Burn Injury

Los Angeles Burn Injury Lawyer

Having a severe burn injury can be a traumatic experience that can leave visible marks, affecting you in many ways. This is why the Los Angeles burn injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker represent individuals seeking compensation for injuries caused by negligence.

• We have 50+ years of helping LA accident victims.
• We have recovered over $2 billion in settlements for clients.*
• We are available to answer questions about burn injury claims.

Call us today at 562-620-5912 to schedule a consultation. 

*Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome. Amounts listed are gross recoveries before attorney fees and costs.

Guidance You Can Rely On

Our law firm has been a part of the Los Angeles community since 1972. Our attorneys have handled many complex injury cases and represented clients across Los Angeles. Our bilingual team is available to assist clients, and when you work with us, we aim to provide attentive legal representation throughout your case.

 

Some people think a burn injury is minor and can heal over time. While this may be true, a burn injury, especially a severe one, can affect many aspects of daily life. Medical treatment, time away from work, and ongoing care can create significant challenges.

Our burn injury attorneys represent individuals navigating the legal process after serious injuries. While you focus on your recovery, our team works to investigate the circumstances of the incident and pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages that may apply under the law.

What to Do After a Burn Injury in Los Angeles

The moments after a burn injury can be important for both medical treatment and any legal claim you may pursue later. Consider the following steps:

1. Get Medical Help Right Away: Your health comes first. Even burns that appear minor can worsen or lead to infection. Visit an emergency room or burn center so a doctor can assess the injury and begin treatment.
2. Report What Happened: Inform the appropriate party about the incident. Tell your employer if it occurred at work, notify a property owner if it happened on their premises, or document the issue if a defective product caused the burn. In some situations, the incident may also be reported to the Los Angeles Police Department.
3. Document Everything: Take photos or videos of your injuries and the scene if possible. Keep notes about treatments and how the injury affects your daily life.
4. Save All Evidence: Keep items related to the accident, including damaged clothing, tools, products, chemicals, or equipment.
5. Be Cautious With Insurance Companies: Insurance companies may request statements or offer early settlements. Consider speaking with an attorney before accepting any offer.
6. Speak With a Burn Injury Lawyer: A Los Angeles burn injury lawyer can review your situation and explain potential legal options based on the facts of your case.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Los Angeles

Burn injuries can result from various incidents, including those involving negligence. In a large metropolitan area like Los Angeles, these incidents occur in a variety of settings. As of November 2025, CalFire has responded to 545,471 incidents within its jurisdiction.

• Vehicle Accidents: Motor vehicle crashes can sometimes result in fires or explosions. The American Burn Association reports that 680 fire and smoke inhalation deaths result from motor vehicle crashes in the United States. Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes on LA’s congested freeways like the I-405 or I-10 can cause fires and explosions, leading to thermal burns.
• Defective Products: Faulty wiring in electronics, malfunctioning appliances, or defective vehicle parts may cause fires or electrical burns. In 2020, roughly 28.5 million people received medical treatment for injuries that were associated with consumer products.
• Workplace Accidents: Construction sites and industrial settings in Los Angeles may involve hazards such as chemical spills, electrical hazards, and explosions that can cause catastrophic burn injuries.
• Premises Liability: Property owners may be responsible for maintaining reasonably safe conditions. Hazards such as faulty wiring, scalding from improperly set water heaters, or chemical burns at pools can cause burns. According to the National Fire Protection Association, over one-third of all fires in 2024, which is about 470,500, or 34 percent, took place in or on buildings and other structures.
• Scalding Liquids: Burn injuries can occur in restaurants, workplaces, and homes from hot liquids such as coffee, soup, or cooking oil.

Common Injuries from Burn Accidents

Burn injuries are classified by degrees of severity. We handle cases involving all types of burns, including:

• First-Degree Burns: Affecting the outer layer of skin (epidermis), causing redness and pain.
• Second-Degree Burns: Damage to the epidermis and dermis, often resulting in blisters and swelling.
• Third-Degree Burns: Damage deeper layers of skin and may affect underlying tissue.
• Fourth-Degree Burns: Extend beyond the skin and may affect muscle, ligaments, or bone.
• Chemical Burns: Caused by contact with corrosive substances.
• Electrical Burns: Resulting from contact with an electrical current.
• Inhalation Injuries: Damage to the respiratory system from inhaling smoke, steam, or toxic fumes.

