Burn injuries are among the most severe and traumatic injuries a person can experience. As a result, victims often face catastrophic physical, emotional, and financial consequences that can last a lifetime. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, a defective product, or unsafe conditions, you need experienced legal representation to fight for the compensation you deserve.
The Bruner Law Firm represents burn injury victims exclusively on a contingency basis. We have spent over 30 years helping injured Floridians recover maximum compensation for their losses. Our team of dedicated burn injury attorneys in Fort Walton Beach understands the complexity of burn injury cases and the devastating impact these injuries have on victims and their families.
We serve Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Niceville, Santa Rosa Beach, and throughout the Florida Panhandle. Our attorneys are available 24/7 for emergency consultations, and we never charge upfront fees. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Why You Need a Burn Injury Attorney
Burn injuries result in some of the most significant damages in personal injury law. Medical bills for burn treatment can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. Victims often require multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and years of rehabilitation. Beyond medical expenses, burn victims face lost wages, permanent scarring, disfigurement, and severe emotional trauma.
Insurance companies understand the value of burn injury claims, which is why they aggressively defend these cases and attempt to minimize settlements. Without experienced legal representation, burn victims often accept settlements far below what their injuries warrant.
Burn injury cases involve complex liability questions. A burn may result from a workplace accident, a defective product, inadequate safety measures at a business, a motor vehicle accident, or medical negligence. Determining who bears legal responsibility requires thorough investigation and expert analysis.
Additionally, Florida’s statute of limitations requires you to file a lawsuit within four years of your injury. Waiting too long can result in the loss of your legal rights. Immediate action protects your claim and preserves critical evidence.
Types of Burn Injuries We Handle
Our attorneys represent victims of all types of burn injuries:
- Thermal Burns: Burns caused by fire, hot liquids, steam, or contact with hot surfaces
- Chemical Burns: Burns from exposure to corrosive chemicals in workplace or product-related incidents
- Electrical Burns: Burns from faulty wiring, defective electrical equipment, or contact with live electrical sources
- Radiation Burns: Burns from medical equipment, industrial radiation exposure, or other radiation sources
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries occur through various circumstances, and we investigate each case thoroughly to identify all responsible parties:
- Workplace accidents involving flammable materials or equipment failures
- Defective products that ignite, overheat, or malfunction
- Premises liability cases where businesses fail to maintain safe conditions or provide adequate warnings
- Motor vehicle accidents involving fuel leaks or fires
- Medical negligence during surgical procedures or treatment
Burn Injury Damages You May Recover
Florida law allows burn injury victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Understanding the full scope of recoverable damages helps ensure you pursue fair compensation.
Economic Damages include all quantifiable financial losses:
- Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
- Surgical procedures and skin grafts
- Ongoing medical care and rehabilitation
- Prescription medications and medical equipment
- Lost wages during recovery and ongoing lost earning capacity
- Home care assistance and modifications
- Future medical expenses for long-term treatment
Non-Economic Damages compensate for subjective losses:
- Pain and suffering during treatment and recovery
- Emotional distress and psychological trauma
- Scarring and permanent disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (impact on family relationships)
Punitive Damages may be available when the defendant’s conduct was grossly negligent or intentional. These damages punish wrongdoing and deter similar conduct in the future.
Severe burn injuries often require lifetime care. Our attorneys work with medical and vocational experts to calculate the full cost of your future needs and ensure your settlement reflects the true value of your claim.
Calculating Your Burn Injury Claim Value
Several factors determine the value of your burn injury settlement:
- Degree of Burn Severity: First-degree burns (surface level) are less severe than second-degree (blistering), third-degree (full thickness), or fourth-degree (bone involvement) burns
- Percentage of Body Affected: Burns covering larger body surface areas result in higher damages
- Location of Burns: Burns on the face, hands, or other visible areas often result in higher non-economic damages due to disfigurement
- Long-Term Medical Needs: Ongoing treatment, surgeries, and rehabilitation increase claim value
- Impact on Earning Capacity: If the burn prevents you from working or limits your career options, damages increase significantly
- Quality of Life Changes: Permanent scarring, reduced mobility, or chronic pain affect claim value
Read more: Catastrophic Injury Compensation: Who’s Liable and What You Can Claim
Our Burn Injury Case Process
We handle every burn injury case with the attention and expertise it deserves. Our process includes:
Initial Consultation and Case Evaluation: We meet with you to understand your injury, how it occurred, and its impact on your life. We evaluate the strength of your claim and discuss your legal options. This consultation is free and confidential.
Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Our team conducts a thorough investigation. We obtain medical records, accident reports, photographs, and witness statements. We preserve evidence such as defective products or equipment involved in your injury.
Expert Coordination: We work with medical experts to document your injuries and treatment needs. We coordinate with vocational experts to calculate lost earning capacity and with economic experts to quantify damages.
Negotiation with Insurance Companies: We present a comprehensive demand to the insurance company backed by evidence and expert analysis. We negotiate aggressively to achieve a fair settlement.
Trial Preparation: If settlement negotiations fail, we prepare your case for trial. Our experienced trial attorneys are ready to present your case before a jury.
Contingency Fee Structure: You pay nothing upfront. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you, typically 33-40% of the settlement or verdict amount.
What to Do After a Burn Injury
Immediate actions after a burn injury protect your health and your legal claim:
- Seek Medical Attention First: Burn injuries require immediate professional medical care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
- Document the Incident: Take photographs of the accident scene, the source of the burn, and your injuries as they develop.
- Gather Witness Information: Collect names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the incident.
- Preserve Evidence: Keep any defective products, packaging, or equipment involved in your injury.
- Avoid Speaking with Insurance Adjusters: Do not give recorded statements or sign documents without consulting an attorney first.
- Contact The Bruner Law Firm: Call us immediately at (850) 243-2222 for a free consultation. We are available 24/7 for emergencies.
Fort Walton Beach Burn Injury Settlements & Verdicts
The Bruner Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients across all practice areas. Our case results demonstrate our ability to maximize compensation for serious injuries.
While we cannot disclose specific client names due to confidentiality agreements, our burn injury case results show the value we deliver. Burn injury settlements and verdicts vary based on injury severity, liability strength, and other factors. Our experience positions us to pursue the maximum compensation available in your case. Read our testimonials to see how we’ve helped others recover after serious injuries.
We understand that every burn injury case is unique. We evaluate each case individually and develop a strategy tailored to your specific circumstances and needs.
Why Choose The Bruner Law Firm
Exclusive Plaintiff Representation: We represent injured people exclusively. We never represent insurance companies, defendants, or businesses. This exclusive focus means our entire practice is dedicated to fighting for injury victims.
Multi-Generational Family Firm: The Bruner Law Firm was founded in 1992 by Vincent Michael Bruner, a former Florida State Senator and former Fort Walton Beach City Attorney. Today, the firm includes Drew Bruner, Vince Bruner Jr., Peggy Bruner, and Joe Lancos. Our family continuity ensures consistent quality and commitment to our clients.
Deep Community Roots: Our founding partner served in the Florida State Senate and as Fort Walton Beach City Attorney, demonstrating our deep commitment to the Fort Walton Beach community. We have maintained offices in Fort Walton Beach since 1992.
Multiple Office Locations: We serve clients from four convenient locations: Fort Walton Beach (our main office), Panama City, Niceville, and Santa Rosa Beach. This geographic reach allows us to serve the entire Florida Panhandle.
Board-Certified and Award-Recognized Attorneys: Our attorneys hold prestigious professional recognitions, including Super Lawyer status, AV-Preeminent ratings, and Fellowship in the American Bar Foundation. These credentials reflect our peers’ recognition of our legal skill and ethical standards.
24/7 Availability: We understand that injuries don’t happen during business hours. Our attorneys are available around the clock for emergency consultations and urgent matters.
