Severe burn injuries are among the most painful and life-altering experiences a person can endure. Survivors often face months or even years of recovery – in fact, many serious burns take 12 to 18 months or longer to heal – resulting in staggering medical bills, scarring, and emotional trauma.
At Kubota & Craig, our Orange County burn injury attorneys understand these stakes and fight tirelessly to secure the medical care, compensation, and justice you need to rebuild your life after a burn accident.
What to Do Immediately After a Burn Injury
A burn accident can leave you shocked and in excruciating pain. It’s critical to protect your health and your rights in the immediate aftermath. Here are the steps to take right away after a burn injury:
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately. If burns are severe, call 911 without delay. For less serious burns, administer basic first aid: move to a safe area away from the heat source, gently cool the burn with cool (not ice-cold) water if possible, and cover it with a clean cloth. Always err on the side of caution and get a medical evaluation – what seems minor could be more serious than you realize. Prompt treatment can be life-saving and will also document your injuries for a later claim.
- Prioritize Safety and Follow Doctors’ Orders. Make sure the danger is over – for example, extinguish flames or leave a hazardous area if you can do so safely. Do not attempt to peel off charred clothing stuck to the skin; let medical professionals handle that. Once under care, follow all medical advice and treatment plans closely. Your health comes first.
- Document the Scene and Your Injuries. If someone is with you or once you are stable, document everything about the accident. Take photos or video of the accident scene (e.g. the location of a fire or the product that caused a chemical burn) and of your injuries. Photograph your burns at various stages of treatment (such as when bandages are changed) to show their severity. If the burn was from a fire, try to get pictures of the site before any debris is cleaned up. This evidence can be crucial later.
- Preserve Evidence of What Caused the Burn. If a specific item or substance caused the burn – for instance, a faulty appliance, a chemical container, or unsafe wiring – keep that item or get someone to save it. Do not throw away or repair anything that might have caused the accident. In fire cases, it may help to hold off on cleaning or demolition of the site until an investigator can examine it. Your attorney can help coordinate expert inspections to determine the cause.
- Obtain Witness Information. If anyone saw the accident or the moments leading up to it (e.g. witnesses to an explosion or someone who noticed a hazard), get their names and contact information. Witness testimony can help establish what happened and who may be at fault.
- Limit Communication About the Incident. In the days following the injury, you may be contacted by insurance adjusters or other parties. It’s wise not to give any official statements or sign anything without legal counsel. Also, avoid posting details about the accident or your injuries on social media. Statements made in haste can be used against your claim later. Politely refer any inquiries to your attorney once you have one.
- Consult a Burn Injury Lawyer as Soon as Possible. After addressing your immediate medical needs, contact an experienced burn injury attorney quickly. Burn cases often involve complex investigations, and critical evidence can disappear or deteriorate with time. An attorney will act promptly to preserve evidence, advise you on your legal options, and start the process of pursuing compensation while you focus on healing.
Taking these steps will protect both your well-being and your ability to seek justice. Kubota & Craig’s Orange County burn accident lawyers are available 24/7 to guide you through each of these steps, starting with a free consultation to discuss your case.
Common Causes and Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries arise from a wide variety of accidents and hazards, and understanding the cause of your burn is important for both medical treatment and legal action. Here are some of the most common causes and types of burn injuries we see in Orange County:
Thermal Burns
These are burns caused by direct heat sources such as open flames, fires, explosions, hot metal, or hot surfaces. House fires, car fire accidents, kitchen accidents (like a stove or oven mishap), and industrial fires all fall under thermal burns. Even extremely hot steam or boiling liquids can cause thermal burns by scalding the skin. Thermal burns are the most common type – the American Burn Association reports they account for about 86% of all burn center admissions – which highlights how frequently they occur in everyday life.
