Burns rarely heal on a set schedule. Grafts, therapy, and scar care can stretch on long after you leave the hospital, and a burn injury lawyer in New Britain can help you find out who should pay for that care. The Law Offices of James A. Welcome looks at the fire, property, or other circumstances behind your burn and builds the claim from there.
We handle these cases as part of our practice as a personal injury lawyer in New Britain, and we hold every case to one standard: results you can trust. Injury consultations are free, and you can speak with our trilingual team in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
Who May Be Responsible for a Burn in New Britain
Responsibility depends on where and how the burn happened. A landlord who ignored a broken heater, a restaurant that served a drink far too hot, or a store that left a chemical spill unmarked may each owe you damages. So may a contractor whose unsafe work caused a fire or a property owner who failed to address a known hazard.
Work burns are different. Workers’ compensation usually covers injuries on the job, and you generally can’t sue your own employer. But if an outside contractor or property owner caused the burn, you may have a separate claim against them.
Sometimes more than one party shares the blame. A fire might start because of faulty electrical work and spread because a landlord let the smoke alarms die. Each responsible party may be liable for its share.
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How Much is a Burn Injury Case Worth in Connecticut?
How much a burn injury case is worth in Connecticut depends on the depth and location of the burn, the cost of your past and future care, your lost income, and how fault is shared under C.G.S. § 52-572h. No two burn cases are valued the same way.
Online settlement calculators can’t account for these details. Neither can a “multiplier” rule of thumb. A fair value comes from the facts of your case, including:
- Whether the burn needed skin grafts or will need more surgery
- Where the scars are and how visible they are
- Whether your hands, joints, or face lost movement or function
- How long you were out of work, and whether you can return to the same job
- How much insurance the at-fault person or company carries
Your share of the blame matters too. Connecticut lowers your award by your percentage of fault and bars recovery if your share is greater than the combined share of the people you sue. Welcome Law Firm can explain what each of these factors means for your claim.
When a Burn Happens in Public Housing or on Government Property
For most burn claims, you generally have two years from the date of injury, or from when you discovered it, under C.G.S. § 52-584. If a public agency may be involved, Welcome Law Firm can check which deadline applies before any time runs out.
A fire in an apartment owned or run by a housing authority follows a much shorter notice rule. Under C.G.S. § 8-67, you must give written notice of your claim to the housing authority’s chairman or secretary within six months. A lawsuit must then be filed within two years.
Courts have thrown out claims when the notice went to the wrong person or arrived late. A letter to the front office may not be enough. Claims against a city or the state can carry their own notice rules as well.
Getting Burn Care in New Britain and Beyond
Many New Britain burn patients start at the emergency room at The Hospital of Central Connecticut on Grand Street. Severe injuries may go to Hartford Hospital, a Level 1 Trauma Center up I-84.
Patients who need dedicated burn care are often transferred to the Connecticut Burn Center at Bridgeport Hospital. It’s the only burn center in the state, and the hospital notes that its patients come from across Connecticut. For a New Britain family, that can mean weeks of long drives for follow-up visits.
Those trips add up. Mileage, parking, tolls, and time a family member takes off work to drive you can all be part of your claim. Keep a simple log of every visit from the start.
Evidence That Shows Who Caused Your Burn
Proof of fault often disappears quickly after a fire or explosion. These records and items can show what went wrong:
- The origin-and-cause report from the New Britain Fire Department Fire Marshal’s Office
- The New Britain Police Department report, if the burn came from a crash or a crime
- Photos of the fire scene, damaged property, and any equipment involved
- Maintenance, inspection, and repair records for the building or equipment
- Photos, phone videos, and security camera footage
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses
Under C.G.S. § 29-302, the local fire marshal must look into the cause of any fire that injures someone. A New Britain burn injury attorney can request that report and send letters asking property owners and companies to keep their records and video.
Burns From Crashes on I-84, Route 9, and City Streets
A crash can burn you in several ways. Fuel can ignite, an electric vehicle battery can catch fire, and hot engine fluids can spray into the cabin. Airbags and road surfaces can also cause friction and chemical burns.
Connecticut is an at-fault state, so the driver who caused the crash and their insurer may be responsible for your losses. Serious burns can cost more than a driver’s policy covers. Your own underinsured motorist coverage may help make up the difference.
If your crash happened on I-84 or Route 9, Connecticut State Police may handle the report. On Stanley Street, Corbin Avenue, or other city roads, the New Britain Police Department usually responds.
Working With a Burn Injury Attorney in New Britain at Welcome Law Firm
Welcome Law Firm has helped injured Connecticut residents since 2007. Founder James A. Welcome has more than 20 years of experience in injury and immigration law, and he is a member of the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association.
We have recovered millions of dollars for injured clients. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Our Hartford office is a short drive up I-84 from New Britain, and you can also meet with our team by Zoom, so you don’t need to travel to an office.
Take the Next Step With Welcome Law Firm
A burn changes your health, your work, and your family’s routine all at once. You shouldn’t also have to fight an insurance company by yourself. Call Welcome Law Firm to speak with a burn injury lawyer in New Britain about who caused your burn and what your claim may cover.
Set up your free injury consultation with Welcome Law Firm. You pay no attorney’s fee on an injury claim unless we recover money for you.
