Major burn cases do not simply hurt; they disrupt life. In the early stages, it may focus on wound care, appointments, pain management, and assessing the recovery process. Then follow the more protracted questions: How long will I be out of work? Will I need surgery? How do I pay for treatment? What if the scarring limits what I can do?
Among the earliest questions we are normally posed is quite basic, and quite comprehensible: How did this occur, and who is to blame? The response varies with the cause, but most severe burn cases can be avoided and can also be traced to negligence, unsafe environments, and flawed products.
Common Causes of Severe Burn Injuries
1) Motor vehicle collisions and post-crash fires
Burn injuries can happen when a collision leads to a vehicle fire, explosion, or intense heat exposure. A person may also suffer burns while trying to escape a vehicle or while assisting others. These cases often involve more than just the “crash” itself; questions arise about fuel system integrity, electrical faults, and whether safety features performed properly.
Who may be responsible:
- A negligent driver (speeding, distraction, impairment, improper turns)
- A trucking company or commercial operator (training, scheduling pressure, maintenance)
- A vehicle or parts manufacturer (defective fuel system, battery, wiring, or safety component)
- A repair shop or maintenance provider (negligent repair or missed safety issues)
2) Workplace incidents (thermal, chemical, and electrical)
Workplaces, particularly construction sites, factories, kitchens and industrial environments can be associated with open flames, hot surfaces, pressurized steam, corrosive chemicals and high voltages. Extreme burns can take place in a few seconds and continue to deteriorate in cases where safety regulations, protective measures, and first aid are not followed.
Who may be responsible:
- In some cases, a third party, such as a subcontractor, equipment supplier, or property owner
- A manufacturer of defective tools, machinery, or safety equipment
- A company responsible for site safety or hazardous materials handling
(Workplace injuries can involve different legal pathways than other injury claims, and the right approach depends on the facts.)
3) Electrical burns (including hidden internal damage)
Electrical burns aren’t always obvious at first. We’ve seen cases where the skin injury looks relatively small, but the internal tissue damage is extensive, leading to serious complications. Common scenarios include contact with exposed wiring, unsafe panels, improperly grounded systems, or overhead power lines.
Who may be responsible:
- Property owners/landlords who failed to maintain safe wiring
- Contractors/electricians who performed negligent installations or repairs
- Businesses that created hazards in public or work areas
4) Chemical burns and hazardous exposures
Chemical burns may occur at work, in industrial buildings, in garages, and even at home. Poor labelling, storage, ventilation, training or protection equipment may turn routine activities into medical emergencies. Delays in decontamination or the inability to use emergency wash/shower stations also exacerbate the damage in certain instances.
Who may be responsible:
- Employers or site operators who didn’t provide proper safety measures
- Manufacturers/suppliers, if warnings, instructions, or packaging were inadequate
- Property managers, if hazardous substances were improperly stored or left accessible
5) Fires in residential or commercial properties
Apartment fires, house fires, kitchen fires, and building-related incidents are devastating sources of severe burns. These cases often involve a bigger question than “how did the fire start?”They concern whether the building was reasonably safe, including functioning smoke alarms, fire doors, code-compliant exits, safe wiring, and proper maintenance.
Who may be responsible:
- Landlords/property owners or managers (maintenance, inspections, code compliance)
- Businesses (unsafe equipment, poor fire safety practices)
- Contractors (negligent renovations, electrical work, or gas line work)
- Manufacturers (defective appliances, batteries, chargers, or other products)
How Legal Responsibility is Determined
According to Ontario personal injury law, a significant number of burn injury cases involve negligence, whether someone failed to take reasonable care, and whether that failure contributed to the injury. There is not always a single party to blame. We often probe deeper to discover that various malfunctions were conspiring: a hazard was created, warning signals were absent, maintenance was neglected, and the outcome was devastating.
A proper burn-injury investigation may involve:
- Fire and electrical experts
- Safety and engineering analysis
- Maintenance, inspection, and incident records
- Product testing and recall research (when relevant)
- Medical evidence describing current and future care needs
The earlier the evidence is preserved, the stronger the case tends to be.
FAQs
1) What is the type of compensation that exists for severe burn injuries?
Compensation can cover medical and rehabilitation expenses, loss of income, decreased earning potential in the future, out-of-pocket expenses, non-economic damages of pain and suffering and reduced quality of life depending on the circumstances. Long-term care may also be necessary in case of severe burns.
2) What if I were burned at work? Do I still have legal options?
Sometimes. Workplace injuries can be managed under workers’ compensation programs; however, in some instances, a third party (e.g., a careless contractor or a manufacturer of faulty equipment) may be held liable. The correct course of action depends on who created the risk.
3) How long do I have to start a claim in Ontario?
The two-year limitation period, in most cases, begins on the date of injury or from when you reasonably knew you had a claim. Delays can complicate evidence gathering, although not always; it is always prudent to consult lawyers at the first opportunity.
4) If a product leads to a burn, does this mean that the manufacturer is automatically liable?
Not necessarily, but they can be held responsible should the product have been defectively designed, manufactured incorrectly, or not have possessed the necessary warnings and instructions. These situations usually involve technical evidence and a close chain of custody of the product.
5) Do I need a lawyer, or can I deal with the insurer myself?
With severe burns, the stakes are high: future care costs, long-term disability, and complex liability questions. The insurance procedures may be hostile and strenuous. Having experienced counsel helps ensure your injuries are properly documented, and your long-term needs are not undervalued.
Conclusion: Support That’s Practical, Experienced, and Personal
We know that after a severe burn, people aren’t just looking for a legal file to be opened; they’re looking for a path forward. The best outcomes usually come from early action: preserving evidence, identifying every potentially responsible party, and building a clear picture of how the injury will affect your life now and in the future.
At MacIsaac Gow LLP, we serve people throughout Ontario in cases of serious injury and disability, including catastrophic burn injuries. We handle it simply: we listen and empathize with what you are going through, we research, and seek compensation suitable for the actual manifestation of the injury to your body in real life, not merely the hospital bill at first admission.
If you’re unsure whether someone else may be legally responsible, a conversation can help make your decisions clearer.
Key to Your Legal Success