Serious Burn Injuries Require Serious Legal Representation
- $75M+ Recovered for Clients
- 75+ Years Combined Experience
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Burn injuries are one of the most painful and life-changing injuries a person can suffer. The damage doesn’t stops at the initial trauma. Victims are left dealing with permanent scarring, multiple surgeries, and an emotional pain that can last far longer than the physical wounds.
At Palermo Law, our Long Island personal injury lawyers represent individuals and families across Nassau and Suffolk Counties who have suffered serious burn injuries because of someone else’s negligence. These cases are not simple. They involve complicated medical treatment, long-term care needs, and financial difficulties that can follow a family for years.
For more than 25 years, our firm has focused on representing injured people, not insurance companies. We have recovered over $75 million in verdicts and settlements, and we prepare every case from day one as if it will go to trial. That preparation is what drives great settlement results. We always negotiate from a position of strength.
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, your rights matter. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Is a Burn Injury?
A burn injury occurs when the skin or underlying tissue is damaged by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. While some burns are minor, serious burn injuries cause permanent damage and require long term medical treatment that can take years to recover from.
Burn injuries are classified by severity:
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1st
Superficial Outer skin layer only. Redness and pain. Heals within days. Rarely causes permanent scarring.
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2nd
Partial Thickness Penetrates into the dermis. Blistering, intense pain, and risk of permanent scarring. May require skin grafts.
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3rd
Full Thickness Destroys all skin layers. Nerve damage, permanent scarring, and long-term surgical care almost always required.
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In severe cases, victims require skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and long-term rehabilitation. The physical effects are only part of the picture. Many burn victims also carry lasting emotional and psychological damage that affects every area of their lives.
Types of Burn Injuries
Understanding the cause of a burn injury is essential to determining who is liable. Burn injuries take several forms, and each carries its own set of legal and medical considerations.
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Thermal Burns
Caused by fire, explosions, or contact with hot surfaces, thermal burns are common in car accidents, construction accidents, and building fires. They can range from painful surface injuries to catastrophic, life-threatening damage.
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Electrical Burns
Electrical burns often cause deep tissue damage that is not visible on the surface. These injuries are frequently seen in construction and workplace accidents, where exposure to live wiring or faulty equipment puts workers at serious risk.
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Chemical Burns
Exposure to hazardous chemicals can cause severe burns, particularly in industrial or workplace environments. Chemical burns may continue to cause damage after initial contact if not properly treated immediately.
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Scalding Injuries
Hot liquids or steam cause scalding injuries, which are especially common in restaurant settings, private residences, and poorly maintained commercial properties where safety standards have been ignored.
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Explosion and Fire-Related Burns
Explosions and fires can lead to widespread and catastrophic injuries involving multiple victims and complicated liability questions. These cases often require rapid investigation to preserve critical evidence before it is lost.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries on Long Island
Most burn injuries do not happen randomly. They occur in situations where someone’s negligence created an unreasonable risk. On Long Island, we see burn injuries most often arising from:
- Car accidents, including vehicle fires on the Long Island Expressway and Sunrise Highway
- Construction accidents in active development areas across Nassau and Suffolk Counties
- Workplace incidents involving electrical or chemical exposure
- Defective products, including faulty appliances, wiring, and flammable materials
- Unsafe property conditions, including fire hazards and missing safety equipment
- Negligent alarm installation and supervision incidents involving fire
In many of these cases, more than one party bears responsibility, including property owners, contractors, product manufacturers, and employers. Identifying every responsible party is critical to recovering full compensation.
Why Burn Injury Cases Are Different
Burn injury cases stand apart from most other personal injury claims because of their severity, their complexity, and the substantial impact over every aspect of a victim’s life.
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Severe Physical Pain and Recovery
Burn injuries are consistently described as among the most painful injuries a person can experience. Recovery often involves multiple surgeries, extended hospital stays, and months or years of ongoing treatment. The road back is long, and the costs of various treatments reflect that.
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Permanent Scarring and Disfigurement
Many burn victims are left with permanent scars that affect both physical function and appearance. These changes can hurt a person’s confidence, their relationships, and their sense of self in ways that are difficult to put a number on but absolutely must be accounted for in a claim.
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Emotional and Psychological Impact
The emotional consequences of a serious burn injury are real and lasting. Anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress are common among burn survivors. We work with mental health professionals to document and present these damages as part of a complete case.
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Long-Term Medical Needs
Severe burns frequently require care that extends well beyond initial treatment, including reconstructive surgeries, physical therapy, pain management, and sometimes round-the-clock assistance at home. Every one of those future costs must be projected and fought for.