When Can Accident Victims File Burn Injury Claims?

If you suffered burn injuries because another party acted negligently or failed to maintain safe conditions, you may have the right to pursue a legal claim. Burns caused by defective products, unsafe property conditions, workplace hazards, explosions, or electrical failures may form the basis of a personal injury case.

When a company, property owner, manufacturer, or individual acts negligently, they may be held legally responsible for resulting damages under California law.

What Negligence Means in a Burn Injury Case

Businesses, property owners, employers, and manufacturers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm. When that duty is breached and an injury occurs as a result, the responsible party may be liable for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, and other losses.

What You Must Prove to Recover Compensation

To pursue compensation in a burn injury case, the following elements typically must be established:

• Duty of Care: The responsible party had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care.
• Breach of Duty: That obligation was violated through negligent or unsafe conduct.
• Causation: The breach directly caused the burn injury.
• Damages: The injury resulted in measurable harm such as medical expenses, lost wages, or other losses.

A burn injury lawyer can help investigate the facts of the incident and determine whether these elements may apply.

Who May Be Liable for Your Burn Injury?

When you’re recovering from a burn injury, one of the questions you may face is who should be held accountable. Burn injuries may involve multiple potentially responsible parties depending on the circumstances.

• Negligent Individuals: For example, drivers or individuals whose careless actions caused a fire or hazardous situation.
• Employers: Companies that fail to provide adequate safety procedures or protective equipment in the workplace.
• Property Owners: Landlords or businesses responsible for unsafe property conditions.
• Manufacturers and Designers: Companies that design or sell defective products that cause fires or burns.
• Public Entities: Government agencies responsible for maintaining safe public infrastructure.

Each of these parties has a duty to keep others safe. When that duty is broken, you may be able to pursue damages. Determining liability depends on the specific facts of the incident.

Damages You Can Recover in a Burn Injury Claim

Individuals injured by negligence may seek compensation for financial and personal losses. These damages may include economic and non-economic categories.

Economic Damages

These are the tangible financial losses you have incurred and may incur in the future.

• Medical Expenses: Including emergency care, hospitalization, skin grafts, reconstructive surgeries, physical therapy, and medication.
• Future Medical Care: Costs for ongoing treatments, long-term rehabilitation, and assistive devices.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you lost while unable to work.
• Loss of Earning Capacity: If the injury prevents you from returning to your previous job or earning the same level of income.
• Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace any personal property destroyed in the incident.
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Any other expenses related to your injury, such as travel for medical appointments.

Non-Economic Damages

These damages address the personal losses that may result from an injury and that do not have a precise financial value.

• Pain and Suffering: For the physical pain and discomfort caused by the injury and subsequent treatments.
• Emotional Distress: For anxiety, depression, fear, and other psychological impacts associated with the injury.
• Disfigurement and Scarring: For the permanent physical changes and scarring resulting from the burn.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: For the inability to participate in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): For lasting psychological trauma following the event.

In certain cases involving particularly reckless or intentional conduct, punitive damages may also be awarded under California law to penalize the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.

California’s Statute of Limitations for Burn Injuries

Time can be an important factor in a burn injury case. In California, you typically have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If a government agency is involved, a formal claim generally must be filed within just six months.

These deadlines are strict, and missing them may affect your ability to pursue compensation. Speaking with an attorney early may help ensure important deadlines are not overlooked. An attorney can also help preserve evidence and evaluate your legal options.

You may call us at 562-620-5912 or fill out our contact form if you would like to discuss your situation with our team.

Why You Need a Los Angeles Burn Injury Lawyer

Handling a burn injury claim on your own can be difficult, especially while you are dealing with medical treatment and recovery. Insurance companies evaluate claims based on policy terms and liability, and the process can involve detailed documentation and negotiations.

A Los Angeles burn injury lawyer can help explain your legal rights, investigate the incident, and communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. Legal representation may also help ensure that relevant evidence is preserved and that your claim is properly documented.

