Bay Area Burn Injury Lawyer
Legal Help After Suffering Severe Burns
Burn injuries are among the most devastating and painful injuries a person can suffer. They don’t just leave physical scars; they can alter every aspect of your life, from your ability to work to your emotional well-being. Whether caused by a fire, an electrical accident, chemical exposure, or a utility company’s negligence, a serious burn can require years of treatment, surgeries, and recovery.
At Danko Meredith, our Bay Area-based burn injury lawyers represent survivors throughout California. Our team has taken on some of the largest corporations in the country, including PG&E, on behalf of people whose lives were shattered by wildfires and other preventable disasters. With more than 120 years of combined legal experience, we are tireless advocates for justice, recovery, and accountability. For a free consultation with proven burn injury lawyers, contact our Bay Area law firm today. You can also reach our law office in Redwood City by calling (650) 453-3600.
If you or a loved one suffered a serious burn injury, you don’t have to face the road ahead alone. Let our Bay Area burn injury attorneys help you get the compensation and answers you deserve.
Why You Need Our Lawyers on Your Side: A $20 Million Explosion and Burn Settlement
One of our past cases involved a woman who was catastrophically injured while on her lunch break. An underground electrical explosion blew off a manhole cover and burned her severely, requiring months of medical treatment and rehabilitation. Cases like these usually take years, but we were determined to resolve the case in just two months.
How did we hit that two-month deadline we set for ourselves? We interviewed explosion eyewitnesses on camera as well as our client’s friends and family members. We interviewed the doctors and specialists who treated our client. We also tracked down a former employee of the utility company who helped us determine the cause of that underground electrical explosion before the government completed its official investigation.
We compiled 40 hours of video testimony that we edited down to a compelling 60 minutes. We sent that 60-minute video presentation to the utility company’s upper management and let them know we would go to trial if they did not settle our client’s case immediately.
Just two days later, the utility company settled the case for $20 million.
We Are Ready to Take on Challenging Burn Injury Cases
Burn injury cases can be high-stakes, especially when they involve negligent utility companies or aviation companies whose airplanes and helicopters cause catastrophic post-crash fires.
When you hire seasoned burn injury lawyers like us, you hire proven advocates who understand the full extent of your losses. We don’t just mean your medical bills. Our attorneys consider the emotional trauma, your future medical needs, and significant life changes that follow. At Danko Meredith, we work with top-tier expert witnesses, including burn specialists, life care planners, and financial professionals, to build the strongest possible case for your recovery.
California’s Burn Injury Statute of Limitations
California law gives most personal injury victims two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. This deadline is strictly enforced.
In some cases, such as when injuries are not immediately apparent or when minors are involved, the timeline may be extended. But waiting too long puts your case and your recovery at risk. The best way to protect your rights is to speak with our burn injury attorneys as soon as possible after the incident.
Danko Meredith Fights for Burn Victims and Wildfire Survivors
Our firm is known throughout California and the country for our success in cases involving catastrophic injury and corporate negligence. We’ve represented clients injured in aviation accidents involving post-crash fires, major vehicle collisions, defective product cases, and wildfires caused by utility companies.
Even when odds seem against our clients, our team will fight for them. We secured a confidential $11 million settlement for a client who suffered severe burns while she escaped a fuel-fed fire. The experience was so traumatic that she could not remember the fire or her subsequent debridement and grafting procedures. Regardless, our team proved that the emotional and psychological trauma she experienced was real and had long-lasting effects on her life.
At Danko Meredith, we are never intimidated, and we’re never out-lawyered. To request a free legal consultation about your burn injury, contact our Redwood City law firm today.
Types of Burn Injuries
Burns can occur in a wide range of circumstances, from daily household activities to massive public disasters. Our Bay Area burn injury attorneys handle cases involving:
Thermal Burns
Caused by exposure to heat sources such as open flames, steam, hot liquids, or explosions. These kinds of burns are common in house fires, car crashes, restaurant and kitchen injuries, and workplace accidents involving furnaces or fuel sources.
Electrical Burns and Electrocution
These injuries can be particularly dangerous because the damage may extend beneath the skin. Electrical burns can result from:
- Contact with downed power lines
- Faulty wiring or industrial machinery
- Defective consumer electronics
In many cases, victims suffer internal organ damage, neurological issues, and cardiac complications in addition to visible burns.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns are caused by exposure to caustic or toxic substances such as acids, alkalis, cleaning agents, or industrial chemicals. These burns may result from:
- Improper product labeling or storage
- Unsafe work environments
- Spills or splashes during manufacturing or transport
- Chemical burn victims may suffer permanent tissue damage, vision loss, or respiratory injuries depending on the substance involved.
