Severe Burns Claims
Severe burns claims solicitors in England
Serious burns can mean repeated surgery, painful dressings, permanent scarring, contractures that limit movement, and deep psychological injury. Cooper Hall Solicitors helps people across England bring severe burns claims when the injury was caused by another party’s negligence – at work, on the road, in rented housing, or in other settings where a duty of care was breached.
Parent hub: serious injury claims. SRA 639467 / Bradford BD7 1HR / Blackburn BB2 2DH.
What a severe burns claim involves
Burns claims may arise from workplace fires or explosions, defective products, scalding incidents, chemical exposure, electrical injury or road collisions involving fire. Beyond the acute hospital phase, claims often need to capture:
- Reconstructive and revision surgery over time
- Scar management, pressure garments and therapy
- Psychological injury and body-image support
- Care, adaptations, clothing, travel and loss of earnings
Photographs (taken sensitively), medical records and expert plastics/burns evidence are central. We also consider whether interim funding can unlock earlier private treatment where appropriate.
Interim payments while the claim continues
Serious burns injury claims often take years because the long-term prognosis must be clear before final valuation. That does not mean you must wait for every bill to be paid from your own pocket. Where liability is admitted (or strongly evidenced), we can seek interim payments to help fund treatment, care, equipment, adaptations and lost income while the claim continues. We apply for these as early as the evidence allows.
Rehabilitation and the Rehabilitation Code
Early, coordinated rehabilitation can make a real difference after a serious burns injury. Where appropriate, we work within the spirit of the Rehabilitation Code – encouraging early needs assessment and, where the defendant insurer engages, funding for treatment and support that aids recovery without waiting for final settlement.
Rehabilitation may include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological support, pain management, vocational rehab and other specialist input depending on your injuries. We push for needs to be assessed properly rather than left until the end of the case.
Case managers
For complex burns injury claims, an independent case manager can coordinate care, therapy and practical support – liaising with clinicians, family and carers so rehabilitation stays organised. Case-management costs that are reasonably required because of the injury can form part of the claim. We discuss when a case manager is likely to help and how that fits with interim funding.
Home adaptations, care costs and loss of earnings
Life-changing burns injury often change how you live and work. Special damages can include, where evidenced:
- Home adaptations – access changes, wet rooms, adapted kitchens, or alternative accommodation needs assessed with occupational therapy and housing experts where required.
- Care and assistance – professional care and unpaid care provided by family, valued properly rather than overlooked.
- Aids and equipment – mobility aids, prostheses and related kit (where relevant), and other equipment recommended by experts.
- Loss of earnings and pension – time off work, reduced hours, changed role, or permanent loss of earning capacity, including future career path where the evidence supports it.
Personal injury trusts and the Court of Protection
A large compensation award can affect means-tested benefits if paid into your own name. A personal injury trust is often used to hold damages so that benefits entitlement can be protected, subject to the rules that apply to your situation. We explain the timing and practical steps; for a plain-English overview see our article How a Personal Injury Trust Protects Benefits.
Where the injured person lacks mental capacity to manage the claim or the award, the Court of Protection may need to appoint a deputy (or approve a settlement). We guide families through capacity issues carefully. This is general information – your circumstances decide what is required.
What compensation can include
There is no fixed settlement figure for severe burns claims. Valuation is case-specific. For pain, suffering and loss of amenity, the Judicial College Guidelines are commonly used as a reference alongside medical evidence and comparable case law. Cooper Hall does not publish guideline bands or predicted pound figures on this page (none are published as ranges on our live serious-injury pages).
A claim may include general damages for pain and suffering, and special damages for care, adaptations, earnings, rehabilitation, case management, travel and other financial losses – including future needs where evidenced.
This page does not guarantee compensation or any particular amount. Other clients’ outcomes do not predict yours.
Time limits in England (general information)
This is general information about limitation in England, not formal legal advice.
- Usual rule: many adults have three years from the accident (or from the date of knowledge in some non-RTA contexts) to start a court claim.
- Children: the three-year period generally runs from the 18th birthday.
- Lack of capacity: if the injured person lacks mental capacity to conduct litigation, time may not run in the usual way while that continues.
- Fatal claims: estate and dependant claims have specific time limits – seek advice promptly.
Serious injury cases need early evidence gathering even when final prognosis is not yet clear. Contact us sooner rather than later.
Severe burns claims – frequently asked questions
What counts as a severe burns claim?
Claims for serious burn injuries caused by another party’s negligence – including thermal, chemical, electrical or scald injuries – with lasting scarring, functional impairment, psychological harm or the need for reconstruction and long-term care.
Can interim payments fund private treatment or reconstruction?
Where liability allows, interim payments may help fund treatment, pressure garments, therapy, care, adaptations and lost earnings while the claim continues. We discuss what is realistic on the evidence.
How does rehabilitation work after severe burns?
We encourage early needs assessment consistent with the Rehabilitation Code, including plastics and burns follow-up, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychological support and, in complex cases, a case manager.
Are care costs, home adaptations and lost earnings claimable?
Where evidenced, yes. Severe burns can require help with dressings, personal care, adapted housing or workplace adjustments, and substantial time off work. Valuation is case-specific; we do not publish pound settlement bands here.
Do personal injury trusts apply to burns settlements?
Large awards are often considered for a personal injury trust to help protect means-tested benefits. Court of Protection steps may apply if capacity is affected. See our article on how a personal injury trust protects benefits for an overview.
How long do I have to bring a burns claim in England?
Many adults have three years from the accident. Children generally have three years from their 18th birthday. Capacity and fatal-claim rules can differ. Seek advice early while records and photographs are available.
Request a free assessment of your severe burns claim
Enquiries are confidential. Call 0333 777 5001, Bradford 01274 488877, or Blackburn 01254 943385, or email enquiries@cooperhallsolicitors.co.uk.
If serious burns were caused by someone else’s negligence, we can help you pursue interim support and a claim that looks ahead to reconstruction, care and work – No Win No Fee where appropriate.
Cooper Hall Solicitors – severe burns and serious injury claims across England. SRA 639467. Bradford BD7 1HR / Blackburn BB2 2DH. Serious injury hub / Personal injury trusts.