How much compensation do you get for a burn injury

How much compensation do you get for a burn injury
By: Roger Fincher | February 7, 2025 | Burn Injury

Burn injuries can be severe and cause long-term pain and suffering. They often come with high medical costs, lost wages, and emotional distress. If someone else’s negligence caused your burn injury, you may be entitled to compensation.

Fincher Law Injury & Accident Lawyers help burn victims get fair compensation for their injuries. We understand how devastating burn injuries can be. Whether you’ve suffered first-, second-, or third-degree burns, we are here to help.

Our goal is to make sure you get the financial compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other related costs. Our experienced burn injury lawyer will fight for your rights every step of the way.

Factors That Affect Burn Injury Compensation

Several factors can impact how much compensation you may receive for a burn injury. Understanding these factors helps you know what to expect. Some of the key factors are:

Severity of the Burn

The severity of the burn plays a major role in the compensation you receive. First-degree burns usually heal quickly and don’t require much treatment. However, second-degree and third-degree burns are much more serious. Second-degree burns cause blisters and intense pain, while third-degree burns damage deeper skin layers and may require surgery.

For severe burn injuries, like third-degree burns or fourth-degree burns, the costs and long-term care needs increase significantly. Permanent scarring or loss of function may also be involved, which can increase the settlement amount. The more serious the injury, the higher the compensation is likely to be.

Medical Expenses

Medical expenses are one of the largest factors in determining burn injury compensation. These costs can include hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, and rehabilitation. Severe burns often require long-term treatment, which can add up to significant medical bills.

For third-degree burns, treatment may involve skin grafts, physical therapy, and long-term care. Even for second-degree burns, there could be medical expenses for wound care and follow-up visits. In some cases, future medical bills may also need to be considered, especially if the burn injury results in long-term disability or requires ongoing care.

If someone else is responsible for your injury, you may be able to recover these medical expenses through a burn injury claim. An experienced burn injury lawyer can help ensure that all medical costs, including future expenses, are accounted for in your settlement.

Lost Wages and Future Earning Capacity

Burn injuries can cause you to miss work, whether it’s for a few days, weeks, or even longer. If your injury keeps you from working, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages. This includes the income you would have earned if you hadn’t been injured.

For more severe injuries, such as third-degree burns or permanent scarring, you might not be able to return to your previous job. In these cases, compensation may also include future earning capacity. This means compensation for any income loss if the injury affects your ability to work long-term or limits your career options.

Your burn injury lawyer will help calculate these damages, making sure you are compensated for the time you missed from work and the future impact the injury may have on your earning potential.

Pain and Suffering

Pain and suffering compensation covers the physical and emotional distress caused by a burn injury. This can include the pain you experience from the injury itself, as well as the mental toll it takes, such as anxiety or depression. Burn injuries can cause lasting scars, which may lead to emotional trauma and affect your self-esteem.

The amount of pain and suffering compensation you receive depends on the severity of your injuries and how long they affect your life. For severe burn injuries like third-degree burns, the compensation for pain and suffering may be higher. Your burn injury lawyer will work to ensure that you are fairly compensated for both the physical pain and emotional suffering caused by the injury.

Negligence and Liability

In burn injury cases, the responsible party’s negligence is a key factor in determining compensation. Negligence means that someone failed to act with reasonable care, leading to your injury.

Your burn injury lawyer will help identify the negligent party and gather evidence to prove liability, ensuring you receive fair compensation for your injury.

Insurance Policy Limits

The insurance policy limits can also affect how much compensation you can receive for a burn injury. Insurance companies have limits on how much they will pay for a claim. These limits are set by the policy purchased by the responsible party. If the burn injury claim exceeds the policy limits, you may need to explore other options for recovery.

If the person or entity responsible for the injury has limited insurance coverage, you may be able to pursue additional compensation through personal assets, other insurance policies, or a lawsuit. An experienced burn injury lawyer can help you explore these options and ensure you receive as much compensation as possible.

It's important to work with a lawyer who understands how to deal with insurance companies and can ensure the best possible outcome for your case.

Types of Compensation Available in Burn Injury Cases

In burn injury cases, there are several types of compensation you may be able to recover. Compensation can include medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

A few of the main types of compensation available in burn injury cases include:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are meant to cover the financial losses you experience due to the burn injury. This includes medical bills, such as hospital stays, surgeries, and treatment, as well as any lost wages if the injury keeps you from working. If you need future medical care or assistance with long-term recovery, these costs may also be covered under economic damages.

Economic damages are easier to calculate because they are based on actual costs. Your burn injury lawyer will work to ensure that all of your financial losses are included in your settlement or claim.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are harder to calculate, but they are just as important. These damages cover the physical and emotional pain caused by the burn injury. This includes pain, suffering, emotional distress, and any loss of enjoyment in life due to your injury.

