Burn Injury Lawyer Boca Raton, FL

Serious burns are among the most painful injuries a person can suffer, and recovery can involve months of wound care, skin grafts, and therapy. Many burns are preventable and happen because someone else failed to act safely. A burn injury lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can investigate how the burn happened, identify everyone who may be responsible, and pursue compensation for medical care, scarring, and lost income. Jacobson Injury Firm represents burn victims throughout Boca Raton and southern Palm Beach County. Contact the firm for a free consultation.

How Burn Injury Claims Work in Florida

Most burn injury claims in Florida are based on negligence. The injured person must show that another person or company owed a duty of care, failed to meet it, and caused the burn and the resulting losses. A driver who causes a fiery crash, or a landlord who ignores a faulty water heater, may be liable under this standard.

Claims involving a dangerous product can follow product liability rules. In those cases, a manufacturer or seller may be responsible for a product that was defectively designed, defectively made, or sold without adequate warnings. The firm’s guide to liability in Florida injury cases explains how responsibility is assigned.

The severity of the burn also shapes the claim. Doctors classify burns by how deeply they damage the skin and the tissue underneath. According to StatPearls, a medical reference published by the National Library of Medicine, the main categories are:

• First-degree (superficial) burns affect only the outer layer of skin. They are red and painful but usually heal without scarring.
• Second-degree (partial-thickness) burns extend into the deeper layer of skin and often blister. Deeper partial-thickness burns may need surgery and can scar.
• Third-degree (full-thickness) burns destroy the full depth of the skin. They can look white, brown, or charred, and they may feel less painful because nerve endings are damaged.
• Fourth-degree burns extend through the skin into fat, muscle, or bone.

Deep burns often require skin grafts, repeated surgeries, and long-term scar treatment. The depth of a burn may not be fully clear for several days after the injury.

Where Burn Injuries Happen in Boca Raton

Burn injuries in Boca Raton happen on busy roads, in homes and condominiums, in restaurant kitchens, and on construction sites. Serious crashes on Glades Road, Federal Highway, and I-95 can lead to vehicle fires or contact with hot engine parts and fluids.

Boca Raton Fire Rescue Services operates eight fire stations and provides emergency medical services and fire investigations. Its reports can become key evidence in a burn case. Severely burned patients in south Palm Beach County may be taken first to Delray Medical Center, the area’s Level I trauma center.

For specialized burn care, the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Burn Center is verified by the American Burn Association and treats patients from Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, and Palm Beach counties. The center is located in the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami and treats both adults and children.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Jacobson Injury Firm handles burn injury claims arising from many causes, including:

• Vehicle fires. Car and truck accidents can cause fuel fires, battery fires, and contact burns from engine parts.
• Hot water, steam, and hot liquids can cause deep burns in seconds. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends setting water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to help prevent scald burns.
• Electrical burns. Exposed wiring, downed power lines, and faulty equipment can cause electrical burns. OSHA identifies electrical burns as a serious hazard for workers.
• Chemical burns. Pool chemicals, industrial cleaners, and workplace chemicals can damage skin, eyes, and airways.
• Defective products. Exploding batteries, faulty appliances, space heaters, and flammable clothing can all cause serious burns.
• Restaurant and commercial kitchen accidents. Hot oil, grills, and spills can injure workers and customers.
• Fires in apartments and rental properties. Missing smoke detectors and faulty electrical systems may make a property owner liable.

What Compensation Can a Burn Injury Victim Recover?

An injured person may seek compensation for:

• Emergency care, hospital stays, and burn unit treatment
• Skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and future procedures
• Physical and occupational therapy
• Compression garments, scar treatment, and wound care supplies
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering and mental anguish
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Emotional distress, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress

Burn victims often need care for years after the injury, so future medical costs are a major part of many claims. The firm’s guide to damages in Florida explains these categories further.

Who Is Responsible for a Burn Injury?

More than one party may share responsibility for a burn. A product manufacturer, a property owner, a contractor, and a driver could each play a role. Identifying every responsible party matters because each may carry separate insurance, and a burn injury lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can investigate each possible source of recovery.

On-the-job burns are often covered by workers’ compensation. However, a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer or another contractor, may still be liable in a separate injury claim.

Florida’s comparative fault rule also applies in most cases. Under Florida Statute 768.81, a person found more than 50% at fault for their own injuries cannot recover, and a smaller share of fault reduces the award. Insurers sometimes argue that a burn victim misused a product or ignored a warning to shift blame.

What Should You Do After a Burn Injury in Boca Raton?

The steps taken after a burn can protect both health and a future claim:

• Get medical care right away. Burns can worsen over the first few days, and early treatment reduces the risk of infection.
• Keep the product or item involved. A defective appliance, battery, or heater is critical evidence and should not be thrown away or returned.
• Photograph the injury and the scene. Take pictures of the burns as they heal, along with the location and any equipment involved.
• Request reports. Fire rescue, police, and workplace incident reports can document how the burn occurred.
• Avoid statements to insurers. Speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to an insurance company.

The firm’s page on evidence in Florida injury cases explains what to keep and why.

How Long Do You Have to File a Burn Injury Claim in Florida?

Under Florida Statute 95.11(5)(a), most negligence claims must be filed within two years. Florida shortened this deadline from four years to two for claims arising after March 24, 2023.

Claims based on a product’s design, manufacture, or sale may be subject to a different period in section 95.11(3). Florida’s statute of repose for products can also bar many product claims when the harm happens more than 12 years after the product was first sold, with some exceptions. The firm’s overview of the Florida statute of limitations covers these deadlines.

No Fee Unless We Win

Jacobson Injury Firm handles burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis. There is no upfront cost, and no attorney fee is owed unless the firm recovers compensation.

Clients work directly with attorney Adam Jacobson, who is licensed in Florida, New York, Connecticut, and Illinois. He prepares each case as if it may go to trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a burn injury claim worth?

The value depends on the depth and size of the burn, the need for surgery, scarring, lost income, and the available insurance. Severe burns that require grafting or cause permanent disfigurement generally lead to larger claims.

Can I file a claim if I was burned at work?

Workers’ compensation usually covers on-the-job burns. If a third party, such as a product manufacturer or outside contractor, contributed to the injury, a separate injury claim may also be possible.

What if a defective product caused the burn?

The manufacturer, distributor, or seller may be liable. Keeping the product, its packaging, and the receipt helps experts determine what went wrong.

Can I recover damages for scarring?

Yes. Permanent scarring and disfigurement can be part of a burn injury claim, along with the cost of scar treatment and reconstructive surgery.

How much does a burn injury lawyer cost?

Jacobson Injury Firm works on a contingency fee basis. Clients pay nothing upfront, and there is no attorney fee unless money is recovered.

Contact a Burn Injury Lawyer in Boca Raton, FL

A serious burn can affect a person’s health, appearance, and livelihood for years. A burn injury lawyer in Boca Raton, FL can identify who is responsible and pursue compensation for both current and future needs. Call (561) 567-7163 or contact Jacobson Injury Firm to schedule a free consultation.