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Burn Injury Lawyer in Massachusetts

A serious burn injury means weeks in a burn unit, multiple surgeries, a lifetime of scar tissue, and a body that doesn't work the way it used to. If someone else's negligence caused the fire, chemical spill, electrical fault, or defective product that burned you, Massachusetts law gives you the right to pursue compensation from the party responsible.


Attorney Jason Ranallo has represented injury victims across Massachusetts since 2002, including workers, drivers, tenants, and consumers hurt by hazards someone else should have prevented. If you or a family member suffered a burn injury anywhere in the Commonwealth, call (781) 344-6200 for a free consultation.

Types of Burn Injuries We Handle



Burn accident lawyers see cases that fall into a few distinct categories, and the type of burn often points directly to who caused it.


Thermal Burns

From open flames, scalding liquids, hot surfaces, or steam. Common in building fires, restaurant kitchens, and defective appliance cases.


Chemical Burns

Caused by acids, solvents, cleaning agents, or industrial chemicals contacting skin or eyes, often in workplaces or from mislabeled products.


Electrical Burns

From exposed wiring, faulty equipment, or contact with power lines. Damage often extends beneath the skin to muscle and nerve tissue.


Radiation Burns

Linked to medical equipment malfunctions or improper occupational exposure to radioactive materials or UV sources.


Friction Burns

Caused by skin dragging against a rough surface at speed, common in motorcycle and bicycle accidents (road rash) and industrial machinery.

Understanding Burn Severity: First Through Fourth Degree


Doctors classify burns by how deep the damage goes, and that classification drives both your medical treatment and the value of your claim.

  • First-degree burns damage only the outer layer of skin (epidermis), causing redness and pain similar to a sunburn. These typically heal without scarring within a week.
  • Second-degree burns reach the layer beneath the epidermis (dermis), causing blistering, swelling, and significant pain. Deeper second-degree burns can require skin grafts and leave permanent scarring.
  • Third-degree burns destroy both layers of skin and often the tissue below, leaving the area leathery, white, or charred. Nerve endings are frequently destroyed, so the area may feel numb even though the injury is severe. Surgery is almost always required.
  • Fourth-degree burns extend through the skin into muscle, tendon, or bone. These are life-threatening injuries that often require amputation and extensive reconstructive care.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Massachusetts


We see burn cases arise from a recurring set of circumstances across the Commonwealth.

  • Workplace accidents: contact with industrial equipment, welding operations, steam lines, or chemical processing without proper safety protocols or protective gear.
  • Defective products: faulty wiring in appliances, malfunctioning space heaters, exploding batteries, or products missing adequate warning labels.
  • Car and motorcycle accidents: fuel system ruptures, engine fires, or road rash from being thrown from a motorcycle.
  • Building fires: fires caused by faulty wiring, missing smoke detectors, blocked exits, or a landlord's failure to maintain fire safety systems in an apartment building.
  • Chemical exposure: spills or improper handling of industrial chemicals, cleaning agents, or lab materials, whether at a job site or in a consumer product.

Long-Term Impacts of Severe Burn Injuries


A severe burn's effects rarely end when the wound closes. Scarring and disfigurement can be permanent, particularly with third and fourth-degree burns, and often require multiple rounds of reconstructive surgery over several years.


Many burn survivors develop chronic pain from nerve damage, along with reduced range of motion when scar tissue forms over joints. Contracture scarring can limit how far you can bend an elbow, knee, or hand.


The psychological toll is just as real. PTSD, anxiety, and depression are common after a traumatic burn, especially when the injury changes someone's appearance or ability to work. These are legitimate elements of a personal injury claim, not side notes to it.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Burn Injury Case


Liability depends on how and where the burn happened. Common parties include:

  • Employers or subcontractors who failed to provide protective equipment, proper training, or a safe worksite.
  • Product manufacturers whose defective design, faulty wiring, or missing warnings led to the injury.
  • Property owners or landlords who ignored fire code violations, faulty electrical systems, or broken smoke detectors.
  • Drivers whose negligence caused a crash that resulted in a vehicle fire or road rash injury.
  • Chemical suppliers or handlers who mislabeled hazardous materials or failed to follow safe handling procedures.


