A burn injury can leave more than just physical scarring — it can disrupt your entire life. Misconceptions about the legal process, insurance companies, and medical expenses make many burn injury victims hesitant to file a personal injury lawsuit — leaving them without the financial compensation they need to move forward.
Whether caused by car accidents, radiation exposure, or medical malpractice, burn injuries often require extensive medical treatment and result in lost wages. Believing false information can stop victims from seeking the fair compensation they deserve, prolonging their suffering and creating unnecessary financial stress.
If you’ve suffered serious burns due to someone else’s negligence, understanding the truth can protect your rights. This article will expose the most common myths about burn injury lawsuits while shedding light on personal injury law— helping you make informed decisions and recover the maximum compensation possible.
Myth 1: You Can Only File a Burn Injury Lawsuit for Third or Fourth Degree Burns
Understanding Burn Injury Severity:
Second-degree burns damage both the outer layer of skin and underlying tissue, third-degree burns destroy deeper layers of skin, and fourth-degree burns affect muscles, tendons, and bones — all of which can cause severe pain, physical scarring, and long-term medical care.
Many burn injury victims believe that only third-degree burns or fourth-degree burns warrant a personal injury lawsuit. However, this myth can prevent individuals with second-degree burns or even radiation burns from seeking compensation. Burn injuries of any severity can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, especially if they cause physical scarring, ongoing medical care, or chronic pain.
The civil justice system protects injury victims suffering from all types of burns.
Even less severe burns can result in:
Extensive medical treatment
Long-term medical expenses
Emotional trauma like post-traumatic stress disorder
Time away from work resulting in lost wages
If your injury resulted from another party’s negligence, you have the right to pursue fair compensation — regardless of the burn’s degree. Seeking prompt medical care and documenting all medical records strengthens your case.
Myth 2: Insurance Companies Will Offer Fair Settlements Automatically
One of the most damaging misconceptions suggests insurance companies automatically offer fair settlements to injury victims. Insurers prioritize minimizing payouts over covering medical expenses or lost wages. Insurance adjusters often pressure injured parties into accepting lowball offers that don’t reflect the full extent of physical injuries, medical bills, or future medical expenses.
Real-life examples show how insurers undervalue medical expenses or delay injury claims. An injured person suffering from radiation burns or severe burns may receive a settlement offer that doesn’t cover ongoing medical care, physical scarring, or lost income. Understanding your legal rights, documenting medical treatment, and gathering medical records help injury victims seek fair compensation.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit promptly improves the chances of recovering compensation that reflects the true impact of your injuries sustained.
Myth 3:You Must Wait Until You Fully Recover to File a Claim
Waiting to file a personal injury claim until you’ve completed medical treatment may seem logical — but this delay can hurt your case. The legal system imposes strict deadlines known as statutes of limitations, which vary depending on your location and the circumstances of your injury.
Key reasons to file your claim promptly:
Preserve crucial medical evidence
Ensure access to witnesses while their memories are fresh
Allow your lawyer to calculate future medical expenses and lost wages
Even if you’re still receiving treatment, your burn injury attorney can estimate future damages and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
Myth 4:You Can’t File a Lawsuit if Your Injury Happened at Work
Many burn injury victims believe they are limited to a workers’ compensation claim if they were injured on the job. While workers’ compensation may cover basic medical expenses and a portion of lost wages, it doesn’t always provide full financial compensation for:
Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma
Long-term disability
However, you may still be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third party, such as:
Equipment manufacturers
Property owners
Contractors
If a third party’s negligence caused your injuries — such as defective equipment or unsafe working conditions — you may file a personal injury lawsuit alongside your workers’ compensation claim. Third-party claims allow injured persons to recover damages for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and future medical expenses.
Myth 5: Burn Injury Lawsuits Always Take Years to Settle
While some personal injury cases can take time, not every burn injury lawsuit results in years of litigation. Many injury claims reach a favorable outcome through out-of-court settlements.
Factors that affect the length of your claim include:
The severity of your physical injuries
The willingness of insurance companies to negotiate
The complexity of medical evidence and legal complexities
Myth 6: You Don’t Need a Lawyer for a Burn Injury Claim
Some injured parties believe they can handle their personal injury claim without legal help — but this decision often leads to unfavorable outcomes. Burn injury cases involve legal complexities and medical evidence that require specialized knowledge.
An experienced personal injury lawyer helps victims by:
Investigating the cause of the burn injury
Gathering medical records and other evidence to prove your burn injury claim
Negotiating with insurance companies
Calculating future medical expenses and lost income
Most burn injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless your case is won. This allows burn injury victims to access quality legal representation without upfront costs.
Take Action to Secure Your Compensation
Don’t let myths prevent you from pursuing the fair compensation you deserve. Whether you’re facing medical bills, lost wages, or chronic pain, the law protects your right to seek compensation.
At Bourassa Law Group, our experienced burn injury lawyers understand the legal complexities of burn injury cases. We fight tirelessly to help injured persons recover maximum compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation — and let us guide you through every step of the legal process.
1-800-870-8910