Jacksonville Burn Injury Lawyer
John M. Phillips is a Board Certified civil trial attorney with 25+ years of experience securing maximum compensation for catastrophic burn injuries. His $495,123,680 verdict stands as the largest in Jacksonville history—a judgment that demonstrates his ability to take the most serious burn cases to trial and win decisively. Forbes named him a Top 200 Lawyer in America (2025) and a Top 20 Lawyer in Florida.
Burn injuries are among the most devastating injuries a human can survive. They destroy skin, expose nerves, cause excruciating pain, and leave permanent disfiguring scars. A severe burn injury can end your career, destroy your self-image, and require a lifetime of medical care, surgical reconstruction, and psychological treatment.
Most burn injuries are preventable. They result from negligence: defective space heaters, faulty electrical systems, unsafe product design, negligent supervision of children, and inadequate workplace safety protocols. The person or company responsible for that negligence must pay for the full extent of harm caused by the burn.
At Phillips, Hunt & Walker, we handle catastrophic burn cases that demand maximum compensation. We front all costs and litigation expenses at no interest (competitors charge LIBOR + 8%). We investigate thoroughly. We secure expert testimony. And we hold defendants accountable for decades of medical care, scarring, and psychological trauma caused by burns.
Burn Classification and Severity
First-Degree Burns affect only the outermost layer of skin (epidermis). First-degree burns are painful but typically heal without scarring within days or weeks. Sunburn is a common first-degree burn. First-degree burns rarely result in significant litigation.
Second-Degree Burns extend into the dermis (the layer below the epidermis). Second-degree burns blister, cause severe pain, and take weeks to months to heal. Scarring is common. Shallow second-degree burns may heal without permanent scarring; deep second-degree burns almost always scar.
Third-Degree Burns destroy the entire thickness of skin (epidermis and dermis) and extend into subcutaneous fat and muscle. Third-degree burns are full-thickness burns that destroy all skin structures. The burn area is charred, leathery, and numb (because nerves are destroyed). Third-degree burns always require grafting and almost always leave severe, disfiguring scars.
Fourth-Degree Burns extend beyond skin into muscle and bone. These are catastrophic, often life-threatening burns that destroy significant tissue depth. Amputation is often necessary.
Percentage of Body Surface Area (TBSA) determines overall severity and prognosis. Burns covering 10-20% of body surface are serious. Burns covering 40%+ of body surface are life-threatening. A person with 50%+ TBSA burn injury faces months of ICU hospitalization, multiple surgeries, infection risk, and potential death.
Medical Consequences and Lifetime Care
Acute Hospitalization is required for burns covering more than 10-15% of body surface. ICU admission, specialized burn center care, IV fluids, pain management, antibiotics, and surgical debridement are standard. Hospital costs for severe burns exceed $100,000-$500,000+ for initial hospitalization alone.
Skin Grafting is required for second-, third-, and fourth-degree burns. Autografting (using patient’s own skin) is the gold standard but limited by available donor skin. Allograft (cadaver skin) and xenograft (animal skin) are temporary. Synthetic skin substitutes are used as temporary coverage. Multiple graft procedures are common. Each grafting procedure costs $10,000-$50,000+.
Scar Contracture occurs as burns heal. Scars shrink and tighten, restricting movement and causing deformity. Contractures can prevent normal joint movement, requiring additional surgery (scar release and re-grafting) to restore function.
Hypertrophic Scarring is excessive, raised scarring that is cosmetically disfiguring. Treatment includes pressure garments, silicone gel sheets, steroid injections, and surgical scar revision. Multiple treatments spanning years are common.
Itching and Neuropathic Pain are nearly universal in burn survivors. Severe itching can persist for years, sometimes unrelenting and severe enough to prevent sleep. Pain from nerve regeneration in healing burns can be severe and may persist long-term.
Infection and Sepsis are the leading causes of death in severe burn patients. Burns destroy the skin barrier, allowing bacterial colonization and systemic infection. Sepsis kills more burn patients than the initial burn injury.
Cosmetic Surgery and Reconstruction spans years after the initial burn. Scar revision, Z-plasty, tissue expansion, and flap procedures attempt to improve appearance and function. Many burns require 10+ procedures over years. Cosmetic procedures cost $5,000-$50,000 each. A lifetime of cosmetic procedures can cost $500,000+.
Psychological Trauma and PTSD are nearly universal in burn survivors. The memory of the burn event, the pain, and the disfigurement cause lasting psychological injury. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation are common. Lifelong psychological counseling may be necessary.
Sexual Dysfunction and Relationship Loss are common. Severe scarring and disfigurement cause shame, body image disturbance, and sexual dysfunction. Many burn survivors experience relationship dissolution and social isolation.
Causes of Burn Injuries
Defective Products are a common cause of burn injuries. Space heaters with faulty thermostats overheat and ignite nearby materials. Hairdryers with defective heating elements malfunction and cause burns. Electrical products with internal short circuits spark and ignite. Defective products are often recalled after causing injuries, confirming the manufacturer knew of the defect.
Workplace Burns result from inadequate workplace safety protocols. Industrial equipment without proper guards allows workers to contact hot surfaces. Chemical burns from inadequate PPE or spill procedures. Electrical burns from improper grounding or maintenance. Employers’ negligence in workplace safety causes burn injuries.
Premises Liability Burns occur when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions. Defective wiring causes electrical fires. Space heaters placed too close to combustibles ignite fires. Swimming pool or spa equipment malfunctions and causes thermal burns. Inadequate supervision of children around hot surfaces leads to child burn injuries.
Vehicle Fires result from defective fuel systems, electrical systems, or design flaws that make vehicles susceptible to fire after crashes. Occupants may be trapped and burned to death.
Negligent Supervision of children around hot water, stoves, fires, or defective products leads to child burn injuries. Daycare facilities, schools, and caretakers must maintain safe environments for children.
Why Phillips, Hunt & Walker
Board-Certified Trial Excellence. John M. Phillips is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law—held by fewer than 5% of Florida attorneys. This credential demonstrates extensive trial experience, peer review, and mastery of trial practice.
Institutional Recognition. Forbes named John a Top 200 Lawyer in America (2025) and a Top 20 Lawyer in Florida. He holds AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in Florida Super Lawyers.
Trial Strength. Our $495,123,680 verdict—the largest in Jacksonville history—demonstrates our ability to take catastrophic cases to trial and win decisively.
No-Cost, Interest-Free Litigation. We front all costs at no interest. Competitors charge LIBOR + 8%, adding $50,000+ to your bill. We don’t.
Personalized Representation. John handles your case personally. You get a Board-Certified trial lawyer’s expertise from day one.
Contact Phillips, Hunt & Walker
If you or a loved one suffered a serious burn injury due to negligence, don’t accept a low settlement. Get a Board-Certified trial lawyer in your corner.
Free consultation. No cost to you. No interest on litigation expenses.
Call (904) 444-4444 today.
Phillips, Hunt & Walker
660 Park Street
Jacksonville, FL 32204
(904) 444-4444
Board-Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Offices in Jacksonville, Brunswick, and Fort Pierce.