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Oklahoma Burn Injury Lawyer

Table of Contents

A burn injury can change your life in seconds. These injuries are often painful, require emergency medical care, and can lead to lasting scars or disability. Victims may face high medical bills, long recoveries, and emotional trauma. Whether caused by a car accident, electrical burns, or someone’s negligence, burn injuries can leave lasting effects on your body and your daily life.

Smith Barkett Law Group understands the serious impact of burn injuries on victims and their families. Our Oklahoma City burn injury lawyers help injured clients recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

We work with medical professionals and investigators to build strong personal injury claims against negligent parties. If you or a loved one suffered severe burns, our law firm is here to guide you every step of the way.

Understanding a Burn Injury?

A burn injury occurs when heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation damages the skin and underlying tissues. Burn injuries range from mild sunburns to third-degree burns that destroy multiple skin layers and cause nerve damage.

Serious burn injuries often require hospitalization, surgery, and long-term rehabilitation. Many burn victims also experience smoke inhalation, scarring, and significant pain that disrupts daily life. Immediate medical attention is essential to prevent infection and further damage.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Oklahoma City

  • Car Accidents: Fuel leaks and vehicle fires after collisions can cause thermal burns.
  • Electrical Burns: Result from contact with an electrical current, often in construction or workplace settings.
  • Chemical Burns: Caused by exposure to strong acids or cleaning products.
  • Open Flames: Fires from stoves, candles, or explosions are common in homes and apartments.
  • Scalding Injuries: Hot liquids or steam from industrial equipment or restaurant kitchens.
  • Radiation Burns: Exposure to radiation in medical or industrial environments.

Types and Degrees of Burn Injuries

  • First-degree burns: Affect only the outer layer of skin and cause redness or mild sunburn.
  • Second-degree burns: Damage deeper layers of skin, cause blisters, and may require medical treatment.
  • Third-degree burns: Penetrate all skin layers, cause tissue loss, and may result in permanent disability or nerve damage.

Long-Term Effects of Severe Burns

Severe burn injuries often lead to chronic pain, limited mobility, and emotional distress. Burn survivors may require physical therapy, skin grafts, or reconstructive surgery.

In some cases, victims suffer permanent disability that prevents them from returning to work or living a normal life. These injuries can also impact confidence, relationships, and emotional well-being.

Legal Rights for Burn Injury Victims in Oklahoma

Under Oklahoma Statutes Title 23 (Damages), burn injury victims have the right to pursue compensation if someone else’s negligence caused the injury. Victims can recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering through a personal injury lawsuit.

A skilled Oklahoma City burn injury lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your losses.

Oklahoma’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law

Under 23 O.S. § 13, Oklahoma uses a modified comparative negligence rule. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as your fault is less than 50%. Your total compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault you bear.

Statute of Limitations for Burn Injury Claims

Under 12 O.S. § 95(A)(3), you generally have two years from the date the injury occurred to file a burn injury claim or personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline may prevent you from recovering compensation, so it’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Duty of Care and Negligence in Burn Injury Cases

Property owners, drivers, and employers have a duty to prevent harm to others. If someone fails to act responsibly, such as a careless driver or negligent landlord, and you suffer burns, they can be held liable for the resulting damages.

Product Liability and Burn Injuries

Under the Oklahoma Product Liability Law (76 O.S. §57.1 et seq.), manufacturers can be held responsible for defective or flammable products that cause burns. This includes faulty electronics, unsafe chemicals, or defective car parts. Victims can seek compensation through a product liability claim.

Common Scenarios Leading to Burn Injury Claims in Oklahoma City

Burn injuries happen in many everyday situations. Whether the injury occurred at home, at work, or in a car accident, victims have the right to hold the at-fault party responsible and recover compensation for their losses.

Motor Vehicle Fires After Collisions

Car accidents can cause thermal burns when fuel or oil ignites after a crash. In these cases, victims can hold the at-fault party accountable for their injuries.

Workplace and Industrial Burns

Workers in factories or construction sites are often exposed to dangerous chemicals, machinery, and electrical systems. Under the Oklahoma Workers’ Compensation Act (85A O.S. § 1 et seq.), employees can recover medical benefits and lost wages for workplace burns.

Apartment or Building Fires

Landlords must follow fire safety rules under the Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (41 O.S. §118). If unsafe wiring, lack of smoke alarms, or fire code violations caused a fire, injured tenants may file a burn injury claim for compensation.

Electrical and Chemical Accidents

Electrical burns and chemical burns can cause deep tissue damage and long-term health issues. These accidents often occur in workplaces where safety protocols are ignored or equipment is defective.

Restaurant, Hotel, or Business Fires

Public businesses must follow fire safety standards. When fires occur due to poor maintenance, broken appliances, or blocked exits, the business owner may be held liable for the resulting damages.

