San Diego Burn Injury Attorney

Can a San Diego Burn Injury Lawyer Help You?

Burns don’t heal the way other injuries do. A broken bone mends. A cut closes. But burns damage more than just skin—they strip away the body’s natural defense, exposing nerves, increasing infection risks, and leading to pain that lasts far beyond the initial injury.

Some burns go even deeper, damaging muscles, nerves, and bones. A person who leaves home in the morning for work, school, or errands can end the day in an ambulance, facing surgeries, months of rehabilitation, and a future that looks nothing like it did before. The cost of treatment can reach millions, and insurance doesn’t always cover everything.

A San Diego burn injury attorney at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire takes on cases where landlords ignored safety codes, businesses failed to fix fire hazards, and companies sold dangerous products. These injuries aren’t accidents—they are the result of choices, and those choices come with responsibility.

Call (619) 236-9363 or contact us online to learn how we hold them accountable.

What Causes Burn Injuries in San Diego?

Burn injuries in San Diego result from a range of incidents, spanning everyday settings to complex industrial accidents. These include:

• Automobile accidents;
• Truck, bus, and other large vehicle accidents;
• Electric scooter and eBike accidents;
• Motorcycle accidents;
• Building fires due to negligent landlords, property managers, and homeowners;
• Wildfires caused by negligent or reckless conduct;
• Exposure to chemicals and hazardous materials;
• Workplace incidents involving steam, hot surfaces, or industrial fires;
• Defective products that overheat, explode, or catch fire; and
• Electrical burns caused by faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or unsafe equipment.

A San Diego lawyer investigates these incidents. They find the cause, identify who lacked safety awareness, and determine how the injury could have been prevented.

Burn Injuries Are More Than Just Skin Damage

The skin does more than cover the body—it regulates temperature, protects against infection, and shields muscles and nerves. When it’s burned away, recovery extends far beyond the emergency room.

• First-degree burns—red, painful skin, similar to a sunburn.
• Second-degree burns—blisters, raw skin, and possible long-term scarring.
• Third-degree burns—charred or leathery skin, nerve damage, and potential loss of sensation.
• Fourth-degree burns—damage that reaches muscle, tendons, and bone, often requiring amputation.

Burn victims also face:

• Infections. Open wounds create a direct entry point for bacteria, increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions.
• Nerve damage. Once nerve endings are destroyed, movement and sensation may never return.
• Respiratory injuries. Smoke, chemicals, and superheated air can leave permanent lung damage.
• Psychological trauma. PTSD, depression, and emotional struggles follow many burn injuries.

Patients often spend weeks in intensive care, followed by years of rehabilitation. Our San Diego burn injury law firm ensures victims don’t have to take on those costs alone.

Skin grafts, nerve damage, and ongoing burn injury treatments can last for months or years. If you or a loved one suffered serious burns, talk to a San Diego burn injury attorney at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire. Call (619) 236-9363 or contact us online today.

Who Can Be Held Liable for Burn Injuries?

Determining liability in a burn injury case isn’t always simple. Fires, explosions, and chemical exposures often have multiple contributing factors, and identifying the responsible parties requires an in-depth investigation.

Landlords and Property Owners

Landlords and property owners must keep rental units and businesses up to code under California Health & Safety Code. Missing smoke detectors, outdated electrical wiring, and locked or blocked fire exits put lives at risk. When property owners fail to meet these safety requirements, tenants and visitors pay the price.

Employers and Contractors

Employers and contractors oversee some of the most hazardous work environments in San Diego. Restaurants, construction sites, and industrial plants expose employees to scalding liquids, electrical currents, and flammable materials. If a third-party contractor, safety manager, or equipment manufacturer caused the unsafe conditions, they may be liable.

Product Manufacturers

Product manufacturers have a duty to release safe consumer goods. When a faulty e-cigarette explodes, a space heater catches fire, or a defective battery sparks a blaze, victims have the right to seek compensation. California product liability laws allow injured consumers to hold these companies responsible.

Utility Companies

Utility companies have been at the center of some of California’s worst fires. Power companies that fail to maintain electrical infrastructure can be held liable when downed lines, sparks, or transformer failures ignite wildfires.

A burn injury attorney in San Diego builds a case that holds every negligent party accountable, whether it’s a landlord, manufacturer, or corporate utility provider.

“I’ve met clients who walked into a restaurant, their office, or a store expecting a normal day, only to end up in a hospital bed, burned and in pain. They want to know why it happened and who should have prevented it. That’s why we take these cases—to get them the answers and accountability they deserve.”

— Vincent J. Bartolotta, Jr. | Founding Partner at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire

Compensation for Burn Victims in California

A burn injury claim covers more than just medical costs. Damages may include:

• Medical expenses,
• Lost wages and future earnings,
• Pain and suffering, and
• Rehabilitation and therapy.

Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire has secured results that have allowed burn survivors to move forward. We have won $14.5 million for a gas explosion victim with third-degree burns and $2.5 million for a fatal vehicle fire caused by a defective fuel system.‍

Studies show that burn victims who hire a lawyer recover higher compensation than those who go it alone. The costs of hospital stays, multiple surgeries, and lifelong treatment add up fast, and many insurance companies won’t cover long-term expenses.

Why Hire Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire?

With burn injuries, the cost of medical treatment, lost income, and rehabilitation can add up fast, and insurance companies rarely pay what victims need. A burn injury lawyer in San Diego fights to ensure no one is left paying out of pocket for someone else’s negligence.

That includes:

• Investigating the cause—from an apartment fire in Mission Beach to a gas explosion in Chula Vista or a defective product in La Jolla;
• Working with burn specialists and rehabilitation experts who understand the long-term medical and mobility effects of severe burns;
• Calculating immediate and long-term expenses, including lost wages, ongoing treatment, and home modifications for burn survivors;
• Blocking insurance tactics that undervalue the cost of pain, scarring, and emotional trauma; and
• Preparing every case for trial, ensuring insurance companies and at-fault parties can’t get away with low settlement offers.

The San Diego burn injury attorneys at Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire take on cases that demand full accountability—because burn victims deserve more than quick settlements.

Speak with a San Diego Burn Injury Lawyer Today

Recovering from a burn injury means more than medical treatment—it means having the financial stability to move forward without the stress of unpaid bills, lost income, and long-term rehabilitation costs.

For over 30 years, Thorsnes Bartolotta McGuire has represented burn survivors in San Diego, making sure those responsible answer for their actions. Every case gets the time, resources, and commitment it deserves.

If a burn injury has impacted your life, our burn injury attorneys in San Diego are here to help. Call (619) 236-9363 or contact us online to speak with a San Diego burn injury lawyer today.

Proudly Representing San Diego Residents