Severe burns are among the most painful and disabling injuries a person can suffer. In Iowa they result from vehicle fires, industrial and grain-bin accidents, electrical incidents, scalding, and defective products — and they require specialized, long-term care.
Types and Severity of Burns
Burns are classified by degree, from first-degree surface burns to fourth-degree burns that reach muscle and bone. Serious burns can require skin grafts, multiple surgeries, intensive infection control, and years of rehabilitation. Many leave permanent scarring and disfigurement.
Beyond the physical toll, burn survivors often face significant emotional and psychological trauma.
Causes and Liability
Burn injuries in Iowa arise from car and truck fires, workplace and agricultural accidents, electrical hazards, defective products and appliances, building fires due to code violations, and chemical exposure. Depending on the cause, responsible parties may include negligent drivers, employers' equipment manufacturers, property owners, or product makers.
Identifying every responsible party and insurance source is essential given the enormous cost of burn care.
Compensation for Burn Victims
Compensation may include emergency and reconstructive surgery, long-term wound and scar care, rehabilitation, lost income and earning capacity, and substantial pain and suffering and disfigurement damages.
Call 973-566-5599 for a free, confidential review of your Iowa burn injury claim.
Injured in Iowa? Get a free, confidential case review today. There's no obligation, and you pay no fee unless you win. Call 973-566-5599.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nothing upfront. The attorneys in our network work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fee unless they recover compensation for you. Your case review is always free and completely confidential.
Iowa's statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of injury under Iowa Code § 614.1(2). Claims against a city, county, or the state are governed by separate notice rules and shorter deadlines, so it is important to act quickly before evidence disappears.
Iowa uses a modified comparative fault rule under Iowa Code § 668.3. You can still recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, though your award is reduced by your own percentage of fault. Many people who assume they have no case are surprised to learn they can still recover.
Beyond medical and surgical costs, Iowa law allows recovery for permanent scarring and disfigurement, as well as the physical pain and emotional distress that accompany serious burns. These non-economic damages can be substantial in severe cases.
This page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For guidance on your specific situation, consult a licensed Iowa attorney.