Severe burns create an immediate medical crisis that can require surgeries, long hospital stays, and long courses of rehabilitation. Families face financial pressure, missed work, and uncertainty about what the future holds. The effects are physical, emotional, and practical, and touch nearly every part of daily life.
Tim W. Mazzela helps bring order to this process by reviewing what happened, identifying who may be responsible, and pursuing the resources needed to cover both immediate care and long-term needs. If you or someone close to you suffered severe burns in Fresno, call Tim W. Mazzela at (559) 297-1118 to speak directly with a Fresno burn injury lawyer about your options.
Lasting Challenges After a Burn Injury
Long after the initial accident, burn injuries can leave the victim with daily challenges. Repeated surgeries, physical therapy, and medical care that extend far into the future can be necessary for recovery. Appearance and function can be altered by scarring and disfigurement, even restricting mobility and work ability in severe cases. Survivors also carry emotional struggles like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress.
Tim Mazzela shows the full scope of harm by working with medical experts and documenting both immediate needs and future consequences so compensation reflects the entire reality of the injury.
Types of Burn Injuries in Fresno Cases
Tim Mazzela approaches each burn case differently because the type and cause of the injury shape how the evidence is presented.
- Thermal burns from fires, explosions, or hot surfaces, supported by fire department reports and photographs of the scene.
- Electrical burns from faulty wiring, downed power lines, or unsafe equipment, where safety inspections and utility records show the source of the hazard.
- Chemical burns linked to agriculture or industrial work, with product labels, workplace safety logs, and chemical handling records documenting exposure.
- Scalds from boiling water, hot oil, or steam in restaurants, food service, or homes, backed by maintenance logs or witness statements about unsafe practices.
- Vehicle-related burns caused by crashes, fuel fires, or explosions, where accident reports, mechanical inspections, and photographs of vehicle damage provide proof.
Each type of burn requires evidence that shows both the injury and the circumstances that caused it. Tim Mazzela focuses on gathering the right mix of medical records and supporting documents so the case reflects the full scope of harm.
Where Burn Injuries Happen in Fresno
Burn injuries can occur in different settings, and each one raises different questions about responsibility. Tim Mazzela examines the source of the fire or hazard, identifies who failed to act safely, and builds a case that connects those failures to the injury.
- Apartment and rental housing fires connected to poor maintenance, where landlords may have ignored fire code requirements or failed to repair unsafe wiring.
- Agricultural fields and industrial job sites where workers face exposure to chemicals, equipment malfunctions, or inadequate safety training, with investigations focusing on workplace practices and employer responsibility.
- Restaurants, food service, and commercial kitchens where scalding liquids, hot oil, or faulty appliances cause severe burns, with maintenance records and employee statements documenting unsafe conditions.
- Highway 99 and other major road accidents where crashes lead to vehicle fires, with liability proven through accident reports, vehicle inspections, and driver conduct.
- Gas line or utility-related explosions where contractors or utility providers may have failed to follow safety standards, with technical reports and inspection records forming part of the evidence.
Tim Mazzela connects the circumstances of the accident to the responsible party and pursues the resources needed for recovery.
Degrees of Burns and Legal Impact
The severity of a burn shapes the medical recovery, the costs, and the value of the case.
First- and second-degree burns usually heal with shorter treatment and leave limited lasting effects. Compensation in burn injury cases centers on medical expenses and missed work during recovery.
Third-degree burns require extensive treatment, including skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. Injuries at this level can leave permanent scarring or reduced function. Damages extend into future medical care and lost earning ability.
Fourth-degree and higher burns bring catastrophic harm. Victims may face permanent disability, loss of mobility, or in the most severe cases death, which can overlap with wrongful death claims pursued by family members.
Tim Mazzela works with medical experts to connect the degree of injury to projected lifetime costs. He presents how the level of burn translates into long-term consequences for the client.
Medical Treatment and Costs
Severe burns require immediate and specialized medical care. Emergency treatment for burns in Fresno typically begins at Community Regional Medical Center, where trauma teams stabilize patients and address life-threatening injuries. Many survivors undergo skin grafts, infection management, and reconstructive surgery that extend well beyond the initial hospital stay.
Recovery continues with physical therapy and occupational rehab designed to restore movement and function. In the most serious cases, prosthetics or assistive devices become part of daily life. Long-term treatment creates expenses that stretch years into the future and cannot be measured by short-term medical bills alone.
Tim Mazzela presents the complete scope of treatment costs, supported by medical experts, so future needs remain part of the case and are not minimized by insurers.
Who May Be Held Responsible
Responsibility for a burn injury is not always tied to the most obvious cause. Fires and explosions can stem from multiple failures, and liability may rest with more than one party. Tim Mazzela investigates each angle to uncover what happened and connect the evidence to those responsible.
- Landlords who neglect fire safety standards or fail to repair dangerous wiring.
- Employers who do not provide proper gear or training in hazardous workplaces.
- Manufacturers whose defective products or appliances trigger fires or burns.
- Drivers whose collisions lead to vehicle fires or explosions.
