Severe Burn Injuries

A severe burn can change daily life for months or years, through surgery, therapy, scarring and the emotional weight of what happened. Burns come from flames, hot liquids, chemicals, electricity and smoke, and they happen in homes, on job sites, on the road and from products that fail. A burn does not by itself mean anyone was at fault. A burn injury lawyer looks at what caused the fire or exposure, who controlled the conditions, and whether the law allows a claim against someone other than, or in addition to, an employer's workers' compensation coverage.

How severe burn injuries happen

The most common causes of burns are fire or flame, followed by scalds from steam or hot liquids, contact with hot objects, electricity and chemicals1. Home and industrial fires, car crashes and faulty space heaters, furnaces or industrial equipment are among the events that can lead to a burn1. A person can also injure the airway by breathing in smoke, steam, superheated air or chemical fumes1.

The settings that come up in burn injury claims tend to fall into a few groups:

• Fires in apartments, rental homes, hotels and other buildings, including fires linked to wiring, heating or blocked exits
• Unsafe conditions on someone else's property, such as scalding water, exposed wiring or poorly stored fuel
• Workplace exposures to flames, hot surfaces, energized equipment or industrial chemicals
• Vehicle crashes that lead to a fire, a fuel spill or contact with hot engine parts
• Household products that overheat, ignite or release hot contents, such as appliances, batteries and pressure cookers
• Gas leaks and explosions at homes, businesses or job sites

Fires at home remain a major source. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that residential building fires in 2024 caused 9,225 injuries and 2,975 deaths across the country8. Burns are just as possible outside the home. The World Health Organization notes that workplace hazards may include heat, flames, chemicals, electricity and inadequate safety procedures or protective equipment3. If your burn happened on a work site, our page on construction site injuries covers how job-site claims are reviewed.

Types of burns and what makes a burn severe

A burn is an injury to the skin or other tissue caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction or radiation3. Doctors usually describe a burn by its cause, how deep it goes and how much of the body it covers. Each of those details affects treatment.

• Thermal burns come from flames, hot liquids, steam or hot objects3.
• Chemical burns come from contact with acids, alkalis and other harmful substances. The American Burn Association recommends burn center consultation for all chemical injuries2.
• Electrical burns can look small on the skin while causing serious damage inside, especially to the heart, muscles or brain5. A person can also be hurt in a fall after contact with electricity5.
• Inhalation injury happens when smoke, steam, superheated air or fumes damage the airway. The American Burn Association recommends burn center consultation for any suspected inhalation injury12.

Depth matters. Superficial burns affect only the outer layer of skin. Partial-thickness burns reach the layer underneath and often blister. Full-thickness burns damage the deep layers, and the skin may be numb1. Pain is not a reliable guide, because the most serious burns can be painless1.

How doctors judge burn severity

Depth

Full-thickness burns and partial-thickness burns covering 10% or more of the body are among the injuries the American Burn Association lists for immediate burn center consultation2.

Extent

Clinicians estimate total body surface area (TBSA) with tools such as the Rule of Nines. A person's palm is roughly 1% of their body surface2.

Location

Deep burns of the face, hands, feet, genitals or over joints call for specialized evaluation even when the area is small2.

Related injuries

The American Burn Association also lists burns in people who have other traumatic injuries or other health conditions for immediate burn center consultation2.

Treatment, scarring and life after a major burn

Many people with major burns are treated at a burn center. These units bring surgeons, nurses, therapists and counselors together. Their work runs from fluid resuscitation and wound care in the first days to surgery, rehabilitation, pressure garments and mental health support later on6. Treatment is planned for each person, and recovery varies widely.

• Surgery to remove damaged tissue and close wounds, often with skin grafts taken from a healthy donor site on the body46
• Repeated operations for grafting or reconstruction36
• Physical and occupational therapy to regain movement and the ability to do daily tasks6
• Scar and skin care, since burn survivors may be more sensitive to hot and cold and need to protect healing skin from the sun18
• Contractures that limit movement, along with lasting pain and itching7
• Counseling and peer support for distress, sleep problems and changes in appearance618

The emotional side of a burn is real and well documented. A 2026 review of research on adult burn survivors describes burns as a lasting condition with physical, psychological and social effects. It reports that depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder are common, that chronic pain, itching, contractures and scarring often affect quality of life, and that return to work is often delayed7. The same review notes that recovery does not follow a straight line7. Your own doctors are the right people to speak to your outlook.

No one should have to carry the cost of a preventable burn alone, and no one should be blamed for a burn before the facts are known.

How a burn injury lawyer looks at fault

A fire, an explosion or a serious burn tells you that something went wrong. It does not, by itself, tell you who is legally responsible. Some fires start without anyone being careless. Others trace back to a choice, such as ignoring a gas smell or skipping an inspection.

Arizona uses pure comparative fault. If a jury finds that the injured person was partly at fault, the claim is not barred, but the damages are reduced by that person's share15. Other states use different rules, and some bar recovery once the injured person's share reaches a set level.

