Common Causes of Burn: Who Is Liable?

• January 23, 2025
• Attorney Matt Stoddard
• Personal Injury

Burn injuries are among the most traumatic personal injuries anyone can endure. They not only inflict severe pain but also carry a long-term impact, affecting not just the physical body but also emotional well-being and financial stability.

When a burn accident happens, one of the first questions people ask is: “Who is responsible for this?” Determining liability can be a complex process. Was it a defective product? An unsafe work environment? A negligent driver? Often, more than one party may share responsibility, and uncovering the truth requires an experienced burn injury lawyer in Atlanta who knows where to look and how to hold the right people accountable.

At The Stoddard Firm, we understand the challenges burn victims face and the importance of getting answers. We know this is a personal and emotional journey for our clients. That’s why we take the time to understand your story, gather the evidence, and build a case that reflects the full impact of your injury.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Atlanta

Causes of burns vary from case to case. Burn injuries can happen in a variety of settings, and many are entirely preventable. Some of the most common causes include:

• Thermal Burns: Thermal burns are among the most common types of burns and happen when the skin is exposed to heat sources like open flames, hot liquids, steam, or heated objects. Common causes include house fires, cooking mishaps, and accidental scalding from hot beverages.
• Chemical Burns: Chemical burns occur when the skin or eyes come into contact with corrosive substances such as acids, alkalis, or certain household cleaning products. Occupations involving chemical handling, such as in industries or laboratories, present a higher risk for these types of burns.
• Electrical Burns: Electrical burns result from an electric current passing through the body, leading to injury. They can be caused by electrical accidents, faulty wiring, or direct contact with live wires.
• Scald Burns: Scald burns are caused by exposure to hot liquids or steam. These injuries commonly occur during activities like cooking, using hot water, or handling hot drinks.

Determining Liability in Burn Injury Cases

Liability depends on the specific facts of the incident, but in most burn injury claims, the responsible party is someone whose negligence, recklessness, or intentional actions directly caused the injury.

1. Negligence

In burn injury cases, proving negligence is often the key to establishing liability. Negligence occurs when a person or entity fails to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another. For a successful claim, four elements must be proven:

• Duty of Care: The defendant owed a responsibility to act with reasonable care, such as ensuring a safe environment or using properly maintained equipment.
• Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to fulfil this obligation through their actions or failure to act.
• Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the burn injury.
• Damages: The victim suffered actual harm, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or physical and emotional pain.

2. Premises Liability in Atlanta Burn Cases

Under premises liability laws in Georgia, property owners are required to maintain safe conditions for visitors. If unsafe conditions lead to a burn accident, the property owner or landlord may be held responsible. For example:

• Property Owners: Businesses, hotels, or private property owners must ensure that visitors are safe from fire hazards. This includes installing working smoke detectors, maintaining clear walkways, and repairing faulty electrical systems.
• Landlords: Landlords have a specific duty to repair hazardous conditions, such as broken heating systems, gas leaks, or faulty appliances. Failure to address these issues can result in devastating fires and severe injuries.

3. Product Liability in Atlanta Burn Accidents

Product liability in Georgia holds manufacturers accountable for burns caused by defective or dangerous products. Faulty appliances, flammable materials, or tools that malfunction pose serious risks to consumers. When these defects cause burn injuries, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer may be held liable under product liability laws.

4. Burns from Auto Accidents

Vehicle fires and explosions are another common cause of burn injuries. These often occur during or after collisions when fuel tanks rupture or electrical systems malfunction. Driver negligence, such as speeding, impaired driving, or failure to maintain the vehicle, can contribute to these accidents. Additionally, defective car parts may also play a role, tying liability to the manufacturer under product liability laws.

5. Workplace Burn Accidents

Workplaces, particularly industrial and construction sites, are high-risk environments for burns. Common causes include contact with hot machinery, steam, chemicals, or open flames.

Employers are legally obligated to provide a safe work environment, which includes proper training, safety equipment, and adherence to OSHA regulations. If an employer fails to meet these standards, they may be liable for a burn accident.

However, many workplace burn injuries fall under workers’ compensation laws, which provide benefits without the need to prove negligence. In some cases, third-party liability—such as a contractor or equipment manufacturer—may also be involved, allowing additional compensation beyond workers’ comp.

What to Do if You’ve Suffered a Burn Injury

Here are strategic steps to take to protect yourself and your rights.

• Get Medical Care: It is essential to get professional medical treatment for your burn as soon as possible. Even if the burn initially seems minor, complications can develop. A healthcare professional can properly assess your injury and provide the necessary treatments to promote healing and prevent complications such as infection.
• Document the Injury and Scene: Take photographs of the burn as soon after the injury as possible. Continue to document the healing process with regular photos. This documentation can be critical in demonstrating the extent and severity of your injuries in any legal claim.
• Report the Incident: If the burn occurred at work, in a public place, or in a rented residence, report the incident to the appropriate authority or management. This not only helps to formalize the occurrence but can also initiate any necessary safety measures to prevent future injuries to others.
• Limit Communication with Involved Parties: Be cautious about what you say to insurance companies, property managers, or representatives from a product manufacturer. Do not admit fault or provide detailed statements without consulting an attorney. Anything you say can be used to undermine your claim.
• Contact an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer: Burn injuries can result in significant medical expenses, loss of wages, and pain and suffering. Contacting our burn injury lawyer in Atlanta can help protect your rights and ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

How The Stoddard Firm Can Help

Our approach begins with a thorough investigation of the incident that caused your injury. We gather and analyse evidence, interview witnesses, and collaborate with medical and fire safety professionals, product design experts, and workplace regulators to build a strong case.

Our approach is hands-on and personalized. We recognize that every case is unique, and we tailor our strategies to meet your specific needs and goals.

Burn injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries, skin grafts, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy. These treatments can lead to significant medical expenses, time away from work, and emotional trauma.  Our team works to recover compensation for all aspects of your suffering, including medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care needs. In cases of gross negligence, we also pursue punitive damages to hold responsible parties accountable and deter future harm.

Whether negotiating with insurance companies or presenting your case in court, our goal is to ensure that all responsible parties are held accountable and that you receive full compensation and any other related costs.

Contact an Atlanta Burn Injury Lawyer Today

If you’ve suffered a burn accident, it’s important to act quickly to protect your legal rights. Under Georgia law, the statute of limitations for burn injuries is generally two years from the date of the injury although the timeline can be as short as six months or longer than two years depending on the circumstances of your incident.  Regardless of the exact timeline,  you have a limited window of time to file a lawsuit against the responsible party and you should therefore act quickly.

At The Stoddard Firm, we are ready to help you take swift action to protect your rights. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can begin building your case and pursuing the compensation you deserve.