Burns and Scalds Claims — No Win, No Fee
Last reviewed: September 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Burns and scalds can cause significant pain, permanent scarring and lasting psychological effects. If you were burned or scalded because of someone else's negligence — at work, in a restaurant or public place, or through a faulty product — EA Personal Injury Solicitors can help you claim compensation on a no win, no fee basis.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- Covers workplace, hospitality, public place and defective product burn injuries
- Compensation reflects permanent scarring and psychological impact, not just the initial injury
- Employers must take reasonable steps to protect staff from foreseeable burn hazards
- Three-year time limit from the date of the accident in most cases
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
Common Causes of Burns and Scalds Injuries
- Hot food and drink scalds — spilled or overly hot drinks served in restaurants, cafes and hotels, or unstable containers and trays
- Workplace thermal burns — contact with hot surfaces, steam, open flames or molten materials in kitchens, factories and industrial settings
- Chemical burns — exposure to corrosive substances that were not properly stored, labelled, contained or handled with appropriate protective equipment
- Electrical burns — contact with faulty wiring, defective equipment or inadequately isolated electrical systems
- Defective products — appliances, cosmetic or cleaning products that cause burns due to a manufacturing or design defect
- Public place accidents — burns from poorly maintained heating, cooking or catering equipment in shops, venues and public spaces
Who Can Be Liable?
Liability depends on where and how the burn occurred. Employers must take reasonable steps to protect staff from foreseeable burn hazards through training, protective equipment and safe systems of work. Occupiers of premises — restaurants, hotels, shops and other venues — owe visitors a duty under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 to take reasonable care for their safety. Where a defective product caused the injury, the manufacturer or supplier may be liable under the Consumer Protection Act 1987, in addition to or instead of the party who served or supplied it.
The Impact of Burns Injuries
Burns can range from minor, fully-recovering injuries to severe, disfiguring injuries requiring skin grafts and ongoing treatment. Even relatively minor burns can leave permanent scarring, and the psychological impact of visible scarring — particularly to the face, hands or other exposed areas — is a recognised and compensatable element of these claims, separate from the physical pain and treatment itself.
Evidence in Burns and Scalds Claims
- Photographs of the injury at different stages of healing
- Medical records, including any hospital burns unit treatment or plastic surgery
- The accident report (workplace accident book, or an incident report from the venue)
- Photographs of the cause — the equipment, spillage, product or hazard involved
- Witness statements from those present
- Product packaging, instructions or purchase evidence, where a defective product was involved
What Compensation Can Cover
Compensation covers general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity — including permanent scarring and its psychological impact — together with special damages for medical and scar treatment costs (including private treatment where appropriate), lost earnings, and any ongoing care needs.
Typical Compensation Amounts
The figures below are indicative brackets for the injury itself (general damages), based on the Judicial College Guidelines used by courts and insurers in England and Wales. Financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs and care (special damages) are claimed in addition, and in serious cases often exceed the injury award.
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Burns to a limited area of the body, with some permanent scarring | c. £9,000–£33,000 |
| Significant or extensive burns with permanent, disfiguring scarring | c. £46,000–£120,000+ |
These brackets are a guide only — the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, your prognosis and your financial losses. We cannot promise or predict a specific outcome. See our full guide to compensation amounts or contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
No Win, No Fee Burns and Scalds Claims
We act under a Conditional Fee Agreement. If the claim fails, you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.