Non-economic damages also take into account the impact of the injury on your mental health. For severe burn injuries, such as third-degree burns, compensation for non-economic damages can be significant, as these injuries often lead to long-lasting emotional effects.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are designed to punish the responsible party for their actions and prevent similar behavior in the future. These damages are typically awarded when the defendant’s actions were particularly reckless or intentional.

For example, if the burn injury was caused by extreme negligence, such as a reckless driver or a dangerous business practice, the court may award punitive damages in addition to other compensation.

Punitive damages are rare and are not available in every burn injury case. However, when awarded, they can significantly increase the total compensation for the victim.

Average Compensation for Burn Injury Claims

The amount of compensation you can receive for a burn injury varies based on several factors, such as the severity of the injury and the circumstances of the case. While every burn injury case is different, understanding the general compensation range can help set expectations.

Mild Burns (First-Degree) Compensation Estimates

First-degree burns are the least severe, affecting only the outer layer of the skin. These burns cause redness and mild pain, but they usually heal quickly without permanent scarring. As a result, compensation for first-degree burns is generally lower than for more severe injuries.

In most cases, compensation for first-degree burns covers medical bills, any time missed from work, and minor pain and suffering. The total compensation might range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, depending on the specific circumstances.

Moderate Burns (Second-Degree) Compensation Estimates

Second-degree burns are more serious and affect both the outer layer and the deeper layer of skin. These burns cause blisters, pain, and swelling and may require medical treatment such as wound care and possibly skin grafts. They can also leave permanent scarring.

Compensation for second-degree burns can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and potential long-term treatment costs. For more severe second-degree burns, compensation may be higher.

Severe Burns (Third-Degree and Beyond) Compensation Estimates

Third-degree burns are severe injuries that affect all layers of the skin and may extend into deeper tissues. These burns often require extensive medical treatment, such as skin grafts, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation. In some cases, third-degree burns can cause permanent scarring or disability.

The compensation for severe burns can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the injury’s severity. This compensation covers medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, long-term care, and permanent disability. The more severe the burn, the higher the potential compensation.

Wrongful Death in Burn Injury Cases

In tragic cases where a burn injury leads to death, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death lawsuit. The compensation can cover funeral costs, lost future income, and the emotional distress caused by the death of a loved one.

Wrongful death claims in burn injury cases often result in significant settlements, especially when the death was caused by severe burn injuries like third or fourth-degree burns. The amount of compensation depends on the victim’s earning capacity, the family’s financial losses, and other factors.

How to Maximize Your Burn Injury Compensation

To get the most money for your burn injury, there are some things you can do. Taking these steps will help make sure you get the full compensation you deserve.

Here’s how you can increase your chances of getting more:

  • Get Medical Help Right Away: Always see a doctor right after your burn injury. Early treatment can prevent the injury from getting worse. This also helps you show your injury is serious when you make your claim.
  • Keep All Medical Records: Save all your doctor’s notes, bills, and receipts for your medical treatment. These records are important when calculating your compensation.
  • Follow Your Doctor’s Advice: Follow the treatment plan your doctor gives you. Don’t skip appointments or treatments. This shows you’re taking your recovery seriously, which helps your case.
  • Gather Evidence: Take pictures of the injury and the place where it happened. Get contact info for anyone who saw what happened. This evidence will support your claim.
  • Talk to a Burn Injury Lawyer: A lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve. They know how to deal with insurance companies and will fight for a fair settlement.

By doing these things, you can help make sure your burn injury case goes smoothly and that you get the best possible compensation.

FAQs

How long does it take to get a burn injury settlement?

The time it takes to get a burn injury settlement depends on how serious the injury is and how complicated the case is. It can take a few months or even up to a year or more. Your burn injury lawyer can help speed up the process.

What is the average burn injury settlement?

The average burn injury settlement varies depending on the severity of the injury. Mild burns may result in smaller settlements, while severe burns, like third-degree burns, can lead to much higher compensation. An experienced lawyer can help estimate your settlement based on your specific case.

Can I file a burn injury lawsuit?

Yes, if someone else’s negligence caused your burn injury, you can file a burn injury lawsuit. The lawsuit can help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A burn injury lawyer can help guide you through the legal process.

What damages can I recover in a burn injury case?

You can recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical care. In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages, especially if the injury was caused by extreme negligence.

How do burn injury lawsuits work?

In a burn injury lawsuit, your lawyer will gather evidence to prove the other party’s negligence caused your injury. The goal is to reach a fair settlement, but if the case goes to court, the lawyer will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve.

Contact Our Kansas City Burn Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you’ve been injured in a burn accident, it’s important to get legal help right away. Fincher Law Injury & Accident Lawyers offer a free consultation to discuss your burn injury case. Our experienced burn injury attorney will review the details of your injury and explain your legal options.

Whether you’ve suffered first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree burns, we are here to help. We specialize in lawsuits involving burn injuries and can help you seek the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Burn injuries can be life-changing, but with the right legal help, you don’t have to face it alone. Contact us today for your free consultation. Let us help you get the justice you deserve.

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