Legally Reviewed by Frank P. Marsalisi on August 11, 2026
A burn injury is one of the most painful and life-altering harms a person can suffer. Beyond the physical trauma, burn victims in Largo often face extended hospital stays, multiple surgeries, and permanent scarring that changes daily life. Whether the burn happened in a car accident, at a job site, or because of a defective product or unsafe property, Florida law gives injured people the right to pursue monetary compensation from the party whose negligence caused the harm.
At Marsalisi Law, attorney Frank P. Marsalisi works directly with burn injury clients throughout Largo and the greater Pinellas County area. Our Largo personal injury practice covers every type of traffic and premises-related injury claim, and this page explains how Florida burn injury claims work, the deadlines that apply, and what to do right now to protect your case. Every case is different, and the severity of a burn injury can affect medical costs, recovery time, and the long-term compensation that may be available.
⚠ TIME-SENSITIVE — FLORIDA LAW LIMITS YOUR WINDOW TO FILE
Florida law gives most burn injury victims only two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit — waiting too long can permanently bar your claim.
Marsalisi Law handles Largo burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis — no legal fees unless we recover monetary compensation on your behalf. Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi provides every client with direct, personal attention from the first consultation through the resolution of the case.
How Florida Burn Injury Claims Work
Florida burn injury claims move through a specific legal framework that determines how quickly you must act, whether you can recover monetary compensation at all, and how the severity of the burn affects what can be recovered. Understanding this framework early gives you a significant advantage over an insurance adjuster who is counting on you not to.
Statute of Limitations for Burn Injury Claims in Florida
Under Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a), a burn injury victim generally has two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida civil court. This two-year deadline applies to injuries occurring on or after March 24, 2023, following the passage of House Bill 837. If a burn injury results in death, surviving family members generally have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim under Florida Statute § 768.19. Injuries that occurred before March 24, 2023 may still fall under the prior four-year window, and an attorney can confirm which deadline applies to a specific case.
⏱ FLORIDA BURN INJURY DEADLINES AT A GLANCE
| Claim Type | Filing Deadline |
| Personal injury — burn occurring on or after March 24, 2023 | 2 years from date of injury |
| Wrongful death from burn injury | 2 years from date of death |
| Workplace burn injury reporting to employer | 30 days; Fla. Stat. § 440.185(1) |
Missing this filing deadline is typically irreversible and can permanently bar an injured person from recovering monetary compensation, regardless of how serious the burn injury was. Because burn injury cases often require time to gather medical records and evaluate the full extent of the injury, including scarring, nerve damage, and the potential need for future surgeries, it is important to speak with an attorney well before the deadline approaches.
Florida’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law and the 50 Percent Bar Rule
One of the most consequential legal changes affecting Largo burn injury victims is Florida’s shift to modified comparative negligence under HB 837, effective March 24, 2023. This change directly determines whether an injured person can recover any monetary compensation at all.
50% or Less at Fault — You May Recover
Your monetary compensation is reduced, not eliminated.
You can still recover monetary compensation, reduced proportionally by your percentage of fault.
More Than 50% at Fault — Recovery Barred
You cannot recover any monetary compensation.
Reaching or exceeding 50 percent of fault extinguishes your right to recover entirely under HB 837, regardless of how severe the burn injury was.
Insurance companies routinely attempt to assign an inflated share of fault to injured burn victims, particularly in workplace and product liability cases where multiple parties may share responsibility. Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi works to build the strongest possible evidence of the responsible party’s fault, including accident reports, product and safety records, and witness statements, before an insurer’s version of events becomes the only version on record.
Types and Causes of Burn Injuries We Handle
Burn injuries are generally classified by severity, and understanding the classification can help explain the medical treatment involved and the potential long-term impact of the injury.
- First-degree burns: Affect only the outer layer of skin, causing redness and pain, and typically heal without scarring.
- Second-degree burns: Extend into the deeper layer of skin, often causing blistering, swelling, and significant pain, and may require ongoing wound care.
- Third-degree burns: Destroy both layers of skin and can damage underlying tissue, frequently requiring skin grafts and leaving permanent scarring.
- Fourth-degree burns: Extend through the skin into muscle, tendon, or bone, and represent the most severe classification, often requiring extensive reconstructive surgery.
