Suffering a burn injury can be life-changing. It is physically painful and psychologically distressing.

If you have suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence or your injury was not treated correctly by healthcare professionals, our injury solicitors can help.

Some common burn injuries include:

• Electrical burns;
• Burns caused by scalding hot liquid;
• Chemical burns, usually in the workplace;
• Explosions and fires;
• Radiation burns

There are also, tragically, occasions when burns result from an acid attack. If this has happened, we are experienced in pursuing criminal injury cases and be reassured that we approach these types of cases with empathy and understanding.

How are burns classified?

• First-degree (superficial) burns – affecting only the outer layer of skin, the epidermis;
• Second-degree (partial thickness) burns – affecting the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of the skin;
• Third-degree (full-thickness) burns – destroying the epidermis and dermis.

Typically medical professionals will further categorise burns by looking at the percentage of body surface affected.

Our lawyers handle all types of burns cases involving first, second and third-degree burns.

Why use Lester Aldridge for your claim?

We are highly experienced in progressing burns claims, and we understand that when you survive a burns injury, it is not just the physical injuries you are left with. There is scarring, sometimes significant and leading to extensive surgeries, ongoing rehabilitation needs that are essential for your recovery and, of course, the psychological aspect of healing.

Other injuries that can occur as a result of burn injuries:

• Amputation
• Respiratory damage from smoke inhalation

Are there any time limits for a burn injury claim?

With claims for personal injury, you generally have three years from the date the incident took place in which to bring your claim. For clinical negligence claims, you have three years from the date of knowledge that there has been negligence. However, a child under 18 has until they are 21 to bring the claim as the three years starts from their 18th birthday.

Examples of cases successfully concluded by our burn injury lawyers: 

• A young soldier was seriously burnt when the scrub caught fire during a firing expedition. Treated at Birmingham. David Healy acted, and the client received a 7-figure settlement.
• A gas explosion caused 90% burns (The client survived, albeit severely injured). Treated at Swansea. David Healy acted, and the client received a 7-figure settlement.
• A soldier falling down a lit burn pit. David Healy acted, and the client received a 7-figure settlement.
• A man in his 60s working in maintenance at a swimming pool. He suffered severe burns to the face from swimming pool chemicals, causing virtually complete blindness. The client needed adapted accommodation, various equipment (including IT) and care. He could not return to gainful employment, and his loss of earnings was received in full. 7-figure settlement less contributory negligence. John is happy to discuss his case and provide an oral reference. 
• Explosion at sea. Melanie Lidstone-Land acted. 
• A marine involved in an evacuation from a warship which went wrong. Melanie Lidstone-Land acted.
• Chemical burns sustained in the workplace. Melanie Lidstone-Land acted.
• A patient who tragically set fire to herself in a mental health unit. Melanie Lidstone-Land acted. The patient suffered burns across her entire torso, neck, and back of her head. The case took a long time and involved supporting the client and the client’s family. Tragically, when the case was concluded, the client could not recover psychologically and took her own life a year later. 
• We have also acted for clients whose injuries were less severe. Examples include a little boy burned by food in a school canteen. Another example is a well-known fast-food restaurant employee who slipped on a greasy floor. As he tried to recover from the floor, he put his hand into a full deep fat fryer with no protective guard.