By Olivia Timpson. Last updated 5th March 2021. Welcome to our burn injury claims guide. Burn injuries are quite a common occurrence, but what makes the difference between a burn injury that results in compensation and a burn injury that doesn’t comes down to two things. The first is whose fault the burn injury was, because a claim can only be put forward if someone else has caused it. The second is the quality of your legal representation. Here, we produce a definitive guide to claiming for a burn injury, along with more information about how burn injuries occur, treatments, possible long-term damage and much more.
Burn injury claims
At Legal Helpline, we have a team of dedicated and highly trained personal injury claims specialists who are on hand to answer questions such as how much compensation will I get for a burn and give guidance on how to claim for a burn injury, and we can even start the claim process for you over the phone.
0333 000 0729 is the number you need to call if you’re all ready to claim but reading the guide below should answer any common questions you’re likely to have when it comes to making your claim.
Click on a Section
- A Guide to Claiming Compensation for Burn Injury
- What Are Burn Injuries?
- What Are the Different Degrees of Burns?
- Claiming Compensation for Burn Injury at Work
- Occupations Most at Risk of Suffering Burn Injuries at Work
- Burns Caused by Road Traffic Accidents
- Burns Caused by Medical Negligence
- Burns Suffered in Restaurants, Cafes, Or Other Eateries
- Burns Caused by Faulty Electrical Products
- Who Is Eligible to Make A Burn Injury Compensation Claim
- How to Successfully Claim Compensation with A Burn Injury
- When Claiming for A Burn Injury, What Can I Get Damages For?
- How Compensation for Burn Injuries Is Calculated
- What Level of Compensation Could I Claim for My Burn Injuries?
- No Win No Fee Burn Injury Compensation Claims
- How We Can Help People Who Need to Make A Burn Injury Claim
- Talk to Legal HelpLine Today
- Helpful Resources
A Guide to Claiming Compensation for A Burn Injury
While many people assume a burn is something that is easily treated, the truth is that burns can come in all shapes, sizes and severities. From hot water scalds to full thickness burns, they can cause anything from short-term pain to longstanding health conditions, and even death. This is not to mention the psychological effects that a burn injury can leave a victim with.
However you’ve been burned, if someone else was responsible for the burn, meaning you were injured as a result of their negligence, you could be entitled to make a burn injury compensation claim.
There are many things that claimants must be sure of before making burn injury claims, which s why we have created a handy guide to answer common questions. In the below sections, we’ll cover the types and amounts of compensation it is possible to achieve, as well as talking a little more about common situations in which burn injury compensation claims occur. Alternatively, call our advisors today.
What Are Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries occur when something hot hits the skin. Common scalds and burn definitions are as follows:
Burns – These occur when something dry and hot makes contact with your skin. An example of the cause of a burn would be perhaps a fire or a set of hair straighteners.
Scalds – Steam or hot water could cause scalding to the surface of the skin, which can be extremely painful and even scar. Scalds are actually the most common cause of burns in the UK according to the Children’s Burns Trust, accounting for 43% of these types of injuries.
Immediate effects after a burn or scald – apart from pain – can include the following|:
- Charred/White Skin
- Blistering
- Swelling
- Peeling or red skin
One of the more frightening things about burns is that the level of pain you feel isn’t always a fair reflection of the seriousness of the burn or the level of injury. This is why it is always wise to get a burn injury or scald injury checked out – especially if they are the results of one of the following:
- Electrical Burns
- Chemical Burns
- Deep or large burns
- Charred/white skin
- Burns on any part of the body that causes blistering
As well as this, if smoke inhalation has taken place, or if fumes have been inhaled, you should always seek medical attention.
What Are the Different Degrees of Burns?
There are, as we mentioned, different degrees of burns. Here, we explain a little more iin-depth about the severity of burns. It is essential firstly though, to understand the different parts of the skin that can be burned:
Epidermis – This is the outermost layer of your skin
Dermis – A tissue layer beneath the epidermis. It contains sweat glands, nerve endings, hair follicles and capillaries
Subcutis –This is also known as the subcutaneous fat layer, and is the deeper fat and tissue layer
Now you know the definitions, we can explain the levels of burn:
Epidermal (Superficial)– Skin with this type of burn will likely be red and painful and could be swollen, but there will not be blistering.
Dermal (Superficial)– Usually with small blisters, skin will be a paler shade of pink, and it will be painful, the dermis and epidermis will be damaged
Partial Thickness or Deep Dermal– Skin will likely be blotchy and red, will likely go moist or dry, could be painless or painful and will possibly come with blisters and swelling.
Full Thickness – Each layer is subjected to damage. There will likely be no skin remaining in the area as it has been burned so badly. Tissues underneath will be blackened or pale, and what remains of the skin may be waxy or leathery in appearance, but also brown, black or white in appearance with no blistering. It may also be dry.
Claiming Compensation for A Burn Injury at Work
If you’ve been burned at work, whether by working in a catering environment, a workshop or even an office building, you could make a burn injury at work compensation claim.