Radiation Burns
Radiation burns are less common but can result from overexposure to medical or industrial radiation, including during cancer treatment. In rare cases, defective equipment or lack of oversight in medical settings may be to blame.
Smoke Inhalation and Airway Injuries
Some of the most life-threatening complications from fires involve inhalation injuries. Superheated air, toxic gases, and smoke can damage a victim’s lungs and airways, leading to long-term respiratory issues or death. These injuries often accompany thermal burns in structural fires or wildfires.
Burn Severity: Degrees and Medical Classifications
Burns are medically classified based on how deeply they penetrate the skin and underlying tissue. Understanding the severity of the burn helps doctors treat the injury and helps lawyers calculate the long-term impact and costs of recovery.
First-Degree Burns
- Affect only the outermost layer of skin (epidermis)
- Redness, minor pain, no blistering
- Typically heal on their own with minimal treatment
- Not usually the basis for a legal claim
Second-Degree Burns
- Affect both the outer and underlying layers of skin (dermis)
- Painful blisters, swelling, risk of infection
- May result in permanent scarring
- Often require medical treatment and can result in lost time from work
Third-Degree Burns
- Penetrate the full thickness of the skin
- Appear white, charred, or leathery
- Destroy nerve endings, may be less painful at first
- Require skin grafts, extensive surgeries, and long-term care
Fourth-Degree Burns and Beyond
- Extend into muscle, tendons, and bone
- Typically life-threatening
- Often leads to amputations or permanent disability
- Require ongoing rehabilitation and major lifestyle adjustments
Even “moderate” burns can result in emotional trauma, disfigurement, and financial strain. Severe burns often require lifelong care and can leave lasting impacts on a person’s ability to work, socialize, or live independently.
Wildfire-Related Burn Injuries and PG&E Negligence
California’s most destructive wildfires, including those that burned across Los Angeles and the Sierra foothills, have something in common: PG&E’s failure to maintain its power lines and other infrastructure.
Danko Meredith has been at the forefront of litigation against PG&E for more than 30 years. Our Bay Area burn injury attorneys helped represent victims in:
We’ve seen firsthand how utility negligence can lead to catastrophic burn injuries, not just from flames but from collapsing infrastructure, downed live wires, and smoke inhalation. If you or a loved one suffered burns in a fire you suspect was caused by PG&E, our San Francisco Bay Area wildfire lawyers can help.
Our firm has the experience, professionals, and courtroom firepower to hold PG&E and other negligent utility companies accountable.
The Long-Term Impact of Burn Injuries
Burns affect every part of a person’s life, from physical functioning to mental health. In the aftermath of a severe burn, the path to recovery is long and filled with challenges. The attorneys at Danko Meredith can consult medical specialists who can identify various limitations caused by your burns and lasting changes to your quality of life.
- Multiple Surgeries and Medical Treatments: Victims often undergo multiple surgeries, including skin grafts and complicated reconstructive procedures, which may span months or even years. Chronic pain, nerve damage, and limited mobility can make everyday tasks difficult or impossible, affecting both independence and quality of life.
- Permanent Scars and Disfigurement: Disfigurement is another common and deeply personal consequence of burn trauma. Visible scars, particularly on the face, hands, or other prominent areas, can lead to emotional distress, social withdrawal, and diminished self-esteem.
- Long-Term Psychological Impact: Many burn survivors also suffer from psychological conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, especially when their injuries stem from traumatic events like fires, explosions, or electrocution.
- Lasting Professional Repercussions: The impact of a burn injury often extends into a person’s professional and personal life. Some are forced to leave the workforce entirely, while others can no longer perform the same job duties they once did.
- Changes in Personal Relationships: Many require daily assistance or in-home care, placing additional strain on family members and caregivers. Relationships may shift as loved ones take on new responsibilities, and the emotional toll of these changes can be profound.
These life-altering effects are not only real, they are recognized under California law as compensable damages. At Danko Meredith, our Bay Area burn injury lawyers work to ensure that every aspect of your suffering and loss is factored into your claim, so you receive the support and justice you deserve.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Burn Injury Case?
We work with medical experts, economists, and life care planners to determine what it will take for you to heal, adapt, and move forward.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
Economic Damages
- Emergency room and hospitalization costs
- Surgical procedures and reconstructive surgery
- Rehabilitation, physical therapy, and mobility devices
- Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
- In-home nursing care and transportation needs
Non-Economic Damages
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and psychological distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
Punitive Damages
In cases of gross negligence, like those involving PG&E’s failure to maintain its power infrastructure, you may be entitled to punitive damages designed to punish and deter wrongful conduct.
