Burn Injuries Explained: Causes, Treatment Options, and Legal Aspects

Burn injuries can be life-altering, leaving victims with physical scars, emotional trauma, and significant financial burdens. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence in New Jersey, understanding your legal rights is crucial. 

This guide will cover the causes of burn injuries, treatment options, and the legal aspects of seeking compensation in New Jersey.

Types of Burn Injuries

Burns vary in severity, and medical professionals categorize them into four degrees:

• First-Degree Burns: Affect only the outer layer of skin, causing redness and minor pain. These burns typically heal without medical intervention.
• Second-degree Burns: Damage to both the outer and underlying skin layers, often leading to blisters, severe pain, and swelling.
• Third-degree burns: Destroy all skin layers and can affect tissues beneath. The burned area may appear charred or white, and nerve damage can result in numbness.
• Fourth-Degree Burns: The most severe, extending into muscles, tendons, and bones. These burns require extensive medical treatment and may be life-threatening.

Burn severity can impact not only physical health but also long-term quality of life. Many severe burns require skin grafting, rehabilitation, and extensive medical care, leading to costly medical bills and lost wages. Emotional distress from scarring and mobility limitations is also common among burn victims.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can result from various situations, often due to negligence or unsafe conditions. The most common causes include:

Workplace Accidents

Industries such as construction, manufacturing, and electrical work pose a high risk of burns. Chemical spills, electrical faults, and explosions are frequent causes. Employers are required by the New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health Act (NJOSHA) to maintain safe working environments. Workers’ compensation benefits may be available for victims, but in cases of gross negligence, injured workers may pursue additional damages through a personal injury claim.

House and Apartment Fires

Faulty wiring, defective appliances, and landlord negligence can lead to devastating fires. In New Jersey, landlords must comply with fire safety codes (N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3), including providing smoke detectors and maintaining fire exits. If a fire occurs due to a landlord’s failure to meet these requirements, tenants may be entitled to compensation for injuries, medical expenses, and property damage.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

Severe crashes can lead to fires or chemical burns from airbag deployment. Victims of accidents caused by another party’s negligence can seek compensation under New Jersey’s Comparative Negligence Law (N.J.S.A. 2A:15-5.1). This law allows injured individuals to recover damages as long as they are not more than 50% at fault for the accident.

Defective Products

Malfunctioning electronics, poorly designed kitchen appliances, and faulty heating systems have caused serious burns. New Jersey follows strict product liability laws (N.J.S.A. 2A:58C-2), allowing injured consumers to hold manufacturers accountable. If a product causes burns due to a defect in design, manufacturing, or a lack of warning labels, victims can file a lawsuit for damages.

Scalding Injuries

Boiling water, steam, or hot liquids can cause burns, often in restaurants, daycare centers, and nursing homes. Property owners and caretakers must prevent hazardous conditions. Failure to regulate water heater temperatures or supervise hot liquids around vulnerable individuals can be considered negligence.

Burn Injury Treatment Options

Treatment for burns depends on the severity but may include:

Immediate First Aid

• Cool the burn under lukewarm running water for 10-20 minutes.
• Avoid ice, as it can cause further skin damage.
• Cover the burn with a sterile, non-stick dressing.
• Do not apply ointments unless advised by a doctor.

Medical Treatments

• Pain Management: Prescription painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications.
• Skin Grafts: Used for severe burns where the skin is too damaged to heal naturally.
• Physical Therapy: Prevents mobility loss and helps regain function.
• Psychological Support: Therapy for PTSD and emotional recovery is common among burn victims.
• Infection Prevention: Burns compromise the skin’s natural barrier, increasing the risk of infection. Patients with severe burns often require antibiotics and hospitalization to prevent sepsis.

Recovery timelines vary significantly. Minor burns may heal within days, while more severe cases require months or even years of treatment and rehabilitation.

Legal Aspects of Burn Injuries in New Jersey

If your burn injury resulted from another party’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Here’s what you need to know about New Jersey burn injury laws:

Statute of Limitations

Under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, burn injury victims have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. For minors, the clock starts on their 18th birthday. Missing this deadline may prevent victims from recovering compensation.

Compensation Available

Victims may be eligible for:

• Medical Expenses: Including future treatment and rehabilitation costs.
• Lost Wages: If the injury prevents you from working.
• Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional distress.
• Punitive Damages: If gross negligence or intentional harm is proven.

Proving Negligence

To succeed in a burn injury lawsuit, you must prove:

• Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal obligation to act safely.
• Breach of Duty: The defendant acted negligently or recklessly.
• Causation: Their actions directly led to the burn injury.
• Damages: You suffered physical, emotional, or financial harm as a result.

Consult with a Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to negligence, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and the compensation you deserve.

At Rosengard Law Group, we fight for burn injury victims across New Jersey. Our legal team provides: 

• Free Case Evaluations
• No Upfront Fees – We only get paid if we win your case
• Aggressive Representation to maximize your compensation

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call Rosengard Law Group today at (856) 284-6446 or schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.