Burn Injuries

Burns are an extremely common injury, with hundreds of thousands of Americans seeking medical treatment and even being admitted to the hospital for burns every year in the United States and Massachusetts..  

A burn injury consists of damage to your skin and soft tissues caused by heat, chemicals, or electricity.  Burn injuries can range in severity from minor redness to deep tissue damage.  Burns often require medical treatment, and serious cases can lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement, infection, and permanent disability. 

If you have experienced one of these extraordinarily painful injuries, you may be wondering what damages you can recover to compensate you and assist you in your burn recovery.  You have been through a lot, and you should not have to carry this burden alone.  Knowing your legal rights and having a strong advocate are important to help you recover the maximum monetary compensation possible.

Massachusetts Burn Injury Lawyer Tracy Paulsen has assisted many clients in Boston, Bristol County, Suffolk County and ; and throughout Massachusetts in bringing claims and recovering the maximum possible compensation for their burn injuries.  Attorney Paulsen and her team at Rightful Legal are ready to Fight for Your Rights in obtaining justice for the pain you have endured.

Have You Suffered from a Burn Injury?

Contact Attorney Paulsen Today to Understand Your Legal Rights and Remedies 

Call or Text 617-821-5856

or

What Are Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Bristol County and throughout Massachusetts?

In our experience, the mostl common causes of the burn injuries faced by our clients, include:

• Scalding
  • Scalds are burns from hot liquids or steam
  • Scalds can be caused by cooking, baths, hot drinks, or work
• Fires
  • Burns can occur from house fires, as well as fires associated with industrial accidents or car accidents
• Defective Products
  • You can be burned due to malfunctions in products such as water heaters, stoves and other appliances, electronics, fireworks, or heaters.
• Electricity
  • Defective appliances can also cause electrical burns
  • Other causes of electrical burns include downed power lines, improperly insulated wires, or inappropriate electrical wiring
• Workplace Accidents
  • Burns in the workplace can be caused by chemicals, dangerous machinery, working in a kitchen, and other hot surfaces.
• Construction Accidents
  • Similar to workplace accidents, construction accidents can cause burns through electrical hazards, hot machinery, flammable materials, and chemical spills.

What Are the Degrees of Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries are divided into first-, second-, or third-degree.  The degree of burn depends on how deep the burns are and how badly they penetrate the surface of the skin.

First-Degree Burns

First-degree burns are considered superficial, but can still be quite painful.  These burns affect only the skin’s outer layer, called the epidermis. The burn site is red, painful, dry, and with no blisters.  First degree burns rarely cause permanent damage to the skin but may change its color

Second-Degree Burns

Also called partial-thickness burns, second-degree burns damage both the skin’s outer layer  (epidermis) and a part of the second, or dermis layer. Second degree burns may blister, turn red.  They can swell and cause more pain.  They are more damaging than first-degree burns and can leave scars.

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns are considered full-thickness burns.  These burns destroy both the outer layer of skin and the second layer, or dermis.  Muscles, other soft tissue, and even bones can be damaged by third-degree burns.  Third-degree burns may also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons.  Third-degree burns usually appear white and involve damage to the nerves in the skin.

Should I Seek Medical Care for My Burn?

Burns often require medical attention.  In particular, if a burn is severe (large or deep) or if you do not understand how serious it is, you should call 911 or otherwise seek emergency treatment right away.  Burns larger than a palm or affecting the feet, eyes or face, ears, major joints, or groin can be especially serious.

You shouldn’t try to remove clothing stuck to burned skin yourself.  You should not pop blisters on a healing burn, as they are there to help protect your body from infection.

Remember that trying to treat a serious burn yourself with ointment or ice can lead to further damage.  

Some burn victims may need a tetanus shot to protect them against this dangerous disease.  Only a medical provider can help with this.

Delaying medical care for a burn injury can hurt you, and it can cause an insurance company or employer to question whether you are telling the truth about how you were burned or how serious your burns are.  It is best to seek appropriate medical treatment for your injury as soon as possible.

What Are Possible Complications of Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries are notorious for complications.  