Scalding Burns
A subtype of thermal burn, scalds deserve special mention because they’re so frequent in home settings. Hot liquids or steam can cause severe burns, especially to children or the elderly. For example, spilling boiling water, hot coffee, or cooking oil can result in deep second-degree burns in seconds. Bath water that is too hot or steam from a pressure cooker are other common scald scenarios. Always use caution with hot liquids – these burns can be very serious, often requiring skin grafts if extensive.
Chemical Burns
Exposure to harsh chemicals can burn the skin and tissues. Strong acids or alkalis (bases) found in industrial cleaners, pool chemicals, battery acid, or certain household cleaning products can cause chemical burns on contact. These burns are particularly dangerous because the corrosive substance may continue to eat away at tissue until fully washed off. Chemical burns often happen in workplaces (such as factories or labs) but can also occur at home (for example, mixing incompatible cleaning agents). Prompt flushing with water and immediate medical care are critical with chemical burns.
Electrical Burns
Electrical injuries occur when an electric current passes through the body, generating heat and burning tissue. Common causes include faulty wiring, exposed electrical lines, workplace electrical accidents, or even lightning strikes. Electrical burns often damage internal tissues beneath the skin, so the outward signs may be misleading. You might see only small entry and exit wounds on the skin, while deep tissue, muscles, nerves, or organs have suffered serious injury. Because of the hidden damage and risk of cardiac arrest or organ failure, electrical burn victims should always seek immediate medical attention.
Radiation Burns
These burns result from exposure to radiation sources. The most familiar example is sunburn from UV radiation – a mild form of radiation burn. More severe cases involve tanning bed overexposure, radiation therapy for cancer (when surrounding skin is burned), or industrial accidents involving radiation. Radiation burns can range from first-degree (red, painful skin) to very deep injuries in nuclear industry accidents.
Other Causes
Burns can also result from less common mechanisms. For instance, friction burns (like road rash) occur when skin rubs against a hard surface at high speed, effectively scraping and burning it. Inhalation injuries can “burn” the airways and lungs by breathing in hot smoke or toxic fumes during a fire – even if the skin isn’t burned, inhalation of hot smoke can cause severe internal injuries. Additionally, cold burns (frostbite), while the opposite of heat, can similarly damage tissue and are sometimes litigated in injury cases (for example, if a person is trapped in freezing conditions due to negligence).
Degrees of Burns: Medical professionals classify burns by degrees of severity. A first-degree burn affects only the outer skin layer (epidermis) and is characterized by redness and pain (like a mild sunburn). Second-degree burns penetrate to the second layer of skin (dermis), causing blistering, intense pain, and possible scarring. Third-degree burns destroy the full thickness of the skin, often turning the area black, white, or leathery; surprisingly, they might not hurt initially because nerve endings are destroyed. Fourth-degree burns extend beyond skin into muscle, bone, or organs, and are life-threatening injuries. Medical assessment will determine the burn degree and the percentage of body surface area (%TBSA) affected. Larger and deeper burns are more dangerous – for example, a burn covering 50% of one’s body is extremely serious and potentially fatal.
Understanding what caused your burn and how severe it is will shape the treatment you need and the legal strategy for your claim. Whether your injury came from a house fire, a workplace accident, a defective product, or any other cause, our team will work to identify every liable party and build a strong case for you.
Medical Treatment and Long-Term Therapies
Proper medical treatment is crucial for burn injury victims – not only to save life and limb in the short term, but also to maximize long-term recovery. Burn injuries often require specialized care at hospitals or dedicated burn centers, especially for third-degree and fourth-degree burns or burns covering large areas of the body. Orange County victims are typically treated at regional burn centers where a team of surgeons and specialists can address the complex challenges burns present.
Emergency and Acute Treatment
Major burns are a medical emergency. Initially, doctors focus on stabilizing the patient – this includes steps like administering IV fluids to prevent shock, providing pain control (burns can cause extreme pain), and preventing infection. Burn wounds must be carefully cleaned and debrided (removing dead tissue). Severe burn patients often undergo surgery, sometimes within days of the injury, to excise (cut away) burned tissue and to perform skin grafts. In a skin graft procedure, surgeons take healthy skin from an unaffected part of the body (or use donor skin or artificial skin) and transplant it to cover the burned areas. Skin grafts promote healing and help close large wounds, but they may require multiple surgeries and can lead to significant scarring.
