Suffering a burn in a public place can be a painful, distressing experience. Whether you were scalded by a hot drink in a café, burned by faulty equipment in a hotel, or injured during a treatment at a salon, the aftermath can leave you unsure what to do next or who’s responsible.
Under public liability law, businesses and property owners have a legal duty to keep you safe. If they’ve failed in that duty and you’ve been hurt as a result, you may be entitled to make a claim for a burn injury in a public place.
At Express Solicitors, we help people like you claim the compensation they deserve, with compassion, clarity and confidence. We’re experts in public liability burn compensation and will guide you every step of the way.
How can you be burned in a public place?
Burn injuries in public spaces can happen in all kinds of everyday settings – often when you least expect them. From hot drinks in cafés to faulty heating in hotels or chemical spills in supermarkets, these accidents can have serious consequences. Here are some of the most common causes:
Hot drinks
Spills from hot drinks are one of the most frequent causes of burn injuries in public places. You might be scalded by a drink knocked over by a staff member or suffer a burn from an unstable table or poorly secured takeaway coffee cup lid. These accidents can be especially dangerous for children or vulnerable adults. If this has happened to you, you might have grounds to make a claim for being scalded by a hot drink.
Steam or heating burns
Burns from exposed radiators, hot pipes or faulty steam rooms are often caused by poor maintenance. These incidents can happen in hotels, gyms, leisure centres or even shops. Businesses are legally responsible for keeping their premises safe, including regulating heat sources and warning visitors of potential risks.
Spa or salon burns
Beauty treatments carry risks if staff are not properly trained or don’t follow safety procedures. Burns from waxing, chemical peels or laser treatments can cause long-term pain and anxiety, especially if there’s a risk of scarring. If this sounds familiar, you might be able to make a spa or salon burn injury claim.
Chemical burns
Exposure to cleaning products like bleach or industrial-strength chemicals can cause serious burns to the skin, eyes or lungs. These incidents often occur in places like public toilets, supermarkets, gyms or leisure centres, especially when products are left unattended or used without proper signage.
Who is at fault for a public burn injury?
If you’ve been burned in a public place, you might be wondering who’s to blame, especially if the accident seemed sudden or avoidable. In most cases, the responsibility lies with the business or person in control of the premises.
Under public liability law, owners and operators of public spaces have a legal duty of care to protect your safety. This includes identifying risks, keeping equipment well maintained, providing proper training to staff and displaying clear warnings when necessary.
You might be able to claim compensation if your injury was caused by negligence, for example:
- No warning signs for hot surfaces or wet floors
- Poorly secured or overfilled takeaway cups
- Staff using unsafe techniques or products
- Equipment that’s damaged, exposed or not fit for use
If your injury wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to carry the cost. We’re here to help you take the next step with confidence.
What evidence do you need to make a claim?
To make a successful burn injury public place claim, it helps to gather as much evidence as possible to support your case. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything straight away, we’ll guide you through what’s needed and help you fill in the gaps. These are some key pieces of evidence that can strengthen your claim:
- Medical records — These confirm the nature and severity of your injury, the treatment you received and any lasting effects.
- Photographs — Images of the injury and the location where it happened can help show what went wrong.
- Witness statements or CCTV — If anyone saw what happened, their account can support your version of events. CCTV footage is also useful if available.
- Evidence of a complaint — If you reported the incident to the business or premises owner, keep a copy of the complaint and any response you received.
The more information you can provide, the stronger your case will be. If you’re unsure what to gather and when, we’ll help you every step of the way.
How to make a claim
Making a burn injury public place claim might feel overwhelming but we’re here to make it simple and stress-free. At Express Solicitors, we handle everything with care and clarity, so you can focus on getting better.
We offer no win, no fee support, so there’s no upfront payment and you only pay if your claim is successful.
You could be entitled to two types of compensation:
- General damages — This covers the pain, suffering and emotional impact of your injury, including any long-term effects or scarring.
- Special damages — This covers the financial costs, like lost earnings, medical bills, travel to appointments or future treatment needs.
Every case is different, but you can count on us to treat your claim with the urgency, care and attention it deserves.
Make a claim with Express Solicitors
If you’ve suffered a burn injury in a public place, we’re here to help. Our friendly legal experts will listen to your story, explain your options and handle your claim with care from start to finish.
We know how much it matters to feel safe and supported. So get in touch today to begin.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a claim against a café or restaurant for a burn?
If staff were negligent or failed to keep the environment safe, you might be able to claim compensation for your injuries.
Can I make a claim against a faulty radiator in a hotel?
You might be eligible if the hotel failed to maintain the radiator or didn’t warn you of the risk and you were injured as a result.
Can I make a claim if a child is burned in a public place?
Parents or guardians can claim on a child’s behalf. We’ll guide you through the process with care and sensitivity.
What if I didn’t report the incident until later?
We’ll help gather evidence and explain your options, even if some time has passed since the accident.