Los Angeles Burn Injury Lawyer

Burn injuries are among the most devastating and life-altering traumas a person can suffer. Whether caused by a car fire on the 110 Freeway, a defective space heater in a South Central apartment, or a chemical explosion at a Vernon factory, these injuries often leave lasting physical and emotional scars. If you or a loved one has suffered severe burns due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve aggressive legal representation that understands the complexities of burn injury claims in Los Angeles.

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our experienced Los Angeles burn injury attorneys are deeply familiar with the challenges burn victims face especially in a city as vast and diverse as LA. From Koreatown to Santa Monica, and from Downtown to the San Fernando Valley, we’ve helped clients recover the maximum compensation for their pain, suffering, and long-term recovery needs.

With over 20 years of experience representing clients all across Los Angeles, we know the LA court system and how local building codes and insurance policies have an effect on people’s ability to recover for their losses. No matter what kind of claim you have, our 24/7 legal team will be there to guide you every step of the way.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay anything until you win! Call us today at (213) 927-3700 or completing our quick online contact form for a free consultation!

Common Types of Accidents That Cause Severe Burns

Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis filled with opportunities and hazards. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), there are more than 7,500 structure fires in LA each year, and hundreds of burn victims require emergency treatment at local trauma centers like USC’s Burn Center, UCLA Medical Center, and Cedars-Sinai.

There are endless types of accidents that can potentially cause burn injuries. However, some types of accidents are known for causing catastrophic injuries more frequently than others. Some of the most common causes include:

• Apartment Fires Due to Landlord Negligence: Faulty wiring, blocked fire escapes, and broken smoke detectors are especially common in older housing in neighborhoods like Echo Park, Westlake, and Boyle Heights.
• Car Fires from Rear-End Collisions: High-speed crashes on the 405, 10, and 101 Freeways often lead to engine fires or fuel tank explosions.
• Restaurant and Food Truck Accidents: Many burn victims are injured in grease fires or scalding water accidents while working at or visiting eateries in West LA, Silver Lake, or East Hollywood.
• House Fires from Defective Appliances: Space heaters, gas stoves, or faulty HVAC units can overheat and spark fires especially in dense housing areas like Palms or North Hollywood.
• Chemical Plant and Industrial Burns: Burn injuries frequently occur in the Vernon industrial zone, South LA, and near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, where workers are exposed to high-risk materials.

Types of Burn Injuries

To some people’s surprise, fires aren’t the only cause of burn injuries. As burn injuries are medically classified by the type of source, they can be caused by a variety of sources. Thermal burns, electrical burns, chemical burns, friction burns, and radiation burns are the different types of burn injuries a person could sustain in an accident. While each type of burn affects the skin differently, it is vital to seek medical attention immediately.

Categories of Burn Degrees

In addition to the type of burn injuries, the severity of a burn injury is categorized by different degrees. These injuries are medically classified into four categories, from minor burns to the most severe burns.

• First-degree burns: Burns that cause tolerable pain, affect only the outer layer, and do not leave lasting scars are classified as first-degree burns.
• Second-degree burns: These burns may produce more visible blisters, affecting both the epidermis and dermis. Second-degree burns may also cause some thickening of the surrounding skin.
• Third-degree burns: A third-degree burn can also be classified as full-thickness burns. These types of burns result in total skin damage and whitening of the skin.
• Fourth-degree burns: These are catastrophic burn injuries similar to third-degree burns. Fourth-degree burn victims will suffer burn injuries that spread to the tendons and bones. Skin grafting surgery may be needed in the treatment process.

How To File a Burn Injury Claim in Los Angeles

Under California Civil Code § 1714, if your burn injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you can file a claim to seek monetary damages for physical injuries and financial losses. The claims process includes the following steps:

1. Getting Emergency Medical Treatment
2. Gather Evidence
3. Identify Responsible Parties
4. Hire a Los Angeles Burn Injury Lawyer
5. File Before the Deadline

Common Mistakes in a LA Burn Injury Claim

Victims in LA often make mistakes that can cost them their case. While it is understandable to feel shaken up or limited in your ability to make the proper moves to protect your rights, knowing what the most common mistakes are can give you a better understanding on how to navigate from them. For instance, the following mistakes are some of the most common in Los Angeles accidents.

• Not reporting the incident immediately to building managers or employers in places like Mid-City, Van Nuys, or Westwood
• Failing to obtain surveillance footage from local businesses or Metro stations
• Allowing medical gaps by missing follow-up visits at Kaiser Permanente or UCLA Health
• Speaking to insurers without legal representation—especially adjusters from major carriers based in Downtown LA or Orange County
• Not consulting an attorney early on, resulting in lost evidence or missed legal opportunities

How Long Is the Statute of Limitations for a Los Angeles Burn Injury Claim?

Under California law, the statute of limitations for a burn injury claim is just two years. Failure to file your claim before the statute of limitation expires will result in losing the opportunity to be awarded compensation through the civil courts.

While two years may seem like more than enough time to move forward with your case, the sooner you get started with help from an attorney, the more likely you will have the evidence needed to support your case.

How to Win Your Los Angeles Burn Injury Claim

If you are hoping to bring the liable party to justice for your burn injuries, you will need to show that their negligence or misconduct is the cause of your accident. As negligence is defined as a wrongful act committed by an individual or organization that causes harm to someone else, for a successful personal injury lawsuit, burn injury lawyers must do the following:

• Establish Fault: Whether it’s a negligent landlord in East LA, a careless driver on the 101, or a company cutting corners in South Gate
• Demonstrate Damages: Presenting medical records, doctor’s evaluations, and expert witness testimony.
• Calculate All Losses: Including emotional trauma, disfigurement, and lost career opportunities in high-paying fields like film, fashion, or hospitality.

In addition, it is important to hire a local attorney who knows the court procedures of Los Angeles Superior Court, because they can offer a network of resources to their clients which can help them tremendously throughout their claim.

Compensation for Burn Injury Victims in Los Angeles 

Burn injuries are among the most painful and devastating injuries anyone can possibly experience. Due to the severity of these types of injuries, victims often require extensive treatment and costly plastic surgery. According to California Civil Code 1431, burn victims can file a claim to recover these expenses from the negligent party. Some of the most common types of recoverable compensation for burn injury victims are of the following:

• Present and Future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Occupational and physical therapy expenses
• Property damages
• Skin scarring and disfigurement
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Mental suffering
• Loss of consortium

While the settlement amounts for burn injuries are decided based on the extent of the damage suffered by the burn victim, a skilled Los Angeles burn injury lawyer should be able to give you an accurate estimation of what you can recover.

Can You Recover Punitive Damages?

Depending on the nature and severity of the accident in question, you may also have the opportunity to recover punitive damages after a burn accident. As outlined in California Civil Code 3294, judges are allowed to award punitive damages when they find the defendant’s actions egregious or grossly negligent.

Get Help from a Burn Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles

Trying to recover from a burn injury can be a timely and painful process, but it doesn’t have to be. By hiring an experienced burn injury lawyer, you can focus on recovering while your attorney ensures your medical bills and other expenses are all paid for. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our team of burn injury lawyers can help bring the liable party responsible for your burn injuries to justice. 

With an established track record of winning cases and securing compensation for over 25 years, our team of attorneys have won over $1.7 billion in compensation for our clients and they will continue to do their duty to fight for their clients rights. Whether you were burned in an accident in Downtown LA, Torrance, Highland Park, or West Hollywood, our attorneys are ready to help and get you the maximum compensation for your damages.

We operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay anything until you win! Call us today at (213) 927-3700 or completing our quick online contact form for a free consultation!