Burns are among the most painful injuries a person can survive, and among the slowest to heal. Serious burns can mean weeks in a burn unit, skin grafts, infections, and scars that change how someone looks and moves for life. In Queens, we see burns from apartment fires, exploding e-bike batteries, gas leaks, car crashes and job sites. This guide from Queens burn injury lawyer Yakov Mushiyev explains who can be held responsible, what a burn claim is worth, and the steps to take now.
Types of burn injuries
Doctors classify burns by how deeply they damage the skin, from first-degree burns that affect only the outer layer to deeper second- and third-degree burns that can destroy skin and underlying tissue. MedlinePlus has a plain-language overview. In legal terms, the type of burn matters less than the harm it causes:
- Thermal burns from fire, flames, hot surfaces and steam
- Scald burns from hot liquids, including food service and faulty water heaters
- Chemical burns from cleaning products and industrial substances
- Electrical burns, which can be deeper than they look; see our pages on electrocution injuries and construction-site electrocution
How burn injuries happen in Queens, and who may be responsible
Apartment and house fires
When a fire spreads because of faulty wiring, blocked exits, missing smoke alarms or other unsafe conditions, the building owner or manager may be responsible under premises liability law; see our premises liability page.
E-bike and scooter battery fires
Lithium-ion battery fires have become a serious danger in New York City. The FDNY’s lithium-ion battery safety page explains the risks. Under NYC Local Law 39 of 2023, e-bikes and batteries sold, leased or rented in the city must meet UL safety standards. A defective battery, charger or bike can support a product liability claim against the manufacturer or seller. Keep the device, even if it’s destroyed, and let a Queens burn injury lawyer arrange for experts to examine it. For crash injuries, see our e-bike accident page.
Gas leaks and explosions
Explosions can involve a building owner, a contractor who worked on gas lines, or the company that installed or serviced equipment.
Car and truck crashes
Collisions can cause fires, fuel burns and airbag burns. The at-fault driver’s insurance and, in some cases, a vehicle manufacturer may be responsible; see our car accident page.
Workplace burns
Kitchen workers, electricians and construction crews face burn risks every day. Workers’ compensation generally covers on-the-job injuries, and a separate claim may exist against a contractor, property owner or equipment maker; see our work injury and construction accident pages.
What a burn injury claim can include
- Emergency care, burn unit stays and skin graft surgeries
- Future reconstructive and scar revision procedures
- Physical and occupational therapy, and compression garments
- Lost wages and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering, disfigurement and emotional distress
Burn recovery often stretches over years, so a settlement has to account for future care, not just today’s bills. Keep an injury diary with photos of the healing process.
Steps to take after a burn injury
- Get medical care first. Even burns that look minor can be deep or become infected.
- Photograph everything: the injury over time, the scene, damaged property and any device involved.
- Preserve the cause. Keep the battery, appliance, charger or product. Don’t throw it out or return it.
- Get the reports. FDNY, police, building management or workplace incident reports.
- Collect witness names and contact information.
- Watch the deadlines. Most injury cases must be filed within three years under CPLR § 214, but claims against the city or other public bodies generally require a notice of claim within 90 days under General Municipal Law § 50-e.
Why hire a burn injury attorney in Queens
Burn cases often involve several possible defendants and technical questions about how a fire started. A burn injury attorney in Queens can bring in fire investigators, engineers and medical experts, preserve the physical evidence, and document the full cost of future care. If you were partly at fault, New York’s comparative negligence rule reduces but doesn’t bar your recovery. Yakov Mushiyev & Associates has recovered over $80 million for injured New Yorkers and handles burn cases on a contingency fee.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in New York?
Most burn injury claims must be filed within three years under CPLR § 214. Claims against the city or another public body generally require a notice of claim within 90 days.
Can I sue if my e-bike battery caught fire?
Possibly. A defective bike, battery or charger can support a product liability claim against the maker or seller, and NYC requires certified e-bikes and batteries to be sold in the city. Save the device and receipts.
Who pays if I was burned at work?
Workers’ compensation generally covers on-the-job injuries, and you may also have a separate claim against a third party such as a contractor or equipment maker.
What if I was partly at fault?
New York’s comparative fault rule reduces your compensation by your share of fault but doesn’t bar the claim.
Visit Yakov Mushiyev & Associates
Our office is at 1 Cross Island Plaza, Suite 325, Rosedale, NY 11422, just off the Cross Island Parkway on the Queens–Nassau border. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you: at home, in the hospital or by video.
Talk to a Queens burn injury lawyer today
Yakov Mushiyev & Associates has recovered over $80 million for injured New Yorkers across the five boroughs and Nassau County. Consultations are free, available in English, Russian and Spanish, and there is no fee unless we win.
Call 718.775.3110 or contact us online for a free case review.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different. Attorney Advertising.