Hospitalization and Rehabilitation
It’s not uncommon for a serious burn victim to spend weeks or even months in the hospital. For example, a rule of thumb is that each 1% of body surface burned equals about one day in the hospital, and one study estimated around $10,000 per day of hospitalization costs. During this time, patients may undergo multiple surgeries (for skin grafts or reconstructive procedures), fight off infections, and begin physical rehab. Burn wounds require frequent dressing changes and vigilant infection control. Many patients are treated in isolation or special sterile rooms to reduce infection risk, since large burns compromise the skin’s protective barrier.
Physical Therapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy
After the initial wounds begin healing, the recovery journey is far from over. Physical therapy is often needed to regain strength and flexibility. Burns that cover joints (like hands, elbows, knees) can cause scar tissue that tightens and limits movement (contractures). Therapists will guide patients through exercises and stretches to improve range of motion and prevent permanent stiffness. Occupational therapy can help patients re-learn daily activities if the burns affect mobility or dexterity (for instance, if someone’s hands were badly burned).
Scar Management and Reconstruction
Significant burns almost always leave scars. Some scars can be extremely limiting or disfiguring. Patients might need long-term treatments to manage scarring, such as compression garments, silicone gel sheets, or laser therapy to reduce scar thickness. In cases of severe disfigurement or loss of function (say, ears, nose, or fingers lost to burns), reconstructive plastic surgery may be required. This could involve multiple surgeries over time to restore appearance and function as much as possible.
Pain Management and Psychological Support
The pain from burn injuries can be intense and prolonged. Burn victims often require strong pain medications and sometimes long-term pain management plans. Equally important is mental health care. Surviving a burn injury can be traumatizing – victims may suffer nightmares, anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) related to the accident (for example, flashbacks of the fire or extreme anxiety around heat/open flames). Trauma therapy and counseling are common and important parts of burn recovery. Psychological support helps victims cope with the emotional toll of the injury and adjust to any life changes or new limitations they face, including the psychological impact of visible scars or disfigurement.
Long-Term Outlook
Recovering from a severe burn is often a long, nonlinear process. Patients may face setbacks like infections or complications that require rehospitalization. Some will have permanent impairments or chronic pain. It’s not unusual for a burn survivor’s treatment to continue for years after the initial injury – including additional surgeries, ongoing therapy, and regular doctor visits to monitor progress. All of this care is expensive and can be exhausting for the patient and family. Our firm recognizes that when we pursue a burn injury claim, we’re not just accounting for the bills you’ve already accumulated, but also the future medical needs and support you’ll require for a meaningful recovery. We work closely with medical experts to understand the full scope of your treatment plan and project the lifelong costs of care, so we can demand a settlement or verdict that truly covers all your needs.
Compensation for Burn Injury Victims
A burn injury can impose devastating financial costs on top of the physical and emotional pain. In California, if your burn was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you have the right to seek monetary damages through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. Compensation in burn injury cases is intended to make you “whole” for your losses (as much as money can) and to support you in your recovery. Our job as your attorneys is to pursue every type of compensation available to you. This often includes:
Medical Expenses (Past and Future)
This covers all medical bills related to your burn injury. That includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries (such as skin grafts or reconstructive surgeries), doctor visits, medication, medical equipment, and rehabilitation costs (physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc.). Burn injuries often require ongoing treatment long after the initial incident – we will claim the future medical costs as well, which may involve years of follow-up surgeries or therapy. Even seemingly small expenses like prescription creams, compression garments for scars, or travel costs to see specialists can be included.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity
Many burn victims have to miss work for an extended period – or may never be able to return to the same job. We will seek compensation for all the income you lost while recovering, including sick days or vacation time you had to use. If your burns cause a long-term disability that limits your ability to work (for example, severe burns to your hands limiting your manual dexterity, or mobility issues from grafts and scar contractures), we also pursue damages for loss of future earning capacity. This means the estimated difference between what you could have earned if the accident never happened and what you are likely to earn now with your injury. These damages help provide financial stability if you cannot return to your prior employment or have to take a lower-paying job due to your injuries.