According to the American Burn Association, approximately 29,000 burn patients are admitted to hospitals across the United States each year, with burn injuries accounting for one fire-related death every two hours and seventeen minutes. These numbers reflect how serious and how common burn injuries are, and why the legal stakes in these cases are so high.
Insurance companies will try to fight back
Because burn injury cases often involve significant compensation, insurers fight harder than usual. They challenge the severity of injuries, dispute future care needs, and bring in their own experts to minimize exposure. We know their tactics and we are prepared to counter them.
How Palermo Law Builds Burn Injury Cases
In burn injury cases, early action is not just helpful. It is essential. Evidence disappears fast, and delays can seriously weaken a claim. We move quickly.
| 1 |
Immediate InvestigationWe work to preserve everything that matters: photographs and video of the scene, fire reports and incident documentation, witness statements, and any physical evidence that helps establish how and why the injury occurred. |
| 2 |
Expert Team AssemblyBurn cases require specialized expertise. We work with burn treatment specialists, reconstructive surgeons, life care planners, vocational experts, and economic experts who can project future losses with precision. We bring in whoever the case needs in order to make sure it is in the strongest position for settlement or trial. |
| 3 |
Documenting the Full ImpactWe build a complete picture of the injury from the start: current medical treatment, future care requirements, the impact on employment, and the effect on daily life. This thorough documentation is what allows us to pursue full and fair compensation rather than settling for less. |
The CDC’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System tracks hundreds of thousands of burn-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations annually across the United States. The data makes clear that serious burn injuries carry one of the highest long-term cost burdens of any injury type. Getting the numbers right in a burn case is not a formality. It is the difference between a recovery that covers what a victim actually needs and one that falls short.
Compensation for Burn Injury Victims
A serious burn injury claim must account for both what has already been lost and what lies ahead. Undervaluing future damages is one of the most costly mistakes a burn victim can make.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Medical expenses and hospital bills | Pain and suffering |
| Surgical procedures and skin grafts | Emotional distress and psychological harm |
| Rehabilitation and physical therapy | Disfigurement and permanent scarring |
| Lost income and reduced earning capacity | Loss of enjoyment of life |
| Long-term care, assistive services, and home modifications |
In severe cases, future damages make up the largest portion of the recovery. Properly calculating and presenting these numbers requires experienced attorneys who know how to build a damages case that holds up.
Workplace Burn Injuries and Third-Party Claims
Many burn injuries happen on the job. When they do, workers’ compensation benefits are typically available to cover medical expenses and a portion of lost wages. But workers’ compensation has real limits. It does not cover pain and suffering, full lost earnings, or the long-term impact of permanent disfigurement.
In many workplace burn cases, there is also a third-party claim available against a party outside of the employment relationship, such as a negligent contractor, a property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions, or a manufacturer whose defective equipment caused the fire or explosion. These claims can significantly expand the total recovery beyond what workers’ compensation alone provides.
New York’s Serious Injury Threshold
Under New York Insurance Law § 5102(d), individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents must meet the serious injury threshold to pursue compensation beyond no-fault benefits. Burn injuries frequently satisfy this standard, particularly when they involve permanent disfigurement, significant limitation of a body function, or long-term impairment. Understanding how the threshold applies to your specific situation is an important early step in protecting your claim.
Why Choose Palermo Law for a Burn Injury Case
Maximize Your Compensation
We have recovered more than $75 million for injured New Yorkers. In burn injury cases, we bring in every expert the case requires, build a thorough damages presentation, and push back hard against any attempt by the insurance company to minimize what our clients deserve. We do not leave value on the table.
Reduce Your Stress
Recovering from a serious burn injury is a full-time job. The last thing you need is to also be managing lawyers, insurance adjusters, and paperwork. We handle all of it so our clients can focus on healing and getting their lives back.
Resolve Your Case as Efficiently as the Facts Allow
Burn injury cases take time to do right. But thorough preparation often accelerates resolution. When an insurance company knows a case is fully built and trial-ready, settlement conversations change. We have more than 25 years of experience and 400+ five-star Google reviews because we deliver results our clients can feel.
Palermo Law has been recognized as a Best Law Firm on Long Island. We have 75+ years of combined experience. We never represent insurance companies. We never take a fee unless we recover compensation for you.
Have You Suffered a Serious Injury?
If you suffered a burn injury on Long Island, you do not have to handle the legal claim process alone. Early guidance can help protect your rights, preserve critical evidence, and ensure that your insurance claims and benefits are handled properly from the start.