In workplace burn cases, workers' compensation is usually the exclusive remedy against your employer, but a third party, like an equipment maker or an outside contractor, may still be separately liable.

Compensation Available in a Burn Injury Claim


Massachusetts law allows burn injury victims to pursue compensation covering both economic and non-economic losses, including:

  • Medical costs, including emergency treatment, burn unit stays, and follow-up care
  • Reconstructive surgery and skin graft procedures
  • Physical therapy and rehabilitation
  • Lost wages and diminished future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering, including chronic pain from nerve damage
  • Emotional distress and PTSD related to the trauma
  • Disfigurement and permanent scarring


Massachusetts follows a 51% modified comparative negligence rule: you can still recover compensation as long as you're found less than 51% at fault for the accident, with your award reduced by your share of fault.

Related Injury Claims


Burn injuries often overlap with other types of accidents we handle. If your case involved a motor vehicle, an unsafe property, or another type of injury, these pages cover the specifics:

Get Trusted Legal Help After a Serious Burn Injury


A serious burn injury can leave you facing months or even years of medical treatment, rehabilitation, and emotional recovery. When those injuries were caused by someone else's negligence, you deserve experienced legal representation that will fight for the full compensation you need to move forward. From investigating the cause of the accident to negotiating with insurance companies and preparing your case for trial if necessary, Attorney Jason Ranallo is committed to protecting your rights every step of the way.


Since 2002, Attorney Jason Ranallo has represented injury victims across Massachusetts with compassionate, personalized legal guidance and aggressive advocacy. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury because of a negligent driver, property owner, manufacturer, or another responsible party, contact the Law Offices of Jason M. Ranallo, P.C. today for a free consultation. There are no upfront legal fees, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Call (781) 344-6200 to discuss your case today.

I first met with Jay a few months ago seeking advice following a false auto insurance claim filed against my daughter. Even though he typically does not deal with such cases, he took a special interest and has been such an immense help these past few months. He is incredibly knowledgeable, compassionate, and goes about his work with an unmatched tenacity. It is clear that he is passionate about his work, he remembers the little details and would often follow up on things we chatted about, even if unrelated to our case. Such an attorney is hard to come by! We just won our case and it would not have been possible without his help. Highly recommend!

Shally Joseph

Jason Ranallo Personal Injury Lawyer in Norwood
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JASON M. RANALLO P.C.

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FAQs About Burn Injury Lawyers

  • How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in Massachusetts?

    In most cases, Massachusetts gives you three years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim. Workplace burns are different: those typically go through the workers' compensation system first, with separate deadlines and rules for third-party claims.

  • Can I sue my employer for a workplace burn injury?

    Usually not directly. Massachusetts workers' compensation is the exclusive remedy against your employer in most cases. But if a third party, such as an equipment manufacturer, a subcontractor, or a property owner, contributed to the accident, you may be able to bring a separate injury claim against them in addition to your workers' comp benefits.

  • What is my burn injury case worth?

    It depends on the severity and location of the burn, the number of surgeries you need, whether you're left with permanent scarring or disfigurement, and how the injury affects your ability to work. Cases involving skin grafts, amputation, or visible scarring on the face or hands generally carry higher value than a first-degree burn that heals without lasting effects.

  • Who can be held liable for a chemical burn injury?

    Depending on how the exposure happened, liability can fall on an employer that failed to provide protective equipment or proper training, a product manufacturer that sold a defective or mislabeled chemical, a contractor who mishandled hazardous materials, or a property owner who failed to maintain safe conditions.

  • Do I still have a case if I was partly at fault for the accident?

    Possibly. Massachusetts follows a 51% modified comparative negligence rule, meaning you can still recover damages as long as you're found less than 51% at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but a partial share of the blame doesn't automatically bar your claim.

  • How much does it cost to hire a burn injury lawyer?

    Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is free.

  • What should I do after a serious burn accident?

    Get medical treatment first. Once you're stable, keep records of every doctor visit, procedure, and medication, photograph the injury as it heals, and hold onto any damaged clothing or equipment involved in the accident. Avoid giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster before speaking with a lawyer.