Average Settlement for Burn Injuries in 2026

Between September and December of 2025, our research team analyzed burn injury settlement data from across the United States. Our analysis drew primarily from insurance filings. We supplemented this with court records to verify compensation patterns. Medical cost analyses provided additional context for understanding settlement values. This report examines burn injuries caused by negligence. Some result from workplace accidents. Others stem from premises liability or vehicle fires. Still others involve defective products.

The findings show that burn injury settlements typically range from $10,000 to $10,000,000+, with the most influential factors being the degree and extent of the burn, the presence of permanent scarring or disfigurement, and the total medical treatment costs. Settlement amounts vary significantly based on these and other case-specific circumstances.

Key Takeaways:

• Burn degree classification drives base compensation, with fourth-degree burns involving amputation reaching settlements up to $10 million while first-degree burns typically settle between $5,000 and $25,000.
• Facial scarring substantially increases settlement values compared to burns on other body areas, often resulting in compensation 2-3 times higher due to psychological impact and visible disfigurement.
• Long-term care requirements dramatically affect final settlements, particularly for young victims whose projected lifetime care costs can span 60-70+ years of medical intervention and support services.

Disclosure: The settlement ranges and case outcome information provided on this website are for general informational purposes only. All data has been compiled from publicly available sources, industry research, and third-party reporting. This information is not based on the outcomes of cases handled by our firm and should not be interpreted as a promise or guarantee of any specific result in your case.

The degree of a burn injury is the primary factor determining settlement amounts. Burn injuries are classified into four degrees based on the depth of tissue damage, with fourth-degree burns being the most severe and life-threatening.

The following table breaks down national average settlement ranges based on burn classification:

Key Insights: 

• Third-degree burns covering more than 20% of total body surface area consistently result in settlements exceeding $500,000 due to the extensive medical treatment required and permanent physical impairments.
• The location of the burn on the body significantly impacts settlement value, with facial burns commanding higher compensation due to visible disfigurement and psychological impact.
• Fourth-degree burn cases involving amputations or catastrophic permanent disability regularly achieve settlements in the multi-million dollar range, particularly when liability is clear, and the victim is young with significant lost earning capacity.

Permanent scarring and disfigurement represent one of the most significant non-economic damages in burn injury cases. 

The data reveals clear patterns in how scarring severity correlates with settlement amounts:

Key Insights: 

• Facial and neck scarring consistently results in settlement amounts 2-3 times higher than equivalent burns on other body parts, reflecting the profound psychological impact and social challenges victims face.
• Younger victims with permanent scarring typically receive higher compensation due to the extended duration they must live with the disfigurement and its impact on life milestones, including relationships and career advancement.
• Cases involving keloid scarring or contractures that limit mobility and require ongoing reconstructive procedures often settle for amounts at the upper end of each category, as these complications add both economic and non-economic damages.

Medical expenses form the foundation of economic damages in burn injury cases. Burn treatment is among the most expensive forms of medical care, with hospitalization costs averaging $24,000 per stay, more than twice the cost of non-burn-related hospital stays. 

The complexity and duration of medical treatment directly impact settlement amounts:

Key Insights: 

• Skin graft procedures, which cost upwards of $17,000 per surgery and are required in approximately 29% of burn injury cases, substantially increase both economic damages and overall settlement values.
• Infection complications, occurring in approximately 35% of severe burn cases, can add up to $120,000 in additional medical costs and significantly strengthen the economic damages component of settlement negotiations.
• Future medical care projections play a critical role in settlement calculations, with severe burn victims typically requiring ongoing scar revision surgeries, physical therapy, and psychological treatment for 5-10 years post-injury or longer.

The need for long-term care and ongoing medical intervention represents a critical factor in determining final settlement amounts. Many severe burn victims face a lifetime of medical procedures, adaptive equipment needs, home care assistance, and psychological support.

Settlement amounts reflect the anticipated duration and intensity of ongoing care:

Key Insights: 

• Burn victims requiring permanent home modifications, such as wheelchair accessibility or specialized bathing facilities, typically receive additional compensation ranging from $50,000 to $300,000 to cover these one-time capital expenses.
• Cases involving young children with severe burns command substantially higher settlements because the projected lifetime care costs span 60-70+ years, multiplying the annual care needs by decades of required support.
• Life care plans prepared by certified specialists provide crucial documentation of future needs and substantially strengthen settlement negotiations, often increasing final compensation by 30-50% compared to cases without detailed future care projections.