Pain and Suffering
Burn injuries are notorious for the extreme pain and suffering they inflict. Unlike economic losses, pain and suffering are non-economic damages – essentially a monetary acknowledgment of the physical agony and the loss of enjoyment of life you’ve experienced. This accounts for the severe physical pain from the burns and treatments (burn wound care and grafts are extremely painful), as well as the ongoing chronic pain or discomfort you may live with. We present evidence of your pain through medical records and even testimony from you and your caregivers to demonstrate how profoundly the injury has affected your daily life. Burn survivors often endure many months of intense pain during recovery, and they deserve compensation that reflects that hardship.
Emotional Distress and PTSD
Beyond the physical pain, serious burns can leave deep psychological scars. It’s very common for burn survivors to suffer emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances (due to pain or nightmares), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The trauma of the accident itself – for instance, being trapped in a fire or experiencing an explosion – and the ordeal of a painful recovery can lead to lasting mental health struggles. California law allows you to recover damages for this emotional anguish. This can include the cost of therapy or counseling needed to treat these conditions, as well as a monetary amount for the suffering itself. We may use expert testimony from psychologists or psychiatrists to substantiate the mental health impact of your burn injury.
Scarring and Disfigurement
Burns frequently result in permanent scars or disfigurement, which can be more than cosmetic – they can affect your mobility (if, say, thick scars form across joints) and profoundly impact your self-confidence and social life. California recognizes that a victim should be compensated for physical disfigurement. Juries can award damages specifically for the embarrassment, inconvenience, or reduced quality of life that comes with permanent scarring. For example, a person burned on the face may struggle with social anxiety or depression due to altered appearance. We make sure to highlight the human impact of scarring in your case. Sometimes, additional funds for future plastic surgery may be part of these damages as well.
Other Economic Damages
Depending on your situation, there may be other monetary losses to claim. For instance, if your home or personal property was damaged in the incident (like a house fire that caused the burn injuries), those property losses might be recoverable from the responsible party. Or if you need home modifications (such as wheelchair ramps, special bedding, or a modified vehicle) due to mobility issues from the burns, we will include those costs. Additionally, if family members had to take time off work to care for you, or you needed to hire in-home care during recovery, those expenses can be part of your claim. Every financial impact of the injury should be accounted for.
Punitive Damages (in rare cases)
In typical burn injury cases, damages are meant to compensate you. However, in cases of egregious negligence or intentional harm, you might also seek punitive damages. These are not tied to your specific losses but rather are meant to punish the wrongdoer. An example might be a manufacturer that willfully ignored fire safety standards leading to an explosion, or an assault where someone intentionally burned you. Punitive damages in California require showing the defendant acted with malice, oppression, or extreme recklessness. While courts rarely award these in personal injury cases, we will evaluate if your case might qualify and pursue them if appropriate.
Every burn injury case is unique – the types and amounts of damages you can recover will depend on the circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries. Kubota & Craig will conduct a thorough analysis of all your losses with the help of medical and economic experts, ensuring that no component of your suffering is left uncompensated. Our goal is to secure a financial recovery that covers everything you need now and in the future so that you can focus on healing without the burden of financial worry.
