to the injured person’s specific requirements

Our specialist no win no fee solicitors have extensive experience handling such cases over the last two decades. Speak to our team today to understand your legal rights use our personal injury claims calculator to see how much you might be able to claim.

How long do I have to make a burn injury compensation claim?

In most cases, the time limit to start a compensation claim for a burn injury is three years from the accident date or three years from the date a medical professional diagnosed your injuries. However, there are some exceptions to the three-year statute of limitation.

The three-year time limit does not apply if the injured person is mentally incapacitated. It will only begin if they regain mental capacity.

You have two years to claim if your burn injuries resulted from an assault.

If a faulty product caused you injury, you will have three years to claim from the date of the accident or the fault was discovered, whichever is longer.

If claiming for a child, you can make a claim anytime until their 21st birthday.

If claiming for a loved one who has passed away, you have up to three from the date of their passing or from the date an autopsy was carried out.

Can I make a no win no fee burn injury compensation claim?

Yes. Our burn injury claims are processed on a no win, no fee basis.

When a no win no fee agreement is set up, your solicitor will take an insurance policy out on your behalf, which protects you in the rare event the claim isn’t successful.

The policy covers any costs incurred relating to your claim. These costs could include legal fees, medical reports, court, and other expenses.
The insurance policy, known as after-the-event insurance, fully protects the person claiming if the claim is unsuccessful and from any costs during the compensation claim process, meaning you can claim without paying a penny.

You will only pay a fee if your claim is successful, and the amount will be agreed upon when you enter into the agreement at the start of the claim process.

How are burn injuries classified?

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, burn injuries are split into two groups based on the level of tissue damage.

Superficial partial thickness burns – (also known as first and second-degree burns) do not extend through all the layers of the skin. These can range from Superficial epidermal burns (or superficial first-degree burns) to Superficial dermal burns (or superficial partial-thickness burns) and Deep dermal burns (or deep partial-thickness burns).

Full-thickness burns (also known as third-degree burns) extend through all layers of the skin and into the subcutaneous tissues.

Severe full-thickness burns (also known as fourth-degree burns) extend into muscle and bone, and damage to nerve endings causing loss of feeling. In the most severe cases, fourth-degree burns can lead to amputation.

However serious or long-lasting your burn, our expert burn injury claims solicitors are here to help you claim the compensation you deserve. Speak to us today to find out your legal rights to claiming compensation for your burns.

How do I start a burn injury compensation claim?

With over two decades of experience successfully representing people who have suffered injuries that may have significantly impacted their lives, we are here to help you claim what you are legally entitled to.

Contact us today, and our friendly, experienced personal injury claims team will provide free, unlimited legal advice. We’ll be able to let you know your legal rights, including if you can make a claim.

We may ask you for some information about your claim. The more information you can provide, the better we can advise you of your rights.

We may ask some of the following questions;

• When, where and how the eye injury happened
• The level of injuries sustained as a result of the accident
• Who may have been at fault for the accident
• If you have any of the following (if applicable) witness statements, accident reports, photographs, work accident reports, or CCTV of the accident scene
• Police and fire brigade investigation reports (if applicable)
• Proof of purchase and accompanying documentation relating to a faulty product
• What medical diagnosis and treatment has taken place
• How the injuries may have affected your life, and how they may have affected your family’s life

How long will my burn injury compensation claim take?

There is no set amount of time for a burn injury claim to be processed. Burn injury claims can range from a few months to over a year, depending on how the injuries occurred, how complex your claim is and how difficult it may be to prove liability.

When should a burn be seen by a doctor?

According to the NHS, a burn should be seen by a doctor when it is larger than the person’s hand or noticeably deep. Likewise, if the burn causes white or charred skin, you should seek medical attention. Any burns on the face, hands, arms, legs or genitals that cause blisters should be seen, and any chemical or electrical burns should be checked, no matter how minor.

What are the long-term effects of burns?

Burns can have long-term effects on a person’s life depending on where they are on the body, how much of the body they have affected, and what degree they are. They may cause scarring, itching and pain, as well as psychological issues, particularly if they affect the face. In some cases, they may cause muscle weakness, tightening, or problems regulating body temperature.

Why you should choose Express Solicitors for your burn injury claim

At Express Solicitors, we understand how devastating a burn injury can be, not just physically but emotionally. Our expert burn injury solicitors will listen to your story sensitively and help you to gather evidence to get the largest settlement possible. We have decades of experience and have won millions of pounds in cases just like yours. Start your no win, no fee burn injury claim today to get your life back on track.