Common types of work burn injuries can include:
- Scalds
- Thermal burns
- Electrical burns
- Chemical burns
- Frostbite
- Radiation.
They can be caused by anything from a road traffic accident at work to dangerous chemicals or machinery.
Whilst in many cases, these are accidents that could never be foreseen or prevented, they may be down to lack of proper training or negligence of another. Despite whether its an employer or a colleague, if someone else’s fault, this could give you grounds to make a burn at work claim.
If you are claiming against your employer, your claim should not affect your employment in any way. Your employer should have insurance in place to pay out on employee claims as a precaution.
By making a claim, you may prevent the same thing from happening to someone else, so it’s important you don’t hesitate.
Occupations Most at Risk of Suffering Burn Injuries at Work
There are a lot of different occupations at which you could find yourself burnt at work. Here are just a few examples:
- Drivers
- Mechanics
- Healthcare workers
- Cleaners
- Factory Operators
- Beauticians
- Catering staff
- Firefighters
Of course, burn injuries are not limited to these industries, and if you’ve suffered a burn or several burns at work, because of someone’s inaction or action, then speak to Legal Helpline to see if you can claim burn injury compensation.
Burns Caused by Road Traffic Accidents
Burns can be caused by road traffic accidents, as there are many parts of a car that run high temperatures and even become inflamed. For example, when metal is exposed to heat, it can cause it to conduct that heat and if you’ve ever felt the side of a car that has been in the sun, you know how easily this could happen. This is not the only way that a burn can happen in a road traffic accident however. When an air bag is engaged, it acts with explosive force and the substances that make it do this can cause burns to both passengers and drivers. These may not be terrible burns, but they may leave scarring.
Whether these situations apply to you or you’ve been burned in a road traffic accident in another way, we can help.
Burns Caused by Medical Negligence
A common burn claim involves laser or chemical dressings applied incorrectly. However, this is not the only way in which you could suffer a burn injury. In cosmetic settings, we see more and more laser hair removal burn cases, where due care has not been taken and training has been inadequate, causing injury. It is important to ensure that action is taken after this sort of incident, not only to compensate you but to prevent the issue from happening to someone else.
Burns Suffered in Restaurants, Cafes, Or Other Eateries
Workers of catering businesses, commercial kitchens, restaurants and cafés may be at risk of burns from hot food, drinks or cooking utensils. So might customers of these restaurants or cafés.
However you’ve been burned in these types of establishments, you’ll likely be able to make a claim if the owner/operator of the business failed to minimise the hazard where they had ample opportunity to.
Burns Caused by Faulty Electrical Products
Electrocution and electrical burns can occur from a number of different scenarios. If a product doesn’t measure up to legal standards on electrical items, a manufacturer may be seen to be at fault. However, if a person – an employer for example – has failed to maintain that equipment or replace it should it be found to be defective, and you are injured, then your claim might be lodged against the employer. If you’ve been burned by electrical fire or electrocution, then speak to us to see who your claim is against.
Who Is Eligible to Make A Burn Injury Compensation Claim
Anyone injured by burning that was not their fault has the potential to lodge a claim, but some cases are stronger than others. You can launch a claim for yourself, for a minor that you have responsibility for, or even for someone you are dependent on if they have passed away as a result of fatal burn injuries. Obviously, the worse the burn, the more compensation you’d be likely to receive.
The burn injury time limit for claims is 3 years. This is from the day the injury was sustained. There are a few exceptions to this, mainly involving minors whose guardians or parents didn’t lodge claims on their behalf; they will have 36 months from the date they turn 18 to make a burn claim should this be the case.
How to Claim Compensation for A Burn Injury
Initially after a burn injury, you may just be getting through the day to day appointments and treatments. Afterwards, or even during this time, you may begin to feel that it was not fair that you were put in the position you’re in since someone else was responsible for your injury. If so, you may seek burn injury compensation.
If this is the case, we advise you call us to discuss your options. Legally trained staff will assess your case and we can often tell you right away should you have valid burn injury claims. Then, we can pass you onto personal injury solicitors who have experience to deal with burn injury claims and who can then explain in detail what they will do and what you will need to do, which is really not much more than providing any evidence you have, attending a medical appointment and signing a no win no fee document in most cases. Then, you will likely be able to leave the personal injury solicitor to get on with fighting your case. Often, we hear clients tell us the process is a lot less stressful than they thought it would be, which is why our service is so popular.
When Claiming for A Burn Injury, What Can I Get Damages For?
Burn injury compensation can be broken down to certain types of compensation. Understanding what you can claim for and what you can’t is important, as you’re sure to want to know what costs and damages there are available.
Firstly, let’s discuss general damages. Compensation of this type covers personal injury pain and the suffering from the injury and what caused it. It can combine mental and physical damage.