Burn Injury Claim Process
Navigating a burn injury claim can be complex, but our experienced legal team will guide you through each stage. From the moment you hire Kubota & Craig, we take the lead so you can concentrate on your recovery. Here’s an overview of the burn injury claim process and how we handle your case:
Case Evaluation and Investigation
We begin with a detailed free consultation to understand how the burn occurred and the extent of your injuries. Once you decide to work with us, our attorneys immediately launch a comprehensive investigation. This may involve visiting the scene of the incident (or examining photographs if it’s already altered), collecting any available surveillance footage, and securing official reports (fire department reports, OSHA reports for workplace incidents, police reports if applicable). We also gather your medical records to document the treatment you’ve undergone. Often, we collaborate with experts in fire cause and origin, electrical engineering, chemical safety, or other relevant fields to pinpoint exactly how the burn happened and who is at fault. For example, if you were burned in a house fire, we might work with fire investigators to determine if faulty wiring or a defective appliance caused the blaze. This evidence-gathering phase is critical – it establishes the foundation of your claim by preserving proof of negligence and causation before it can disappear.
Identifying Liable Parties and Legal Strategy
Burn injury cases can involve multiple liable parties. Part of our job is to identify everyone who may be legally responsible for your injuries. Sometimes the at-fault party is obvious (for instance, a drunk driver who caused a fiery crash). Other times, liability is complex – imagine a scenario where you suffer burns in an apartment fire: the landlord might be liable for lacking smoke detectors or safe exits, a product manufacturer could be liable if a defective space heater caused the fire, and perhaps a neighbor whose negligence started the fire could share blame. We analyze contracts, maintenance records, product recalls, and more to leave no stone unturned. Once we know who we can hold accountable, we develop a legal strategy. In many cases, we will first file claims with the relevant insurance companies – for example, a homeowner’s insurance, renter’s insurance, or business liability insurance that covers the incident. We put those parties on notice that you intend to seek compensation.
Filing the Claim or Lawsuit
With evidence in hand, our team will prepare and file the necessary legal documents. If we’re proceeding with an insurance claim, we present a demand letter to the insurer outlining the facts of the case, the liability of their insured, and the damages (with documentation of medical bills, lost income, etc.) that we are seeking. In many burn cases – especially severe ones – we often proceed straight to filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. This is because high-value claims can’t be resolved amicably without the leverage of a lawsuit. Our attorneys will draft a complaint detailing how you were injured and why the defendants are liable, and we’ll file it before the statute of limitations expires. (In California, the statute of limitations for personal injury is typically two years from the date of injury – we make sure to file well within this deadline.) Once a lawsuit is filed, the legal process formally begins, and the defendants must answer the complaint.
Discovery and Building Your Case
After filing, both sides engage in discovery, exchanging information and evidence. During this phase, we may take depositions (sworn interviews) of key witnesses, the defendants, and expert witnesses. For a burn injury, we might depose firefighters or safety inspectors, medical specialists who can testify to your condition, or engineers who can speak about a product defect. We obtain any remaining evidence we need, such as internal documents from a company that could prove negligence (e.g. maintenance logs showing ignored safety issues). Throughout this process, we continue to build your case by compiling everything into a compelling narrative of liability and damages. We often create demonstrative evidence like accident reconstructions or medical illustrations of your injuries to use later in negotiations or trial.
Negotiation with Insurance Companies
Armed with a strong case, we usually enter negotiations with the insurance companies or defense attorneys for the at-fault parties. Burn injury claims often involve substantial damages, so initial settlement offers from insurers may be low – it’s our job to demand a fair settlement that truly reflects your losses. We will negotiate aggressively, leveraging the evidence we’ve gathered. For instance, if we can clearly show the defendant’s negligence (say, a building code violation that led to a fire) and we have detailed documentation of the high medical costs and life-changing impact of your burns, the other side is under pressure to settle. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who have achieved many significant settlements for injury victims. We will keep you informed of any offers and provide our guidance, but you will always have the final say on accepting a settlement. Our priority is that any settlement covers both your current and future needs.