Burn injuries in and around Largo commonly arise from several types of incidents:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Collisions involving passenger vehicles, motorcycles, or commercial trucks can result in fuel-fed fires, hot surfaces, or airbag deployment burns. Vehicle fires following a crash can cause severe burn injuries in addition to the trauma of the collision itself.
Workplace Accidents
Workers in construction, food service, manufacturing, and other industries may be exposed to open flames, hot equipment, steam, electrical hazards, or hazardous chemicals. A workplace burn caused by unsafe conditions may support legal options beyond a workers’ compensation claim.
Defective Products
Household appliances, electrical equipment, and consumer products that malfunction, overheat, or fail to include adequate warnings can cause serious burn injuries. Manufacturers and distributors may be held responsible when a defective product causes harm.
Premises Liability — Scalding and Chemical Burns
Property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. Scalding from water heaters, exposed steam pipes, or improperly maintained pools and hot tubs, and chemical burns from improperly stored cleaning products, can form the basis of a premises liability claim.
If the type of incident you experienced is not listed above, contact our office for a free consultation, since attorney Frank P. Marsalisi reviews all potential cases directly and can advise you on your legal options at no cost to you.
Compensation Available to Burn Injury Victims
Because burn injuries frequently involve long recovery periods, multiple surgeries, and lasting scarring, injured people in Largo may be able to pursue several categories of monetary compensation, depending on the facts of their case.
| Economic Damages | Non-Economic Damages |
|---|---|
| Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries and skin grafts | Pain and suffering |
| Lost wages and reduced earning capacity | Emotional distress |
| Physical therapy and rehabilitation costs | Permanent scarring or disfigurement |
| Assistive devices and home modification costs | Loss of enjoyment of life |
A settlement or verdict amount depends entirely on the specific facts of each case, including the severity of the injury and the available insurance coverage. No outcome can be guaranteed, and Marsalisi Law evaluates every category of damages before advising a client on any settlement offer.
How Frank P. Marsalisi Approaches Your Case
Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi handles burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning a client pays no attorney fees whatsoever unless and until he recovers monetary compensation on their behalf. There is no upfront cost and no financial risk, and if Marsalisi Law does not recover, the client does not pay.
Burn injury claims often require more medical documentation and more careful evaluation than other personal injury cases, because the full extent of a burn injury may not be known for months or even years after the initial injury. Frank P. Marsalisi reviews medical records, accident reports, and, where relevant, product or property safety information to help identify every party who may be responsible for a burn injury. He works directly with clients to gather evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and evaluate settlement offers.
Frank P. Marsalisi has represented injured people throughout Largo and Pinellas County for years, giving him familiarity with local courts, common causes of local burn injuries, and the insurance carriers that routinely defend claims in this community. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case, and every case is evaluated on its own facts.
Why Largo Residents Choose Marsalisi Law
Choosing a personal injury attorney after a serious burn injury is an important decision. Marsalisi Law has represented injured people throughout Largo and Pinellas County, and Frank P. Marsalisi remains personally involved in every case. You can learn more about his background and approach on the About Us page.
Direct Attorney Attention
Every client works directly with attorney Frank P. Marsalisi from the first consultation — not a case manager or paralegal.
No Fee Unless You Recover
Marsalisi Law handles burn injury claims on a contingency fee basis. There are no legal fees unless we recover monetary compensation on your behalf.
Bilingual Representation
Frank P. Marsalisi is bilingual in English and Spanish, allowing clients to discuss their case comfortably in either language.
Serving Pinellas County
Marsalisi Law represents burn injury victims throughout Largo and the surrounding Pinellas County communities.
If you or a family member suffered a burn injury in Largo, use our contact form to request a free consultation. Attorney Frank P. Marsalisi will review your case personally and explain your legal options at no cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries in Largo, FL
Contact Marsalisi Law for Help With Your Burn Injury Claim
Frank P. Marsalisi believes that every person injured in a burn accident deserves the full attention of a personal injury attorney. With legal services offered in both English and Spanish, clients can feel comfortable discussing their claim in either language. Frank has spent years representing injured people throughout Largo and Pinellas County, and he remains personally involved in every case rather than delegating your file to a case manager or paralegal. Marsalisi Law handles burn injury claims on a contingency fee basis, so there is no fee unless we recover monetary compensation on your behalf. Use our contact form or call (727) 800-5052 to schedule a free consultation today.