What to Do After a Serious Burn Injury
Burn injuries are emergencies, both medically and legally. The actions you take in the minutes, hours, and days following the incident can significantly affect your health, your long-term prognosis, and your ability to obtain compensation.
Whether the injury occurred in a workplace accident, house fire, vehicle explosion, or utility-related wildfire, here’s what you should do:
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Even if the burn appears minor, it’s critical to get evaluated by a doctor. Some injuries, such as electrical or inhalation burns, may not show full symptoms right away but can cause severe internal damage. Prompt medical care protects your health and creates documentation that connects your injuries to the incident, essential for any future legal claim.
Document the Incident Thoroughly
Photos and videos can be powerful evidence in a burn injury case. If possible, take clear images of:
- The burn wounds at different stages of healing
- The accident scene or fire location
- Any contributing factors (exposed wiring, faulty equipment, spilled chemicals, etc.)
- Clothing, damaged tools, or burned objects
If you were unable to gather evidence at the time, we can help obtain photos from first responders, surveillance cameras, or witnesses.
Preserve Physical Evidence
Don’t throw away burned clothing, damaged products, or broken equipment involved in the incident. These items may hold clues about what went wrong and who is responsible. Keep them in a safe place and avoid altering them in any way. If the incident occurred in your home or business, avoid cleaning the area until photos and inspections can be completed.
In wildfire cases, charred property, melted appliances, or burned vegetation may help establish how the fire spread and whether utility infrastructure was involved.
Be Cautious with Insurance Adjusters
Insurance companies are not on your side. Their goal is to minimize payouts, and they often try to catch victims off guard during vulnerable moments. You may be asked to give a recorded statement, sign forms, or accept a quick settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known. Politely decline and consult a burn injury attorney from our firm before speaking to any insurer, even your own.
Remember: accepting a settlement too early may prevent you from recovering future medical expenses, lost income, or pain and suffering damages.
Speak with Our Bay Area Burn Injury Lawyers
The sooner you involve a burn injury attorney, the more options you’ll have. At Danko Meredith, we act fast to preserve evidence, document the full scope of your injuries, consult top medical experts, and identify every party that may be liable.
Whether you were burned in a wildfire, post-crash fire, workplace accident, or due to defective equipment, we’ll launch a thorough investigation and fight for full accountability. Even if you’re unsure whether you have a case, talking with us can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Burn Injury Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a burn injury lawyer?
At Danko Meredith, we believe everyone deserves access to justice, regardless of financial circumstances. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. There are no hourly rates, no retainers, and no surprise legal bills. We cover the costs of building your case, including hiring experts, ordering records, and court filing fees.
We only get paid if we recover compensation for you, either through a settlement or a jury verdict. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. This model ensures our goals align completely with yours: maximizing your recovery and securing the justice you deserve.
Do I need to go to court after suffering a burn injury?
Not necessarily. In fact, many burn injury claims are resolved through out-of-court settlements. Insurance companies often agree to pay fair compensation once they see that your attorneys have built a strong, trial-ready case. That said, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This approach puts pressure on the defense to make serious offers, and ensures we’re ready to take your case all the way if they don’t.
Our burn injury attorneys have successfully taken on major corporations in court, including PG&E. We’re not afraid of the courtroom, and insurance companies know it. If a trial becomes necessary, you’ll have a team with the skill and experience to present your case with clarity and power.
Can I sue PG&E for a wildfire-related burn?
Yes, and our firm is one of the few in California with decades of experience doing exactly that. PG&E has caused some of the most devastating wildfires in state history due to outdated infrastructure, negligent maintenance, and failure to shut off power during fire-prone conditions.
If you were burned in a wildfire caused by PG&E, you may have a strong claim for compensation. This includes not only burns from flames or explosions but also injuries from electrical equipment, falling lines, or smoke inhalation.
What if I was burned at work?
If your burn injury occurred on the job, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits, which cover medical care and a portion of lost wages. However, workers’ comp may not fully account for the pain, suffering, and long-term effects of a serious burn.
If a third party—such as a defective equipment manufacturer, subcontractor, property owner, or utility company—played a role in your injury, you can file a personal injury lawsuit in addition to your workers’ comp claim. This can significantly increase the compensation available to you.
Our burn injury attorneys will carefully investigate all potential sources of liability to ensure you receive every dollar you’re entitled to.
Speak With Our Burn Injury Lawyers in Redwood Shores, CA
Severe burns can destroy more than skin; they can destroy confidence, independence, and your way of life. But you don’t have to face recovery alone.
At Danko Meredith, we’ve spent decades helping burn victims and wildfire survivors rebuild. We take on the toughest defendants and deliver results when they matter most. Let us fight for you. Contact us online today or call (650) 453-3600 for a free consultation.