Burns can come from heat, chemicals, electricity or friction, and deep burns often need surgery and leave lasting scars. This page explains how burn injury claims are assessed in Ireland and the evidence they need.
A burn injury claim is a claim for burns caused by someone else's negligence. Thermal burns come from flames, hot surfaces, steam and scalding liquids, for example in a commercial kitchen or a vehicle fire after a crash.
Chemical burns follow contact with acids, alkalis or industrial cleaning products, often where protective equipment or training was missing. Electrical burns can be deeper than they look, because the current damages tissue along its path. Friction burns are common in motorbike and cycling collisions.
Burns can also happen during medical care, for example from surgical equipment or a heat treatment applied wrongly.
Doctors describe burns by depth, from superficial to full thickness, and by the percentage of the body surface affected. The main medical report usually comes from a consultant plastic surgeon, covering skin grafts, scar release surgery, pressure garments and future revisions.
A dermatologist may report on skin sensitivity and itching, and a clinical psychologist on how the scarring affects confidence and daily life. Photographs taken at each stage of healing are useful evidence.
Road, work and public place burn claims go to the Injuries Resolution Board first; read how the Injuries Resolution Board works. Burns from medical treatment go through the courts.
Contact us through our enquiry form, phone, or email. We’ll review your situation, answer your questions, and explain what to expect next. There’s no upfront fee to begin your claim.
Your case will be carefully reviewed by our legal team.
We assess the strength of your claim, advise on the documentation needed, and guide you through key steps such as attending an independent medical examination and preparing the information required for the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB).
Once you decide to move forward, we take care of everything. This includes gathering evidence, contacting the other party or their insurer, submitting your claim to the IRB, managing settlement discussions, and handling any court proceedings if needed.
Paul Kearney founded the practice and leads its personal injury work in Ireland. He is regulated by the Law Society of Ireland. Read Paul's profile.
We prepare your application to the Injuries Resolution Board, including the medical evidence, and advise you on any assessment before you decide whether to accept it.
You can meet us at any of our four offices, or deal with us by phone, email or video, wherever you live in Ireland.
There are no upfront fees. Before you go ahead, we set out in writing how legal costs work, as section 150 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 requires. No Win No Fee explained.
Burns are assessed alongside scarring, but the Guidelines expect a burn scar to attract a higher award than a scar of equal significance caused another way, because burns tend to cause more pain and lasting physical and psychological effects.
The factors include the percentage of the body affected, the depth of the burns, the treatment needed and the effect on work and daily life.
Burn scars keep changing for a year or more as they mature, and some need further surgery or laser treatment.
The plastic surgeon can only give a final view on the scarring, and on future operations, once that has happened. Valuing the claim earlier risks leaving out treatment that turns out to be needed.
Yes, where the employer failed to assess the risk, train staff, or provide and maintain suitable protective equipment.
Personal protective equipment is covered by Chapter 3 of Part 2 of the General Application Regulations 2007, and the employer's general duties come from the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. See accidents at work.
The claim works in the same way, but the medical evidence is often wider.
Electrical burns can be deeper than the entry and exit marks suggest and can affect nerves and muscles, so reports from a neurologist may be needed as well as a plastic surgeon.
At work, Part 3 of the General Application Regulations 2007 sets the rules on electrical safety.
Yes, through a parent or guardian acting as next friend. The court must approve any settlement, and the money is usually lodged in court until the child turns 18.
A child's scars change as they grow, so the plastic surgeon may need to review them over several years before the claim is valued.
Yes. The claim is made against the driver at fault and their insurer, as with other road injuries, and the burns are assessed alongside any other injuries from the collision. See car accident claims.
Two years from the date of the burn, or from the date of knowledge if later, under the Statute of Limitations (Amendment) Act 1991. Time stops while the claim is with the Injuries Resolution Board.
For a child, the two years start on their 18th birthday, but evidence such as photographs and witness details is easier to gather early.
No. There are no upfront fees. Before you go ahead, we give you clear written terms explaining how legal costs work, as section 150 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 requires. Read No Win No Fee explained.
Regulated by the Law Society of Ireland
Kearney Law handles only personal injury and clinical negligence claims.
We act for clients across Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Letterkenny. See all the areas we cover.
Contact us to talk to a solicitor about your claim, or request a case review.
Email: [email protected]
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Monday to Thursday 8am – 8pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
