San Francisco Burn Injury Lawyer

If your burn injury was caused by someone else’s negligence—whether from a defective product, a landlord’s failure to maintain safe conditions, a car accident on the Bay Bridge approach, or a workplace hazard—you likely have a valid claim. We evaluate liability, the severity of your injuries, and available insurance coverage during a free consultation. Most burn injury cases involve clear negligence that shifts financial responsibility to the at-fault party.

Under California Code of Civil Procedure §335.1, you generally have two years from the date of your burn injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your injury involved a government entity—such as a MUNI bus fire or a hazard on city-owned property in the Tenderloin or SoMa—you must file a government tort claim within six months. Missing these deadlines can permanently bar your right to compensation, so contact us as soon as possible.

Liability depends on how the injury occurred—a negligent driver, a property owner who failed to fix faulty wiring, a product manufacturer whose appliance overheated, or an employer who violated Cal/OSHA safety standards can all be held responsible. In some cases, multiple parties share liability, and we pursue all of them simultaneously. California’s comparative fault rules allow us to recover damages even if you bear some degree of responsibility for what happened.

Burn injury victims in California can recover economic damages such as medical expenses, future treatment costs, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, disfigurement, and emotional distress. Severe burns often require skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and long-term rehabilitation, all of which we account for when calculating your full damages. In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available.

We handle burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win or settle your case. There are no upfront retainer fees or hourly charges. Our fee is a percentage of the recovery, so our financial interests are fully aligned with yours from day one.

Seek emergency medical care first—burn injuries can worsen rapidly, and proper documentation begins at the hospital. Preserve all evidence you can: photograph the scene, the hazard that caused the burn, and your injuries at every stage of healing. Report the incident to the property owner, employer, or relevant authority, and contact our firm before speaking with any insurance company.

The majority of burn injury cases settle before reaching the San Francisco Superior Court at Civic Center, often through direct negotiation or mediation. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial so that insurers and defendants know we are fully committed to litigation if a fair settlement is not offered. If trial is necessary, our attorneys have the courtroom experience to advocate effectively on your behalf.

California follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated entirely. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $500,000, you can still recover $400,000. We work to minimize any fault attributed to you by building a thorough factual record and presenting expert testimony about the primary cause of your injuries.

Yes, but the path to recovery depends on the circumstances. You are generally entitled to workers’ compensation benefits regardless of fault, covering medical treatment and partial lost wages. If a third party—such as a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or delivery driver—caused your injury, we can pursue a separate personal injury lawsuit that allows for full damages, including pain and suffering, which workers’ comp does not cover.

We can connect you with medical providers who treat burn injury patients on a lien basis, meaning they defer payment until your case resolves. We also work with your health insurer to ensure treatment is not delayed due to billing disputes. Our goal is to make sure you receive the care you need without financial pressure interfering with your recovery.

The timeline varies based on the severity of your injuries, the number of parties involved, and how aggressively the defendants defend the case. Straightforward cases with cooperative insurers can settle in six to twelve months, while cases involving catastrophic burns, disputed liability, or government defendants in San Francisco may take two to three years or longer. We keep you informed at every stage and push for the fastest resolution that still delivers full and fair compensation.

We represent clients injured by thermal burns from fires, explosions, and scalding liquids; chemical burns from industrial solvents, cleaning products, or hazardous cargo spills; electrical burns from faulty wiring or downed power lines; and radiation burns. We have handled cases arising from residential fires in the Mission District, industrial accidents in Dogpatch, and product defect cases involving household appliances across the Bay Area.

We take over all communication with insurance adjusters the moment you retain us, protecting you from recorded statements or settlement tactics designed to minimize your claim. Insurers know that burn injuries generate significant damages, and they often employ aggressive defense strategies early in the process. We counter those tactics with documented medical evidence, expert opinions on long-term care costs, and a demonstrated willingness to litigate if necessary.

Yes. Under California’s ‘eggshell plaintiff’ doctrine, a defendant takes the victim as they find them, meaning they are responsible for the full extent of your injuries even if a pre-existing condition made you more vulnerable to severe harm. We work with your treating physicians and independent medical experts to clearly separate and document the impact of the burn injury on top of any prior condition. Insurance companies frequently challenge these cases, and we are prepared to counter those arguments with strong medical evidence.

During your free consultation, we listen to the facts of your injury, review any documentation you have, and give you an honest assessment of your legal options and the likely value of your claim. There is no obligation and no pressure to retain us. We want you to have the information you need to make the best decision for yourself and your family.