Portland Burn Injury Attorney

A burn injury is one of the most serious forms of damage you can sustain, leading to severe pain, extensive medical treatment, and emotional trauma. If you developed a burn injury due to the negligence of another person, you could file a lawsuit or insurance claim against him or her—and the Portland burn injury lawyers at DuBois Law Group – PDX Injury Law can help. For years, we have helped thousands of Oregon residents secure the compensation they deserve, and we can fight for your right to maximum recovery.

Why Choose A Portland Burn Injury Attorney From DuBois Law Group – PDX Injury Law?

• Navigating a lawsuit or insurance claim can be difficult after a burn injury. Our Portland personal injury attorneys will handle each aspect of your case so you can focus on healing.
• Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis—if we do not secure compensation in your case, you do not pay legal fees.
• Our firm takes a proactive role in our clients’ health through our medical department. Our staff will help connect you with specialists who can provide the treatment you need.

What Types of Burn Injuries Can Our Attorneys Help With?

There are many different types of burns based on what caused the injury:

• Chemical burns: Occur when the skin comes in contact with strong acids and bases, such as sulfuric acid or alkaloids.
• Electrical burns: Happen when an electrical current flows through a person’s body.
• Inhalation burns: Result when a person breathes smoke or fumes during a fire.
• Radiation (ultraviolet) burns: Take place when a person has prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. These burns can also result from using a tanning bed.
• Thermal/contact burns: Result when a person’s body comes in contact with a very hot item, such as hot metal, steam, scalding liquids, or flames.

Additionally, burn injuries are classified into three categories: first-, second-, and third-degree burns.

A first-degree burn injury:

Involves the top layer of the skin, such as sunburn. Signs of a first-degree burn are redness, the area is painful to touch, and mild swelling. Treatment for this type of burn injury is fairly easy. First-degree burn injury victims should apply a wet, cold compress to the area or immerse the area in cold water until pain stops. Then, cover the burn area with a bandage or clean cloth that is sterile and non-adhesive. You should not apply ointments to the burn injury as they could cause infection. If you are experiencing pain or the area is inflamed, these symptoms can likely be treated with over-the-counter pain medications. Further treatment is not usually needed.

A second-degree burn injury:

Involves the first two layers of the skin. Indications of a second-degree burn are a deep reddening of the area, blisters, a glossy appearance from leaking body fluid, and potential loss of skin. To treat a second-degree burn injury, you should apply a cold compress to the area or immerse it in cold water for 10 to 15 minutes. Dry, and cover the burn with sterile gauze. You should not break any blisters that have formed or apply ointment to the injury. You will need to elevate arms or legs that are burned. To prevent shock, a second-degree burn injury victim will need to be laid flat with their feet elevated about one foot high. They should be covered with a coat or blanket and medical attention should be immediately sought.

A third-degree burn injury:

Breaks the skin’s entire thickness and permanently destroys tissue. This is a severe Oregon burn injury and results in the loss of multiple skin layers. The skin may be painless unless there are nearby sections of first- and second-degree burns, which will be painful. The skin may be leathery and dry, and will appear burnt, and may have patches that are brown, white, or black. To treat a third-degree burn injury, cover the area lightly with a clean cloth or sterile gauze. As with second-degree burns, do not apply ointments to the injury, and a victim should be laid flat with the feet elevated one foot high to prevent shock. If their face is severely burned, have a victim sit up and watch them closely for breathing problems. Anyone who has suffered a third-degree burn injury will need immediate medical attention.

What Are The Common Causes of Burn Injuries?

According to the American Burn Association, approximately 486,000 people need to receive medical treatment for burn injuries in the United States each year. These injuries can occur for several reasons, including contact with hot liquids, open flames, faulty electrical wiring, and dangerous corrosive chemicals.

In many cases, burn injuries occur during the course of serious accidents caused by another person. Some of the most common causes of burn injuries include the following.

• Car accidents: Gasoline in vehicles could ignite, causing fires that burn the occupants inside (please visit our Portland car accident attorney page)
• Defective products: Certain products may overheat, spark, and catch fire, leading to serious burns. (Please see our Portland product liability lawyer page)
• Gas explosions: Negligent constructions and poor workplace safety standards can lead to dangerous explosions that burn employees and nearby residents.
• House, apartment, and hotel fires: Structure fires can lead to serious injuries and devastating fatalities, especially if certain safety standards are not met.