Trial Preparation and Litigation
If the defense does not offer an acceptable settlement – which can happen if they dispute liability or the amount of damages – we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. Kubota & Craig is known for being trial-ready and not afraid to litigate tough cases in front of a jury. We will continue refining your case for court: prepping witness testimonies, exhibit evidence (like burn injury photographs, incident simulations, etc.), and legal arguments. In the courtroom, our trial lawyers present a compelling story of your experience, often using expert witnesses (for example, a burn surgeon to explain your recovery and future prognosis, or an economist to quantify your lifetime financial losses) to educate the jury. We handle all aspects of the trial – from jury selection to delivering persuasive opening and closing statements – with the goal of securing a favorable verdict. While trials can be unpredictable, rest assured that if we go to court, you have seasoned litigators on your side who know how to fight and win in front of a jury.
Throughout this entire process, Kubota & Craig will be by your side to answer questions and provide support. We take on the legal burdens so that you can focus on your healing. Our firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing upfront and no fees at all unless we win compensation for you. This aligns our interests with yours – we’re motivated to get you the maximum recovery possible, as quickly as possible.
Mid-Case Update & Support: Burn injury cases, especially serious ones, can take time to resolve. We understand the financial and emotional strain this can cause. Our attorneys will keep you updated at every stage and can even help coordinate things like medical liens or letter of protection so you can continue treatment while your case is pending. We are always just a phone call away to address any concerns.
Conclusion of the Case: Whether through settlement or verdict, we strive to conclude your case with a result that provides financial security and a sense of justice. Once your case resolves, we swiftly handle the disbursement of funds, making sure medical liens are paid and you receive your compensation promptly. Even after the case, we remain a resource for our clients – many of whom we consider part of the Kubota & Craig family going forward.
Why Kubota & Craig is the Best Firm for Orange County Burn Injury Victims
Choosing the right attorney after a catastrophic burn injury can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. At Kubota & Craig, we pride ourselves on being Orange County’s premier personal injury firm for burn victims and their families. Here’s why injured clients trust us with their burn injury claims:
Decades of Experience and Proven Results
Our legal team has decades of combined experience fighting for accident victims in Orange County. We have successfully handled numerous complex injury cases – including severe burn cases – and recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Founding attorneys Yoshiaki Kubota and Cynthia Craig are award-winning trial lawyers (both named among The Best Lawyers in America and National Trial Lawyers Top 100). We leverage this deep experience and track record of success in every burn injury case we take on. Insurance companies know we mean business, because our reputation is one of aggressive advocacy and top-performing results. When we enter negotiations or the courtroom, our opponents recognize that we have the skills and determination to win the maximum compensation you deserve.
Focused on Personal Injury – Including Burn Cases
Unlike general practice firms, personal injury law is all we do. Our focus is solely on injury victims, which means we understand the nuances of California negligence law, insurance tactics, and the specific challenges that burn injury cases present. We have handled cases involving house fires, workplace burns, defective products that caused burns, and more. This specialized knowledge allows us to anticipate the legal hurdles and build the strongest case for liability. We also have a network of expert witnesses (such as fire investigators, electrical engineers, and burn care specialists) whom we can call upon quickly to support your claim. In short, we have the expertise and resources necessary to take on even the most complex burn injury lawsuits.
Compassionate, Client-Centered Representation
Suffering a severe burn injury is traumatic, and we truly empathize with what you are going through. At Kubota & Craig, you’re not just another case number – you are a valued client and fellow community member, and we treat you with the compassion and respect you deserve. Our attorneys and staff take a personal, hands-on approach to every case. We will listen to your story, answer all your questions, and make sure you’re comfortable with the legal process. We know this is likely one of the toughest times in your life, so we strive to ease your burden by handling the hard stuff while keeping you informed. Clients often tell us they appreciate how accessible and responsive we are – when you call with concerns, you talk to your attorney directly. We also take care to explain the legal strategy in plain English, so you’re never in the dark. Your peace of mind is a top priority for us.