Here are some ways an attorney may assist:

• Investigate your case to identify responsible parties and gather relevant evidence.
• Preserve vital evidence before it is lost or unavailable.
• Handle communications with insurance companies and opposing parties.
• Work with medical and industry experts when necessary to evaluate injuries and damages.
• Prepare documentation and technical arguments to support settlement discussions or court proceedings.

How Our Law Firm Builds Your Case

We follow a structured process when handling burn injury claims.

1. Initial Case Review: We begin with a consultation where we listen to your story, review the available information, and discuss potential legal options.
2. Thorough Investigation: Our team gathers evidence such as accident reports, medical records, witness statements, and photos of the scene and injuries.
3. Working with Experts: When necessary, we consult with medical professionals, accident reconstruction specialists, and financial experts to better understand the cause of the incident and the extent of damages.
4. Calculating Full Damages: We document financial losses and other damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and potential future care needs.
5. Aggressive Negotiation: Our attorneys handle settlement discussions with insurance companies and opposing parties when appropriate.
6. Trial Preparation and Litigation: If a settlement cannot be reached, the case may proceed through the court process where a judge or jury will determine the outcome.

Why Choose Us to Represent You

When you choose our burn injury law firm, you are choosing a team with a long history of representing individuals in Los Angeles.

• Over 50 Years Serving Los Angeles: Our firm has decades of experience working with injury cases in California.
• Multilingual Team: Our diverse, bilingual staff is ready to assist clients from different backgrounds.
• Proven Results: We have recovered over $2 billion in settlements and verdicts for clients. *Past results depend on the specific facts of each case and do not guarantee a similar outcome.
• Full-Service Support: We assist clients through the legal process, from documenting evidence to handling paperwork and communications.
• Personalized Attention: We work to provide attentive and responsive legal representation throughout the case.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation to learn how we can help.

Client Testimonials

Many personal injury attorneys may be able to represent you. You can read more about what our past clients have said about our services.*

“Great job. Got good compensation and service. I always refer to friends and family.” – Alex Adams*

*Client testimonials reflect individual experiences. Results vary depending on the facts of each case.

Areas We Serve in Los Angeles

We represent clients throughout Los Angeles County, including Downtown LA, the San Fernando Valley, the Westside, the South Bay, the Eastside, and surrounding communities.

Central Los Angeles & Core Business Hubs

• Downtown Los Angeles (DTLA)
• Century City
• Mid-Wilshire / Miracle Mile
• Koreatown

Westside & The “Silicon Beach” Corridor

• Beverly Hills
• Santa Monica
• Culver City
• Playa Vista
• Westwood
• Malibu

San Fernando Valley (The Valley) & North County

• Burbank
• Studio City / Sherman Oaks
• Woodland Hills / Warner Center
• Santa Clarita

South Bay & Harbor Area

• Torrance
• El Segundo / LAX Corridor
• Long Beach
• Inglewood
• San Pedro

San Gabriel Valley (SGV) & Northeast

• Pasadena
• Glendale
• Alhambra / Monterey Park
• East Los Angeles (Unincorporated Area Focus)

Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries

What if I were partially at fault for the accident?

California follows a comparative fault system. This means you may still recover damages even if you were partially responsible, though your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Do I need a police report to file a claim?

A police report can be helpful evidence, but it is not always required. Other evidence such as photographs, witness statements, and medical records may also support a claim.

What if the person who caused my burn has no insurance?

If an uninsured or underinsured party caused your injury, compensation may still be available through other insurance coverage, such as uninsured/underinsured motorist policies, depending on the circumstances.

How long will my burn injury case take?

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others may take longer if litigation is required.

How much does it cost to hire your law firm?

Many personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney fees may depend on the outcome of the case. Fee arrangements are explained during the consultation.

Understand Your Legal Options

You have already been through a difficult experience. Speaking with a burn injury lawyer may help you better understand your legal options and the next steps available to you.

• Consultation available
• Fee arrangements explained during consultation
• Availability to answer questions

Other Practice Areas

• Catastrophic Injury
• Dog Bites
• Elder Abuse
• Premises Liability Accidents
• Product Liability
• Slip and Fall Injury
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Sports Injury
• Traumatic Brain Injury