Treatment, Skin Grafts, and the Long-Term Cost of a Serious Burn

Nearly every serious burn patient in the Portland area is treated at the Legacy Oregon Burn Center at Legacy Emanuel, the only burn center in Oregon and one of a handful in the Northwest. Treatment for a deep second-degree or third-degree burn does not end when the wound closes. It typically involves debridement, one or more skin graft surgeries, weeks of inpatient care, and months of physical therapy to prevent contractures as the grafts heal. Many patients require additional reconstructive surgeries over years to release scar tissue and restore movement, along with scar revision, laser treatment, and pressure garments worn around the clock. Burns to the face and hands are especially life-altering, and the psychological toll, including post-traumatic stress and depression, is well documented and compensable.

That is why burn injury claims are valued differently from most injury cases. The medical bills are large, but the permanent scarring and disfigurement, the loss of function, and the effect on work, relationships, and daily life account for the majority of the recovery. Oregon no longer caps noneconomic damages in personal injury cases, so a jury can award the full measure of that loss. Our Portland burn injury lawyers build these cases with the burn center’s treating surgeons, life care planners for future reconstructive needs, and vocational experts, the same approach we use in our catastrophic injury practice. Our article on Oregon burn injury statistics describes how common these injuries are and when they peak.

Apartment Fires, House Fires, and Defective Product Burns

Residential fires are the most common source of the severe burn cases we see. When a fire starts in a rental unit, the landlord’s obligations under Oregon law come into focus: working smoke detectors, safe electrical wiring, functioning heating equipment, unobstructed exits, and compliance with fire codes. A landlord who ignored a tenant’s complaints about faulty wiring or a broken smoke alarm can be held liable under Oregon premises liability law. Space heaters, faulty appliances, and, increasingly, lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes and e-scooters that ignite while charging are among the leading causes, and a battery, charger, or appliance that starts a fire during normal use supports a product liability claim against the manufacturer regardless of where the fire occurred. Vehicle fires after a collision, fuel system defects, and airbag and battery pack failures in electric vehicles create claims against both the at-fault driver and the manufacturer. Fireworks injuries spike every July; our guides on Fourth of July fireworks safety cover prevention, and when a defective firework or a negligent user causes a burn, the same rules apply.

Workplace Burns and Third-Party Claims

Burns are common in restaurants, construction, manufacturing, and utility work. When you are burned on the job, workers’ compensation pays medical bills and a portion of lost wages but nothing for pain, scarring, or loss of enjoyment of life, and it bars a lawsuit against your employer. It does not bar a claim against anyone else. If a subcontractor, equipment manufacturer, property owner, or delivery driver caused the fire or explosion, you can pursue a third-party injury claim for full damages while workers’ compensation continues. Identifying that third party early is one of the most valuable things a burn injury attorney can do for an injured worker. Where the responsible party’s conduct was reckless, punitive damages may be available; see our FAQ on punitive damages in personal injury cases. When a fire is fatal, our Portland wrongful death lawyers represent the family.

What Are The Legal Options for Portland Burn Injury Victims?

If you sustain a burn injury in Portland, you may have the right to pursue legal action against certain parties. Your legal options will vary based on the cause of your burn and who may be liable for the accident.

• If you suffer a burn injury in a car accident, you could file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
• If you are injured due to a defective product, you could file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer.
• If your burn injury occurs due to a structure fire or due to a hazard on someone else’s property, the landlord, property owner, or hotel owner could be held accountable through a lawsuit or insurance claim. If this is the case, contact a Portland premises liability lawyer. 
• If you sustain a burn injury while performing your work duties, you could file a workers’ compensation claim regardless of fault or negligence.
• If the injury occurred due to a gas explosion, chemical exposure, or electrocution caused by another person’s negligence, the negligent party could be held accountable through a lawsuit.

How Long Do You Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Oregon?

Oregon’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims, ORS 12.110, gives you two years from the date of the burn to file a lawsuit, and that deadline remains in effect as of 2026. Product liability claims for a defective appliance, battery, or vehicle component follow ORS 30.905, with its own two-year limit and ten-year repose period, and claims against a city, county, or other public body require a tort claim notice within 180 days. Fire scenes are cleaned up and rebuilt quickly, and fire marshal reports, the appliance or battery that started the fire, and witness accounts must be secured early. Contacting a Portland burn injury attorney while treatment is still underway protects the evidence and gives the reconstructive-care experts time to do their work.

Contact A Portland Burn Injury Lawyer From DuBois Law Group – PDX Injury Law Today

If you are the victim of a burn injury in Oregon, you may have grounds for financial compensation. In these situations, the Portland burn injury attorneys at DuBois Law Group can fight for your right to maximum recovery. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and identify your optimal path forward. (503) 222-4411