Personalized Attention: We limit our caseload to ensure each client receives personalized attention. You work directly with experienced attorneys, not paralegals or case managers.
Our Attorneys’ Credentials
Vincent Michael Bruner (Founding Partner): With over 40 years of legal experience, Vince Bruner founded The Bruner Law Firm in 1992 after serving in the Florida State Senate (1988-1992), where he chaired the Senate Committee on Corrections. He served as Fort Walton Beach City Attorney and Valparaiso City Attorney. Vince is admitted to practice in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and the District of Columbia.
Drew Gordy Bruner (Attorney): Drew brings 13 years of personal injury experience to the firm. He is recognized as a Super Lawyer by Thomson Reuters and holds an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for legal ability and ethical standards. Drew is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation (top 1% of lawyers nationally) and is listed among America’s Top 100 Personal Injury Attorneys. He is admitted to practice in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, all federal courts in Florida, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Additional Attorneys: The firm includes Vincent Maxwell Bruner Jr., Peggy Bruner (former Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade, bilingual in Spanish), and Joe Lancos (former Managing Editor of the Florida Law Review with experience in complex commercial litigation).
Burn Injury FAQs
How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in Florida?
Florida’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally four years from the date of injury. However, this deadline is critical. Once it passes, you lose your legal right to recover compensation. Additionally, evidence becomes harder to preserve and witnesses’ memories fade over time. We recommend contacting our office immediately after a burn injury to protect your rights.
What if I were partially at fault for my burn injury?
Florida follows comparative negligence law. You may still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for your injury. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Our attorneys investigate thoroughly to minimize any finding of comparative fault and maximize your recovery.
How much does it cost to hire The Bruner Law Firm?
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or a verdict. Our fee is typically 33-40% of the amount recovered. This arrangement removes financial barriers to hiring experienced legal representation and aligns our interests with yours—we only succeed when you succeed.
What types of burn injuries qualify for legal action?
Any burn injury caused by someone else’s negligence, a defective product, or unsafe premises may qualify for legal action. This includes workplace burns, product-related burns, burns from accidents, and burns resulting from medical negligence. We evaluate each case individually to determine liability and the strength of your claim.
How long does a burn injury case take?
The timeline varies based on case complexity, injury severity, and whether a settlement is reached. Some cases settle within a few months after investigation and demand. Others may take one to two years or longer if litigation and trial become necessary. We keep you informed throughout the process and work efficiently to resolve your case.
Can I still file a claim if the burn happened years ago?
As long as you are within the four-year statute of limitations, you can file a claim. However, evidence preservation becomes more challenging as time passes. Photographs fade, witnesses move away, and memories become less reliable. If you suffered a burn injury years ago and have not yet pursued a claim, contact us immediately to discuss your options before the statute of limitations expires.
What should I do immediately after a burn injury?
First, seek medical attention. Burn injuries require professional medical care. Then, document everything: take photographs of your injuries, the accident scene, and any defective products involved. Collect names and contact information from witnesses. Preserve any evidence related to the incident. Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters without legal counsel. Finally, contact The Bruner Law Firm for a free consultation. We will guide you through the next steps.
Will my case go to trial?
Most personal injury cases settle before trial. However, we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. Our experienced trial attorneys ensure you are fully prepared if litigation becomes necessary. We will never pressure you to accept an inadequate settlement. If the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we are ready to take your case to trial and present it before a jury.
Contact Our Fort Walton Beach Burn Injury Lawyers Today
If you have suffered a burn injury in Fort Walton Beach or anywhere in the Florida Panhandle, contact The Bruner Law Firm today. We offer a free consultation to evaluate your case and discuss your legal options. Moreover, our attorneys are available 24/7 for emergency consultations.
We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll of burn injuries. We are committed to fighting for the compensation you deserve and helping you move forward with your life. Call us at (850) 243-2222 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation. We serve clients from our offices in Fort Walton Beach, Panama City, Niceville, and Santa Rosa Beach. No upfront fees. No obligation. We only succeed when you succeed.