Local Orange County Knowledge
Our firm is based here in Orange County – this is our home, and we are deeply familiar with the local community and court systems. We have offices in Irvine and have represented clients from Santa Ana to Laguna Niguel to Anaheim and every place in between. Our local focus means we know the ins and outs of Orange County courts, the tendencies of local insurance adjusters and defense lawyers, and even the subtleties of local juries. We also understand California-specific laws (like state fire codes, product liability statutes, and negligence standards) that may impact your burn injury case. This local expertise can give you an edge. Furthermore, we are committed to our community – we don’t just work here, we live here, and we care about making our neighbors whole after devastating accidents. When you hire Kubota & Craig, you get a team that is 100% invested in Orange County and in your case.
Resources to Fight Big Insurance Companies
Burn injury cases can involve going up against large insurance companies or corporations – for example, a major homeowner’s insurer, a product manufacturing company, or a corporate employer. These entities have significant resources to fight claims. At Kubota & Craig, we have the resources and litigation support to match them. Our firm has won large and complex cases because we are willing to invest in what it takes – whether that means hiring top-tier experts, using cutting-edge technology to demonstrate your story, or dedicating many attorney hours to painstakingly prepare evidence. We operate on a contingency fee, which means our success is tied to yours, and we spare no expense in pursuing the best outcome. The defense will quickly realize that we are not going to back down or settle for less than you deserve. We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, and our thorough approach often pushes the opposition to offer a fair settlement rather than face us before a jury.
No Fee Unless We Win – 100% Commitment
We believe every burn injury victim should have access to quality legal representation, regardless of financial status. That’s why we work on a “No Recovery, No Fee” basis. From day one, you pay nothing out-of-pocket. We advance all costs of litigation (investigators, filing fees, expert witnesses, etc.), and you owe us nothing unless and until we win money for you. This promise underscores our confidence in our ability to deliver results. It also means our goals are aligned: we are motivated to maximize your compensation. Moreover, our free consultations carry no obligation – even if you’re not sure you have a case, we welcome you to speak with us and we’ll give honest, compassionate advice. We are confident that once you talk to our team, you’ll understand why Kubota & Craig has a reputation for excellence and trustworthiness. We take our ethical duty seriously and pride ourselves on honest, transparent communication and acting in our clients’ best interests at all times.
When you choose Kubota & Craig as your burn injury lawyers, you’re choosing a firm that will stand with you every step of the way. From the first call to the final resolution, we pour our heart, skill, and tenacity into your case. Our mission is simple: to win you the financial resources you need and deserve, while providing the caring support you require during this difficult journey. Let us handle the fight for justice so you can focus on healing and reclaiming your life.
Ready to talk? We invite you to reach out for a free consultation. We’ll review the details of your burn injury, answer your questions, and explain how we can help – with no pressure and no fees unless we win for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be held liable for my burn injury?
Liability for a burn injury depends on where and how the burn happened. In many cases, multiple parties could share responsibility. For example, if you were burned in an apartment fire, a landlord might be liable for unsafe conditions (like non-working smoke alarms or blocked fire exits), a neighbor could be liable if their negligence started the fire (such as leaving a candle unattended), or a product manufacturer might be at fault if a defective appliance caused the blaze. In a workplace burn accident, your employer might have some liability (often handled through workers’ compensation), but if a third party’s negligence contributed – say a contractor or equipment manufacturer – they could be sued in a personal injury claim. For burns from car accidents, the at-fault driver can be liable. Every situation is unique, so it’s crucial to have an attorney investigate all possible avenues. Our lawyers will identify all potential defendants (individuals, companies, government entities) to ensure you pursue compensation from every responsible source.
What damages can I recover from a burn injury lawsuit?