Workers' compensation and third-party burn claims in Arizona

Many severe burns happen on the job. OSHA's electrical standards exist to protect workers from shock, electrocution, fires and explosions, and the agency lists contact with power lines and missing ground-fault protection among the most frequent causes of electrical injuries10. An OSHA citation can be useful evidence, but it is a separate matter from a civil claim. A violation does not automatically prove that a particular party caused your injury, and the absence of a citation does not rule out a claim.

Arizona rules for workplace burns

Exclusive remedy

Workers' compensation is generally the exclusive remedy against the employer and co-workers acting in the scope of employment. A narrow exception covers wilful misconduct, defined as an act done knowingly and purposely with the direct object of injuring another11.

Third parties

If someone outside your employer caused the injury, such as a contractor, a property owner or an equipment maker, you may pursue a claim against that party as well12.

One-year rule

If the worker does not file the third-party action within one year after it accrues, the claim is deemed assigned to the workers' compensation carrier, which may later reassign it to the worker12.

Carrier lien

The carrier has a lien on a third-party recovery for benefits it paid, and some settlements need its written approval12.

Other states handle workplace injuries differently. A third-party lawsuit, unlike workers' compensation, requires proof that the other party was legally responsible.

Who may be responsible for a burn injury

Depending on the facts, a claim review may look at the role of:

• Property owners and landlords
• Property managers and hotels
• Contractors and subcontractors
• Electricians and gas or utility contractors
• Product manufacturers and distributors
• Retailers and importers
• At-fault drivers and trucking companies
• Equipment rental and maintenance companies
• Employers, in the narrow cases the law allows
• Public entities that own or maintain property

Responsibility is never presumed. A burn on a rental property may raise premises liability questions about notice and repairs, while a burn after a collision may be part of a car accident claim. Product hazards are a separate line of inquiry. In October 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission warned consumers to stop using the 6-quart Power Quick Pot pressure cooker, model Y6D-36, saying its lid can open while pressurized and that it had received 24 reports of hot contents being expelled and causing serious burns9. A CPSC warning is an agency safety notice, not a court finding. Our page on pressure cooker explosions covers those claims in more detail.

Evidence that matters in a burn injury lawsuit

Fire scenes are cleared and damaged products discarded quickly, so keep what you can, as early as you can. Do not repair or return a product that may have caused the burn.

Records and evidence to keep

The scene and the source

• Fire department and fire marshal reports
• Police or crash reports
• Photos and video of the scene, the source of heat and your injuries over time
• The product, its packaging, manual and receipt, kept unaltered
• Names and contact details of witnesses

Medical records

• Emergency, burn center and surgical records
• Therapy notes and pressure garment prescriptions
• Counseling or mental health records
• Medical bills and pharmacy receipts

Work and daily life

• Incident reports and OSHA records for a workplace burn
• Workers' compensation claim papers
• Pay stubs and notes from employers about missed work
• A journal of pain, sleep, limits and appointments

Losses a burn injury claim may address

The WHO notes that severe burns can mean long hospital stays, repeated surgery and rehabilitation, and that survivors may face disability, scarring, pain, lost income and psychological effects3. The categories of loss in a claim often follow those same lines:

• Past and future medical care, including surgery, therapy and scar treatment
• Lost wages and reduced ability to earn
• Pain, emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement and lasting physical limitations
• Help at home, travel to treatment and changes to a home or vehicle
• Time family members spend providing care

Which losses can be recovered, and in what amount, depends on the facts, the evidence and the law of the state. No figure can be promised. When a burn is fatal, families may have a wrongful death claim, which follows its own rules.

When to talk to a burn injury attorney

You may want to speak with a burn injury lawyer if:

• You were treated at a burn center or needed surgery or grafting
• The burn happened at work and a contractor, property owner or equipment maker may be involved
• A product overheated, exploded or released hot contents
• A fire started in a building where safety systems, wiring or exits may have failed
• An insurer is asking for a recorded statement or offering to settle early
• A family member died from burn or smoke injuries

For a broader look at Arizona injury claims, see our main personal injury page.

Filing deadlines for a burn injury lawsuit

In Arizona, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues. When a person dies from the injury, the wrongful death action is treated as accruing at the death13. Product liability actions follow the same two-year period, and a twelve-year limit from the product's first sale can apply unless the claim is based on the maker's or seller's negligence or an express warranty14.

Claims against public entities move faster. A notice of claim generally must be filed within 180 days, and it must state the facts and a specific settlement amount16. The lawsuit itself generally must be filed within one year17. For workplace burns, the one-year third-party rule described above can also come into play12. Other states set different deadlines and exceptions, so the clock where you were injured may be shorter or longer.

Tell Us Your Story →

What happens after you contact CBW Law

How a burn injury claim review works

1. You tell us what happened

   Share where and when the burn happened, what caused it and where you were treated. Rough dates are fine.

2. We look at the facts and deadlines

   We review what you send and identify the rules and time limits that may apply, including any workers' compensation issues.

3. We gather records with your permission

   That can include fire reports, medical records, product information and workplace documents.