Compensation Available for Burn Injury Victims

Burn injury victims often face major financial losses. Under Oklahoma law, you may recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses, depending on the severity of your injury and its impact on your life.

Medical Expenses and Future Treatment Costs

Burn injury victims often face overwhelming medical expenses that include emergency medical care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing physical therapy.

Treatment for severe burns may also involve skin grafts, reconstructive procedures, and rehabilitation to restore movement and strength. Compensation can also cover future treatment costs, including long-term therapy or follow-up appointments with medical professionals.

Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity

A serious burn injury can make it impossible to return to work for weeks or even months. Some burn victims are unable to resume their previous jobs due to permanent disability or lasting pain. Compensation for lost wages covers the income you missed while recovering, while loss of earning capacity accounts for your reduced ability to work in the future.

Pain and Suffering

Under Title 23 O.S. § 61.2, Oklahoma law allows victims to recover damages for pain and suffering caused by their injuries. This includes both physical pain and emotional trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress.

Burn injury victims often live with ongoing pain, sleep problems, and emotional distress caused by the severity of their injuries. A skilled Oklahoma City burn injury lawyer will present clear evidence to show how your severe burns have affected your emotional and physical health, helping you pursue fair compensation for these life-changing effects.

Disfigurement and Disability Compensation

Severe burns can lead to scarring, disfigurement, and permanent disability that may alter your appearance or ability to perform daily activities. Victims who suffer visible scars or physical limitations have the right to seek additional compensation for these long-term effects.

This type of damage recognizes not only the physical impact but also the emotional pain caused by visible or life-altering injuries. Your burn injury attorney will make sure these damages are included in your claim to help restore your quality of life.

Punitive Damages for Gross Negligence

Under Title 23 O.S. § 9.1, Oklahoma law allows for punitive damages in cases where the at-fault party’s conduct was especially reckless or intentional. This means the responsible person or company acted with gross negligence, such as ignoring fire hazards, failing to fix dangerous electrical systems, or knowingly using defective products.

Workers’ Compensation for Burn Injuries in Oklahoma

Workers who suffer burn injuries on the job are protected under Oklahoma’s Workers’ Compensation Act. This system provides medical care, wage replacement, and rehabilitation services to help injured employees recover.

What Workers’ Comp Covers

Workers’ compensation covers medical expenses, lost wages, and disability benefits. It can also provide physical therapy or retraining for employees who cannot return to their previous job. These benefits are designed to help injured workers recover without worrying about paying for treatment or losing income.

Reporting and Filing a Claim

Under Oklahoma Administrative Code § 810:10-5-5, workers must report a workplace burn injury to their employer as soon as possible. Failing to report within 30 days may delay or deny benefits. It’s important to keep written records of your report and follow up with your employer or the insurance company to confirm that your claim is properly filed.

Denied or Underpaid Claims

If your burn injury claim is denied or underpaid, an Oklahoma City burn injury lawyer can help you appeal the decision and fight for full benefits. Your attorney will review all documents, gather medical evidence, and challenge unfair decisions made by the insurance company to ensure you receive fair treatment.

Third-Party Liability Claims

If someone other than your employer, such as a subcontractor or equipment manufacturer, caused your injury, you may be able to file a third-party claim for additional compensation. These claims allow you to seek damages beyond workers’ compensation, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and long-term disability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes. If a loved one passed away due to severe burns caused by another party’s negligence, their family may file a wrongful death claim. This can help cover funeral costs, medical expenses, and loss of support. An Oklahoma burn injury attorney can guide families through this process.

Your medical records document the extent of your injuries, your treatment history, and your prognosis. They help prove how the burned area was affected and support your right to obtain compensation for your pain and losses.

It’s best to avoid speaking with insurance adjusters alone. Big insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. Always let your lawyer handle communication to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Try to reschedule as soon as possible. Doctor’s appointments help document your healing process, and missing them may affect your personal injury claim. Your attorney can help explain any missed visits if you had valid reasons.

Our Oklahoma City burn injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. This approach helps injured victims focus on recovery while we pursue compensation for property damage, medical bills, and other losses caused by others’ negligence.

Contact Our Experienced Oklahoma City Burn Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love has suffered burn injuries, Smith Barkett Law Group is ready to help. Our legal team has years of experience handling complex personal injury cases and fighting for victims who deserve justice. We understand how devastating burn injuries can be, both physically and emotionally, and we are committed to helping you rebuild your life.

Our attorneys work hard to recover maximum compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You can trust our team to deal with the insurance companies while you focus on healing.

Contact us today for a free consultation and let our compassionate lawyers help you take the next step toward recovery.


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Author: Rusty Smith
Founding Attorney
Smith Barkett Personal Injury Lawyers
Published date: Nov 22, 2025

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