You can claim a wide range of damages to cover both your economic losses and non-economic suffering. Typical damages in a burn injury case include: medical expenses (hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, future medical care needs), lost wages (income lost during recovery) and loss of earning capacity (if your burns affect your ability to work in the future), pain and suffering (for the physical pain and emotional anguish you’ve endured), scarring and disfigurement (compensation for permanent scars or disabilities and their impact on your life), and emotional distress (for conditions like PTSD, depression, or anxiety resulting from the trauma). In rare cases involving egregious wrongdoing, punitive damages might also be possible, though these are uncommon. Essentially, any financial cost or personal harm you suffered because of the burn can be translated into a compensable damage. Our attorneys will thoroughly document all your losses – from big to small – to maximize your recovery.
How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in California?
In California, the general statute of limitations for personal injury cases (including burn injuries) is two years from the date of the injury. This means you typically have 2 years to file a lawsuit, or you lose the right to do so. There are some exceptions and nuances: for example, if your claim is against a government entity (say you were burned due to negligence by a city or county agency), you must file a special claim notice within 6 months of the injury. If the victim is a minor, the 2-year clock might not start until they turn 18. And if the injury wasn’t discovered right away (not usually the case with burns, since they are immediately apparent), the clock could start when you discovered it. It’s very important not to delay – two years can pass quickly, and preparing a solid case takes time. We recommend contacting a burn injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. This not only helps ensure you meet all deadlines, but also allows your attorney to promptly gather evidence before it’s lost. If you’re unsure about timing, our team can quickly assess the timeline and make sure your rights are protected.
What if my burn injury happened at work? Can I sue my employer?
If you suffered a burn injury on the job in California, your situation may involve workers’ compensation and potentially a separate lawsuit. Generally, you cannot sue your direct employer for a workplace injury (in exchange, workers’ comp is a no-fault system that covers medical bills and a portion of lost wages). So if you were burned at work – say, by a chemical spill or in an industrial accident – you would file a workers’ comp claim with your employer’s insurance. However, you can pursue a third-party personal injury claim if someone other than your employer was partly at fault. For example, if you’re a construction worker burned by a defective piece of equipment, you could sue the equipment manufacturer for product liability. Or if a subcontractor’s negligence caused a fire or explosion on a job site, that subcontractor could be liable in a separate lawsuit. In such cases, you can receive workers’ comp benefits and also file a lawsuit against the third party. Our attorneys are experienced in identifying third-party claims for injured workers. We coordinate the workers’ comp aspect with any civil claim to make sure you get full compensation. If your employer doesn’t carry workers’ comp insurance (which is illegal, but it happens), you may then have the option to sue the employer directly. Because work-related burn injuries can be legally complex, it’s wise to consult with us so we can explain your rights and the best strategy.
How much will it cost to hire Kubota & Craig for my burn injury case?
It costs nothing upfront to hire us. Kubota & Craig works on a contingency fee basis for burn injury cases. This means we do not charge any retainer or hourly fees. We only get paid if and when we win money for you, either through a settlement or a court judgment. Our fee will be an agreed-upon percentage of the recovery. If we don’t recover anything for you, you owe us $0 in attorney fees. This arrangement allows anyone, regardless of finances, to obtain top-tier legal representation. We also advance all case costs (for investigators, expert witnesses, filing fees, etc.), and those are reimbursed from the settlement or verdict – again, only if we win. There are no hidden costs and no risk for you in hiring us. During your free consultation, we’ll explain the contingency agreement in detail. Our goal is to make the process as stress-free as possible: you already have medical bills and other worries after a burn injury, so we make sure legal fees are one thing you don’t have to worry about. This way, you can retain our firm and get us started on your case immediately, without paying a dime out of pocket. We are confident enough in our ability to help you that we shoulder the financial risk and only get paid upon success.
Contact Kubota & Craig for a Free Consultation
Burn injuries can turn your world upside down – but you don’t have to go through this alone. Let our experienced and compassionate team help you pursue the resources you need to heal and move forward.
Contact Kubota & Craig today at (949) 218-5676 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and outline a strategy to seek justice for you. You pay nothing unless we win. We are ready to be your advocate and fight for the compensation and peace of mind you deserve.