Then we have special damages. Costs you’ve had to bear because of the injury are covered here. These can include any lost money from work if you’ve had time off, or if you have to have further time off in the future because of the specific injury. It can also cover things like costs of prescriptions, as well as travelling to medical appointments you’ve had to do. If you’ve incurred childcare bills because of treatment or need care around the home, these can be covered too. If you’ve incurred a cost you’re not sure will be covered, then the Legal Helpline team can tell you over the phone whether you’ll likely get it back.
How Compensation for Burn Injuries Is Calculated
Compensation for burn injury claims is calculated after a medical assessment by an independent professional. This can often be arranged close by to where you live. You’ll be assessed for both mental and physical damage and the results of this assessment will be the basis for your general damages payment. Other costs will be added to this should you have kept receipts.
How Much Compensation Could I Claim for My Burn Injuries?
The amount of burn injury settlement amount UK received in burn injury cases can vary wildly. It depends not only on the depth and severity of the burn, but also on the costs you’ve incurred and also the psychological damage you’ve incurred too. This is why if you look for a burns compensation calculator, you’re likely to find different amounts, and it may be confusing as to which would fit your situation. In order to make things a little clearer, we have done things a little differently than the traditional personal injury claims calculator. In the illustration below, we’ve put together some typical injuries, compensation amounts and some description of what types of cases come under these brackets.
| Burn Injury Type | Typical Amounts of Compensation | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Facial Scarring | £27,940 to £91,350 | Very Severe |
| Facial Scarring | £16,860 to £45,440 | Less Severe |
| Facial Scarring | £3,710 to £12,900 | Less Significant |
Of course, it wouldn’t be possible to list each and every severity and type of injury and burn claim payout, so the illustration above might not contain something that you’ve been affected by. If this is the case, then we could discuss typical amounts over the phone should you wish to call us. It is essential that you are aware of the fact though, that these are only illustrative figures and your specific case will dictate the level of compensation you’re awarded. The panel of solicitors we provide will always work to secure the highest level possible for your burn though – you can be assured of that.
No Win No Fee Burn Injury Compensation Claims
Making claims for burn injuries doesn’t have to cost you any money upfront. Indeed, it doesn’t have to cost you money if you don’t win your case. No Win No Fee is something that has been around for a number of years and can help facilitate a claim without claimants putting themselves in financial strife to fund it. Luckily, here at Legal Helpline, we can assure you the solicitors we can provide from the panel we work with to you will work on this basis, meaning you only pay for legal fees when your case has successfully resulted in a payout for burn injury compensation. We’d be happy to explain more about this and how it works to you on the phone, and can take you through all the details so that you fully understand how this type of case works.
How We Can Help People Who Need to Make A Burn Injury Claim
If you have questions like ‘how much is my burn claim worth?’ and more, Legal Helpline is the place to turn.
Our friendly advisors will listen to what burn injury you’ve sustained and how you sustained it, as well as advise you of your options. Lastly, they’ll offer to connect you with our panel of personal injury lawyers so that your claim can be started quickly and without fuss.
The burn injury claims process is often easier and smoother than many people would have you believe, and when you use Legal Helpline to begin the process you’ll discover that our years of knowledge and experience mean that you won’t be put under any undue stress at what is obviously a tough time for you.
Talk to Legal HelpLine Today
Are you ready to see if you’re entitled to burn injury compensation? Whatever position you’re in, we’re ready to listen and to advise. We are a specialist personal injury Claims Management Company ready to help you.
If you’re questioning whether burn injury claims suit your situation or you’re unsure of whether you’re within the personal injury claims time limits, we offer free consultations. Should you want to quickly and easily get in touch with a personal injury solicitor that can handle your burn injury claim, we can easily help with this too.
What we can promise is that we will do everything we can to assist you and support you, whatever stage of the process you’re in. Why not call 0333 000 0729 to begin? Alternatively, click on this link to find other ways to get in touch.
Burn Injury Claims FAQs
Here are some popular questions about claiming burn injury compensation.
Can I make a burn injury compensation claim?
If you were burned due to the negligence of a third-party owing you a duty of care, you may be entitled to compensation. Providing their failings or dangerous behaviour resulted in your injury that they could have prevented, you should have grounds to make a claim.
What might my burn injury compensation claim be worth?
It’s impossible to say what your burn injury compensation claim could be worth, as each case is valued according to its unique circumstances. For a free estimate, please speak to Legal Helpline today.
Helpful Resources
We do feel we have covered the main questions you might have about burn injury claims, but there is obviously always room for extra research. The links below might be interesting to have a look at too.
Burn at work – More information– Should you have specific questions about burning yourself at work, or how your employer could be responsible, our guide should assist.
Car Accident Burns– More information on car accidents is found here.
HSE – Burns and Scalds– The HSE have produced guidance and information about this type of injury. You can find it here.
Death By Medical Negligence – A loved one’s fatal burns may have been the result of inadequate medical care. See if you could still claim on their behalf.
100% Of No Win No Fee Compensation – Find out if you keep the full settlement.
Other Guides On Claims We Can Advise And Support
Thanks for reading our burn injury claims guide.