Right away, burns can cause shock or serious loss of fluid in the body.  Dangerously low body temperature is a serious concern immediately following severe burns.  

One common complication of burn injuries is infection.  Burns that are large or deep can lead to sepsis, which is an infection of the blood.  Sepsis is a serious medical problem and requires major treatment, which can be costly.  Sepsis can lead to death.

If burns affect the airway, they can lead to serious problems with breathing.  This is a medical emergency.  Call 911 right away if you think a burn may have affected an airway.

Nutritional issues can be a concern after extensive burns.  Recovering from burns requires a great deal of injury, and can simultaneously make eating a challenge.  Some burn survivors may require a feeding tube in order to recover.

Scarring is unfortunately quite common after burns.  Scars can cause serious psychological problems for burn survivors.  Burn scars can also cause physical pain and problems moving joints.

How Much Time Do You Have to Bring a Burn Injury Claim?

Massachusetts sets a strict time limit for all lawsuits.  This includes claims for burn injuries.  

The time you have to bring a claim depends on whether your injury is related to work or not.  

If your burn injury is work-related, you have four years from the date you discover your injury is related to work, usually the day of your burn, to bring a workers’ compensation claim.  You should notify your employer of your injury right away and speak with an attorney as soon as possible if you are burned at work.

If your burn injury is a personal injury, meaning it did not occur at work, but is due to someone else’s negligence, you only have three years from the day your injury is discovered (usually the day it occurs) to make your claim. 

Are you the Victim of a Burn Injury?

Contact Rightful Legal Today for a Free Case Review

Call or Text 617-821-5856

or

What Compensation Can You Receive After a Burn Injury?

If you’ve suffered a burn injury because of someone else’s carelessness—whether at work, on someone’s property, or due to a defective product—you may be entitled to financial compensation under Massachusetts personal injury law. At Rightful Legal, we help burn injury victims recover the money they need to move forward and heal with dignity.

The types of damages available to you may include:

• Medical costs you’ve already paid (ER visits, surgeries, medications, wound care)
  
• Future medical treatment (follow-up care, plastic surgery, skin grafts)
  
• Rehabilitation and physical therapy
  
• Lost wages due to missed work or reduced ability to work
  
• Pain and suffering for the physical and emotional toll
  
• Scarring or disfigurement, especially for visible injuries
  
• Loss of enjoyment of life if your injuries affect how you live or function
  
• Property damage (such as burned clothing, devices, or tools in the incident)

The value of your case will depend on your unique circumstances. Factors like the severity of your burns, your age, your occupation, and whether the injury occurred at work or in a public place can all affect your potential compensation. At Rightful Legal, we take the time to understand the full impact of your injuries—not just what’s on paper, but what it means for your future.

If You’ve Lost a Loved One to Burn Injuries

We know that no amount of money can replace someone you love. But if a family member died from burn injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to bring a wrongful death claim under Massachusetts law.

Attorney Tracy Paulsen and our team will guide you through this difficult legal process with compassion and care. We understand the pain families face after a tragedy, and we are committed to helping you pursue the justice and compensation your family deserves.

Why Choose Rightful Legal to Handle Your Burn Injury Case? ?

At Rightful Legal, we understand that burn injuries cause more than just physical pain—they can lead to emotional trauma, financial stress, and long-term health issues. Attorney Tracy Paulsen and her dedicated legal team have helped clients across Boston, Bristol County, and throughout Massachusetts who have suffered serious burns in fires, explosions, construction accidents, workplace incidents, and from defective or dangerous products.

We know the legal system can be confusing and overwhelming when you’re trying to heal. That’s why we take the pressure off your shoulders by handling every part of the legal process for you. From filing your case and working with doctors to negotiating with insurance companies, gathering evidence, and fighting in court if needed, we’re by your side from beginning to end. And you won’t pay us anything unless we win your case.

Whether your burn injury happened on the job or because someone else was careless, we are ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. We’ll take care of the legal steps so you can focus on healing from this traumatic event and moving forward with your life.

Contact Rightful Legal online now, or call or text Attorney Paulsen directly at 617-821-5856.  We want to hear your story and offer you a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation so you can make the best decision for yourself and your recovery.