At Palermo Law, we offer free consultations and handle burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront legal fees, and you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered on your behalf. Contact us online or call us today to get started. You can meet with us at any of our 9 office locations across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, making it easy to get experienced legal guidance close to home:
- Babylon – serving West Babylon, Lindenhurst, Copiague, Amityville, and North Babylon
- Carle Place – serving Garden City, Westbury, East Meadow, and Uniondale
- East Hampton – serving Southampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, Amagansett, and Montauk
- Elmont – serving Valley Stream, Floral Park, Franklin Square, Bellerose, and Jamaica
- Hauppauge – serving Smithtown, Commack, Brentwood, Central Islip, and Islandia
- Huntington – serving Huntington Station, Northport, Cold Spring Harbor, Melville, and Dix Hills
- Mineola – serving Williston Park, New Hyde Park, Herricks, and Albertson
- Patchogue – serving Medford, Holbrook, Bellport, Blue Point, and Sayville
- Riverhead – serving Calverton, Wading River, Aquebogue, Jamesport, and Mattituck
If you are unable to travel due to your injuries, we can arrange a consultation at your home or at the hospital. If you have questions about a recent burn accident or want to understand your legal options, contact Palermo Law today to schedule a consultation with a Long Island burn injury lawyer.
Helping the Injured Throughout Long Island
“...cannot be happier with our decision!”
Steven Palermo was referred to us from a friend and I cannot be happier with our decision. He worked hard to obtain a settlement to compensate for pain I had to undergo as a result of an accident. I will continue to refer anyone in need of a car accident attorney to this office! Thanks Palermo for everything!
James Mcwilliams
google review
...He heard everything that I had to say...
Steven was an amazing attorney. He heard everything that I had to say about my injury and he was very reassuring. The staff at Palermo Law were also very helpful. If I had any questions they were always there to answer my questions. I felt that my case was handled professionally and there was a great outcome that I was looking for. I really appreciate the work that they did for my case.
Mabel Martinez
Google Review
...I wouldn’t think twice to recommend them to anyone in need of an attorney.
Steven and his team - Danielle, Ana, and Paula are the right people to have in your corner fighting for you. I selected this firm based on the reviews and their website and I have been nothing but thankful for the efficiency and professionalism I have experienced. I just settled my case and throughout the entire process I consistently felt reassured that I had made the right choice. All the feelings of anxiety and stress related to dealing with a lawsuit with this team were kept in check with their immediate responsiveness and determination to help me get what I needed to assist with my injury. Any question or concern was answered no matter what time or day of the week. Everything was explained and I wouldn’t think twice to recommend them to anyone in need of an attorney.
E Z
Google Review
...Steve immediately got me on track to see the right kind of doctor...
I was unhappy with my previous attorney & decided to switch to Palermo Law. Steve immediately got me on track to see the right kind of doctor, who ultimately discovered the root of my injury. I believe that the medical treatment I received together with Steve’s hard work resulted in a successful outcome of my case.
Joseph Fonti
Google Review
Steve came to the Rehab center...
Steve came to the Rehab center, where I was placed following my admission to the hospital, to introduce himself & explain the steps he would take to help me. He also came to visit me at my home, when I couldn't drive, to give me updates on my case. Everyone at his office was very friendly and answered my questions. Steve always took time to explain each step of my case to me so I understood completely. He displayed empathy towards not only my physical pain but emotional, as well.
Cinzia Manzella
Google Review
Burn Injury FAQs
What is a burn injury case worth?
In our experience case value depends on the severity of the burn, the extent of permanent scarring or disfigurement, long-term care needs, and the impact on the victim's ability to work and live normally. Serious burn cases often result in substantial recoveries because future damages are significant.
Can I sue for a burn injury in New York?
Yes. If your burn injury was caused by someone else's negligence, you can pursue a personal injury claim for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and future care costs. The key is establishing that another party's failure to act responsibly caused your injury.
What if I suffered a burn injury at work?
You are likely entitled to workers' compensation benefits for medical expenses and partial lost wages. In many cases, you may also have a third-party claim against a contractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer. Third-party claims allow for pain and suffering damages that workers' compensation does not cover.
How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in New York?
In most cases, New York gives you three years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Claims against government entities have a much shorter window, requiring a notice of claim within 90 days. Acting quickly protects your rights and preserves critical evidence.
Do burn injury cases go to trial?
In our experience most burn injury cases settle before trial, but genuine trial readiness is often what produces a fair settlement. When an insurer knows a case is fully prepared and an attorney is ready for a courtroom, the negotiation dynamic changes in the client's favor.
How do I pay for a burn injury lawyer?
Palermo Law handles burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis. There are no upfront costs and no hourly fees. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict, so our interests are fully aligned with yours.