Burn Injury Lawyer in Richmond, VA
Legal help for Virginians who were seriously burned because of someone else’s carelessness, and for families who lost a loved one.
No Recovery,
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80+ Years Combined
Attorney Experience
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Practicing Personal Injury Law
Since 1973
Seriously Burned Because of Someone Else’s Carelessness?
If you were badly burned in Virginia because another person or company was careless, you may have a claim for your medical care, lost income, scarring, and pain. A serious burn can mean skin grafts, more surgeries, and months of recovery, so the full cost is often not clear for a long time.
Collier & Collier can review how the burn happened, explain who may be responsible, and talk with you about whether a claim makes sense.
What to know about burn injury claims in Virginia:
- Who may be responsible depends on how the burn happened
- We don’t handle workers’ compensation claims, but someone other than your employer may be responsible.
- Any fault on your part can bar recovery
- Most claims must be filed within two years
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Burn Injury?
Depending on how the burn happened, a claim may involve:
- A driver who caused a crash and fire
- A property owner or landlord who ignored a fire hazard
- A company that made or sold a dangerous product
- A business whose employee caused the injury
Fault matters a great deal in Virginia. Under the state’s contributory negligence rule, a person who was even slightly at fault can be barred from recovering anything, and the other side has to prove that fault. Burns on someone else’s property may also involve premises liability rules. If the burn happened in a crash, see our car accident and truck accident pages.
Burned at Work?
If you were burned on the job, Virginia workers’ compensation is usually your only remedy against your employer (Va. Code § 65.2-307). That means you generally cannot sue your employer for the burn.
You may still have a claim against someone else, such as the maker of faulty equipment or another company working on the site. If that claim succeeds, the employer or its insurer has a lien on the recovery for the workers’ comp benefits it paid (Va. Code § 65.2-309).
Collier & Collier does not handle workers’ compensation claims. We can review whether someone other than your employer is responsible for the burn.
The Long-Term Costs of a Serious Burn
Severe burns can leave permanent scars, skin that is more sensitive to heat and light, and stiff joints that limit movement. Depending on the evidence, a claim may seek:
- Emergency care, burn unit treatment, and skin grafts
- Future surgeries and reconstructive care
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Pain, mental anguish, and inconvenience
- Lasting scarring or disfigurement
A claim for future care needs support from your doctors, so it helps to understand the likely course of treatment before agreeing to any final settlement. Our catastrophic injury page explains how lifelong needs are handled in a claim.
Burn Care in Richmond
Richmond is home to VCU Health’s Evans-Haynes Burn Center. Whether you receive care there or elsewhere, your treatment records can help document your injuries and medical needs. Collier & Collier has no affiliation with VCU Health.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Burns can come from fire, hot liquids or steam, hot objects, electricity, or chemicals. Situations that can lead to a claim include:
- Vehicle crashes and fires
- Apartment, rental, or building fires
- Defective products and appliances
- Scalding from hot water or liquids
When a Child Is Burned
Children can be badly hurt by scalds, hot surfaces, and fires. A child’s claim has different timing rules. It can include medical expenses, and special rules apply when a parent has paid or is responsible for those bills. Our child injury page explains how those claims work.
When a Burn Injury Is Fatal
When a burn injury causes a death, the family may have a wrongful death claim. It is brought by the personal representative of the person who died, generally within two years of the death. Our wrongful death page explains how those claims work in Virginia.
Most Claims Must Be Filed Within Two Years
Most Virginia personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury (Va. Code § 8.01-243). Other deadlines can apply:
- Wrongful death claims: two years from the date of death
- Injured children: different timing rules can apply
Contacting a firm does not stop a filing deadline.
No Recovery, No Fee
Case reviews are free. You owe attorney fees only if your case settles or is won. Case expenses are separate and explained in your written fee agreement.
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Talk With a Burn Injury Attorney
Tell us how the burn happened and what questions you have about a claim. We can explain who may be responsible, what a claim could cover, and how much time you have. Contact Collier & Collier for a free case review.
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