4. We explain what we see

   We tell you plainly whether we can help and what options may exist. Contacting us does not mean we will take the case, and you decide what to do next.

Plain English

Medical, Health & Insurance

Burn care and claim paperwork use technical terms. Here are some you may see.

Burn depth and size

Superficial burn

A burn of the outer skin layer only, once called first-degree1.

Partial-thickness burn

A burn into the layer below the surface, often with blisters, once called second-degree1.

Full-thickness burn

A burn through the deep skin layers, once called third-degree. The skin may be numb1.

TBSA

Total body surface area, the share of the body that is burned, used to judge severity and plan care2.

Treatment and recovery

Skin graft

Healthy skin moved by surgery from a donor site to cover a wound4.

Excision

Surgical removal of burned tissue, often before grafting6.

Contracture

Tightening of healed skin or tissue over a joint that limits movement1.

Pressure garments

Fitted garments that burn centers may provide as part of outpatient follow-up care6.

Inhalation injury

Damage to the airway or lungs from smoke, heat or fumes1.

Insurance and billing

Workers' compensation

Benefits for work injuries that, in Arizona, are generally the exclusive remedy against the employer11.

Lien

A right to be repaid from a recovery. In Arizona, a workers' compensation carrier has a lien on third-party recoveries for benefits it paid12.

Explanation of benefits (EOB)

A statement from a health plan showing what was billed, paid and owed for care.

Legal terms

Third-party claim

A claim against someone other than your employer, such as a contractor or product maker12.

Comparative fault

A rule that reduces damages by the injured person's share of fault. In Arizona it does not bar the claim15.

Notice of claim

A required written claim to a public entity, due within 180 days in Arizona16.

Statute of limitations

The deadline to file a lawsuit, generally two years for personal injury in Arizona13.

Questions

Frequently asked severe burn injury questions

Short answers to questions burn survivors and families often ask.

What makes a burn a severe burn?

Doctors look at depth, size, location and related injuries. Full-thickness burns, partial-thickness burns covering 10% or more of the body, deep burns of the face, hands, feet, genitals or joints, and chemical, electrical or inhalation injuries are all on the American Burn Association's list for burn center consultation2. Only a medical provider can assess a specific burn.

When should someone call 911 for a burn?

MedlinePlus advises calling 911 if a burn is about the size of a palm or larger, is full-thickness, is caused by chemicals or electricity, if the person breathed in smoke or shows signs of shock, or if you are not sure how serious it is1. When in doubt, get emergency care first.

Does a burn mean someone else was negligent?

No. A burn shows that an injury happened, not that someone is legally responsible. A burn injury claim depends on whether a person or company owed a duty, fell short of it and caused the harm, or whether a product was defective. That takes investigation, often with expert help.

I was burned at work. Can I sue my employer?

In Arizona, workers' compensation is generally the exclusive remedy against an employer, with a narrow exception for wilful misconduct meant to injure11. You may still have a claim against a third party, such as a contractor, property owner or equipment maker12. A workplace burn lawyer can look at who else was involved.

Can I file a claim if I was partly at fault?

In Arizona, yes, in many cases. Under pure comparative fault, a claim is not barred, but damages are reduced by the injured person's share of fault15. Other states handle shared fault differently, and some bar recovery past a certain point.

What should I do with a product that caused a burn?

Keep it, along with any packaging, manual and receipt, and do not try to fix or test it. Store it somewhere safe. Check whether the CPSC has issued a recall or warning9. A product liability attorney may arrange expert testing under a careful protocol.

How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in Arizona?

Most personal injury and product liability actions must be filed within two years after the claim accrues1314. Claims against public entities need a notice of claim within 180 days and a lawsuit within one year1617. Workplace third-party claims have their own one-year assignment rule12. Other states set different deadlines.

Do burns affect mental health?

They can. Research on burn survivors reports high rates of depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, particularly early after the injury7. The American Burn Association lists sleep problems and body image among common concerns after a burn18. Burn centers often offer counseling, social work and peer support6. Effects vary from person to person.

What if a family member died in a fire?

Families may have a wrongful death claim. In Arizona, the two-year period for a death claim runs from the date of death13. A fire death raises the same questions about cause and responsibility as an injury claim, and the investigation often starts with the fire report.

Can CBW Law help with a burn that happened outside Arizona?

The firm is based in Arizona and reviews matters from clients nationwide. Each state has its own deadlines, fault rules and workers' compensation laws, so the place where the burn happened matters. Telling us early helps identify which rules apply.

Tell Us Your Story

Severe burns can come from fires, products, unsafe property, workplaces and crashes. Whether anyone is legally responsible depends on the evidence, and deadlines may be short.

If you or someone you love is living with a serious burn, we would like to hear what happened. CBW Law can review your situation and explain what we see, at your own pace.

Tell Us Your Story →Call (800) 476-2416

This page is general information about severe burn injuries. It is not legal or medical advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. An accident, an injury or a loss does not, by itself, establish that anyone was negligent or legally responsible, and the law differs from state to state. No outcome can be promised in any case.