Types of Accidents That Can Lead to Serious Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are among the most painful and devastating injuries a person can suffer. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, multiple surgeries, and prolonged rehabilitation, sometimes for years.

Below, our Bakersfield burn injury lawyers explore the most common types of accidents that lead to serious burn injuries and the legal options available to victims.

Types of Accidents Causing Burn Injuries

Burns can result from a wide variety of personal injury accidents, many of which are preventable. Understanding the cause of the burn is a critical first step in determining who may be legally responsible and what compensation may be available to support the victim’s recovery.

1. Vehicle Accidents

Car, truck, and motorcycle crashes are a leading cause of severe burns. These injuries typically occur when:

• A vehicle catches fire after a collision
• Fuel tanks or flammable cargo ignite
• Hot metal or steam comes into contact with the skin

In high-impact collisions, trapped passengers may suffer thermal burns or inhalation injuries from smoke and toxic fumes. When another driver is at fault—due to negligence like speeding, impaired driving, or distracted driving—the victim may file an injury claim to seek damages for car accident burn injuries.

2. Workplace Accidents

Burn injuries are also common in workplace environments, especially in the construction, manufacturing, and food service industries. Typical causes of workplace burn injury claims include:

• Electrical burns from exposed wiring or faulty equipment
• Chemical burns from exposure to industrial substances
• Thermal burns from hot surfaces or open flames

In California and many other states, injured workers could be eligible for workers’ compensation, which covers medical bills and lost wages. However, if a third party (like an equipment manufacturer or contractor) contributed to the incident, a separate personal injury lawsuit may also be possible.

3. Electrical Fires and Accidents

Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and defective electrical systems can lead to fires or direct electrical burns. Electrical burn injuries are especially dangerous because they may cause internal damage not visible from the surface.

Electrical burns can occur in either residential or commercial spaces. When property owners fail to maintain safe electrical systems—or when a product malfunctions due to a design or manufacturing defect—burn victims may have grounds for premises liability or product liability claims.

4. Defective Products

Many burn injuries are caused by products that overheat, spark, or catch fire unexpectedly. Common culprits include:

• Faulty space heaters and kitchen appliances
• Lithium-ion batteries (in phones, e-bikes, or laptops)
• Gas-powered tools and grills
• Flammable clothing or bedding

Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers could all be liable under product liability law if a defective or unreasonably dangerous product causes injury. Victims may be entitled to compensation for burns caused by manufacturing defects, poor design, or inadequate safety warnings.

5. Building Fires

Whether caused by negligence, arson, or faulty construction, building fires can trap occupants and result in devastating injuries. Common examples include:

• Apartment fires due to landlord negligence
• Hotel fires with blocked exits or no alarms
• Office fires caused by unsafe wiring or unattended equipment

In these cases, landlords, property owners, or managers could be legally liable for failing to maintain a safe environment, violating fire codes, or not providing proper safety measures.

Legal Options for Burn Injury Victims

If you or a loved one has suffered serious burns due to someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation through a personal injury claim. Key components of a successful burn injury lawsuit often include:

• Identifying the responsible party. Whether it’s a negligent driver, careless landlord, employer, or product manufacturer, proving fault is the first step.
• Documenting the injuries. Medical records, photographs, and expert testimony help establish the severity of the burns and necessary treatments.
• Calculating damages. Burn injury cases often involve long-term costs that should be factored into the compensation demand.

What Compensation Can Burn Victims Recover?

In addition to the immediate physical pain of a burn injury, victims often face long-term emotional trauma, scarring, disfigurement, and permanent disabilities. As a result, they may be eligible for significant financial compensation for burn injuries in California, including:

• Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgeries, skin grafts, hospital stays, and ongoing therapy
• Lost wages, such as income lost during injury recovery as well as future lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering damages for the intense physical pain and emotional trauma of burn injuries
• Disfigurement and scarring damages to compensate the victim for additional emotional distress and lost quality of life caused by permanent visible damage
• Long-term care for severe burns requiring home modifications, assistive devices, or lifelong nursing care

In cases of egregious negligence or corporate misconduct, victims could also be awarded punitive damages to deter similar behavior in the future.

Why Legal Representation Matters

Burn injury cases are complex and emotionally intense. Insurance companies might try to minimize settlements by shifting blame or denying the severity of your injuries.

An experienced injury attorney can help by:

• Investigating the cause of the accident
• Identifying all liable parties
• Consulting with medical and technical experts
• Negotiating with insurers or taking the case to trial if needed

The right lawyer will ensure your case is taken seriously and that you receive the full compensation you deserve.

Don’t Go Through the Legal Process Alone

Burn injuries can change your entire life in an instant. If someone else’s negligence caused your suffering, speak to a severe burn injury attorney as soon as possible. The call is free and could make all the difference in your recovery.

Contact Chain | Cohn | Clark for a no-obligation, free case review today.