- Contractors or utility providers whose mistakes in gas or electrical work result in explosions or fires.
Tim Mazzela examines every possibility, not just the most visible one, and works to hold the right parties accountable so clients can secure the resources needed for care and recovery.
Evidence That Strengthens a Burn Case
Tim Mazzela knows which forms of proof carry the most weight in showing both liability and damages, and he works quickly to secure them before they disappear.
- Fire marshal or OSHA reports that document safety violations or causes of the fire.
- Product defect investigations and recalls that link an injury to faulty design or manufacturing.
- Witness accounts and photos of the scene that establish what happened and how.
- Medical records and photographs of scarring that track the physical toll of the injury.
- Expert testimony on long-term care and prognosis that explains future treatment and costs.
Each piece of evidence adds depth to the case and strengthens the connection between the cause of the burn and the lasting impact on the client’s life.
How Insurance Companies Push Back
Insurance companies use tactics designed to cut the value of burn cases. For example:
- Labeling scarring as “cosmetic” and refusing to cover it.
- Disputing the need for additional surgeries or ongoing rehab.
- Pointing to pre-existing conditions as the cause of harm.
- Offering settlements that fall short of lifetime costs.
Tim Mazzela prepares for insurance company strategies and responds to them with evidence like medical documentation and expert testimony that shows the true cost of recovery.
Compensation Available in California Burn Cases
Burn injuries create costs that extend well beyond the first hospital bill. Tim Mazzela works with medical and financial experts to measure those losses and present them in ways insurers cannot ignore.
- Medical expenses and future treatment that cover surgeries, therapy, and ongoing care.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity when recovery limits a client’s ability to return to work.
- Pain and suffering tied to the physical and emotional toll of a long recovery.
- Damages for disfigurement and permanent scarring that account for visible and lasting changes.
- Loss of enjoyment of life when an injury limits daily activities, hobbies, or independence.
Tim Mazzela documents each category in detail so compensation reflects both immediate needs and the long-term impact of severe burns.
California Law and Burn Cases
Burn injury claims in California fall under specific rules that shape how cases move forward.
- Two-year statute of limitations (Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1) sets the deadline to file most personal injury cases.
- Premises liability standards apply when negligent property owners fail to correct dangerous conditions that lead to fires or burns.
- Workers’ compensation coverage provides benefits for employees injured on the job, but it may not cover the full scope of losses.
- Third-party lawsuits allow claims against manufacturers, contractors, or others whose negligence contributed to a workplace burn.
Tim Mazzela keeps cases on track with the deadlines set by California law and looks for opportunities to pursue recovery beyond workers’ compensation when additional parties share responsibility.
Protecting Your Case After a Burn Injury in Fresno
The steps you take in the hours and days after a burn injury can make a difference in both recovery and the strength of a case.
- Seek immediate medical care so the injuries are treated and documented from the start.
- Preserve burned clothing, appliances, or defective products that may later serve as physical evidence.
- Photograph the injuries and the scene to create a record of how the burn occurred and its impact.
- Request official reports from fire or safety officials to support the cause of the accident.
- Contact a Fresno burn injury lawyer soon so evidence does not disappear and deadlines are not missed.
Tim Mazzela guides clients through all the necessary steps and helps make sure the information needed to prove liability and damages is preserved from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a burn injury case take in California?
Timelines vary. Cases with clear liability and good medical documentation may resolve within a year or less, while severe burns requiring ongoing care can extend the process because future costs need to be calculated.
What if the burn happened at work?
Workplace burns fall under workers’ compensation, but in some cases a third party like a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or utility company may also share responsibility. Tim Mazzela reviews the facts to see if recovery beyond workers’ comp is possible.
Can landlords be held responsible for unsafe housing conditions?
Yes. If a landlord ignores fire code requirements, faulty wiring, or broken smoke detectors, they can be held accountable for resulting injuries.
How do courts and insurers evaluate scarring and disfigurement?
Compensation depends on the severity of the scarring, its location, the impact on mobility or function, and the emotional effect on the client. Medical experts provide testimony that connects key factors to long-term damages.
What happens if a defective product caused the burn?
Defective appliances, tools, or consumer goods can form the basis of a product liability case. Evidence may include recall notices, engineering reports, or expert opinions that trace the fire or explosion back to a design or manufacturing flaw.
Do I need to pay upfront?
No. Tim Mazzela handles burn injury cases on a contingency basis, which means clients do not pay fees unless compensation is recovered.
What should I bring to an initial consultation?
Bring medical records, photographs of the injury, incident reports, and any correspondence from insurers. Even partial records help Tim Mazzela start evaluating the case.
Trust Tim Mazzela, APC with Your Burn Injury Case
Severe burns leave lasting medical, financial, and emotional challenges, and the outcome of a case depends on showing how those struggles will continue into the future. Tim W. Mazzela builds cases that connect medical records, expert testimony, and evidence from the scene so insurers cannot downplay the impact. He pushes for results that cover both immediate needs and long-term recovery. Call (559) 297-1118 today to speak directly with a Fresno burn injury lawyer.
