What a burn injury lawyer does, and when you might need one
A burn injury lawyer in Denver handles cases where someone else's negligence or wrongdoing caused your burn. They work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of what you recover instead of charging upfront fees. This matters because burn injuries are expensive—skin grafts, infection treatment, scar revision surgery, and years of wound care add up fast. A lawyer's job is to document those costs, prove who was responsible, and negotiate or litigate to get you compensation.
You might need a lawyer if your burn happened at work (workers' compensation may not cover everything), in a car crash, from a defective product, in a rental property, or because of someone's recklessness. If the burn was minor and you paid out of pocket, you may not need one. If you required hospitalization, had surgery, or face ongoing treatment, a lawyer can help you understand whether a claim is worth pursuing.
Colorado law gives you two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. After that, your right to sue expires. This important date is real and does not move, so if you are considering legal action, starting the conversation with a lawyer within the first year is practical.
Key Takeaways
- Burn injury lawyers in Denver work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless you recover money.
- Colorado's statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury, after which you cannot file a lawsuit.
- You will need medical records, proof of who caused the injury, and documentation of all costs—medical, lost wages, and ongoing care.
- Many Denver lawyers offer free initial consultations where they review your case and tell you whether pursuing it makes sense.
- Workers' compensation cases have different rules and shorter timelines than personal injury cases, so the type of burn matters.
How to find a burn injury lawyer in Denver
Start with the Colorado Bar Association lawyer referral service, which lists attorneys by practice area and location. You can search online at coloradobar.org or call their referral line. They verify that lawyers are licensed and in good standing, which is a basic safety check.
Ask for lawyers who specifically handle burn injuries or personal injury cases involving serious burns. A lawyer who handles car accidents may not understand the medical complexity of burn recovery or know how to value long-term scar treatment and psychological care. Experience matters here.
Once you have a few names, call each one and ask whether they offer a free initial consultation. Most do. In that call, tell them what happened, when it happened, and whether you have already sought medical care. Ask them directly: "Do you think this case is worth pursuing?" A lawyer who says yes should explain why. A lawyer who says no is doing you a favor by being honest.
Check online reviews on Google and Avvo, but treat them as one data point, not the whole picture. Read what people say about communication and follow-through, not just the outcome—some cases lose on the merits even with a good lawyer.
What information to gather before you meet a lawyer
Bring or have ready: the date and time of the injury, the exact location, and a written account of what happened. Include names and contact information for anyone who saw it. Take photos of the burn if you have them, and of any property involved (the stove, the faulty product, the unsafe condition).
Collect all medical records—emergency room visit, hospital discharge papers, surgeon's notes, physical therapy records, and any follow-up appointments. If you have not yet sought treatment, do that first. A lawyer cannot build a case without medical documentation, and delaying care weakens your claim because it suggests the injury was not serious.
Write down all costs: medical bills paid so far, insurance copays, travel to appointments, time off work, and any out-of-pocket expenses for bandages, medications, or home care. Keep receipts. If you are still in treatment, estimate what future care will cost based on what your doctor has told you.
Note whether you reported the injury to anyone at the time—your employer, the property owner, the store manager, or police. If there was a police report, get the report number. If your employer filed an incident report, ask for a copy.
Understanding contingency fees and what they mean for your recovery
Under a contingency agreement, your lawyer's fee is typically one-third of what you recover, though this varies. Some lawyers charge 25 percent for cases that settle early, and 40 percent if the case goes to trial. Ask about this upfront and get it in writing.
The lawyer also pays for case costs—informed witnesses, medical records, court filing fees, investigation—out of pocket. If you lose, you owe nothing. If you win, those costs come out of your recovery before you see your share. A lawyer should explain this clearly and give you an estimate of what costs might run.
This structure means your lawyer only makes money if you do, so they have incentive to pursue cases they believe in. It also means they will not take weak cases, because they cannot afford to. If a lawyer declines your case, that is information.
What happens after you hire a lawyer
Your lawyer will send a formal demand letter to the person or company responsible for your burn, along with copies of your medical records and bills. This letter explains what happened, why they are liable, and how much you are claiming. The other side has time to respond—usually 30 days.
If they deny responsibility or offer less than you are owed, your lawyer will negotiate. Most cases settle without trial. If settlement talks stall, your lawyer will file a lawsuit in Denver District Court. From filing to trial can take one to three years, depending on the court's schedule.
Throughout this process, you will be in touch with your lawyer's office about medical updates, new bills, and questions. You should expect regular communication, especially if your case is active. Ask your lawyer how often they will update you and what the best way to reach them is.
Special rules for workers' compensation burns
If your burn happened at work in Colorado, you likely have a workers' compensation claim instead of a personal injury claim. Workers' comp covers medical care and a portion of lost wages, but you cannot sue your employer for additional damages. The tradeoff is that you do not have to prove negligence—you just have to show the injury happened at work.
However, if a third party caused your burn—a contractor, a product manufacturer, a delivery driver—you may have both a workers' comp claim and a personal injury lawsuit against that third party. A lawyer can help you navigate both. Workers' comp claims have shorter timelines and different rules, so it is important to report your injury to your employer and file with the Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation quickly.
If your employer retaliated against you for filing a workers' comp claim, that is illegal under Colorado law and a lawyer should know about it.
Questions to ask a lawyer in your first consultation
Beyond whether they think your case is worth pursuing, ask: How many burn injury cases have you handled? What was the outcome? How long do you expect this to take? What will it cost in case expenses? How often will you communicate with me? Do you handle settlement negotiations or do you always go to trial? Will you work with my doctors or hire informed witnesses? What is your contingency percentage?
A lawyer who answers these questions clearly and does not pressure you to decide on the spot is someone worth considering. You should feel comfortable with them, because you will be working together through a difficult time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue if the burn was partly my fault?
Colorado follows comparative negligence rules. If you were partly at fault, you can still recover, but your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20 percent at fault and the award is $100,000, you receive $80,000. A lawyer will assess how much fault a court might assign to you.
What if the person who caused my burn does not have insurance?
You can still sue them, but collecting money is harder. A lawyer will investigate whether they have assets or income that can be garnished. Some cases are not worth pursuing if the defendant has nothing to pay. Your lawyer will tell you this upfront.
How long does a burn injury case usually take?
Settlement cases often resolve within six months to two years. Litigation can take two to four years from filing to trial. The timeline depends on how complex the case is, how willing both sides are to negotiate, and how backed up the court is. Your lawyer should give you a realistic estimate based on your specific situation.
Do I have to go to court?
Most cases settle before trial, so you may never step foot in a courtroom. If your case does go to trial, your lawyer will prepare you for what to expect and what questions you may be asked. You will likely testify about your injury and how it has affected your life.
What if I already accepted a settlement from my insurance company?
That depends on what you signed. If you signed a full release, you may have given up the right to sue. If you only settled the insurance claim, you might still have a personal injury case. A lawyer can review what you signed and tell you whether you have options.