Burn injuries in nursing homes are not only painful—they’re often avoidable. When an elderly resident suffers a burn, it may indicate more than an accident. It signals serious lapses in care, inadequate supervision, or even neglect.
In long-term care settings, where residents depend on others for basic needs, a burn injury can be a sign that something has gone very wrong.
Families deserve to know what caused the injury, whether it could have been prevented, and what steps they can take to protect their loved one. At Gharibian Law, we’ve seen firsthand how these incidents can highlight systemic issues—and how important it is to act quickly.
Learn how and why burn injuries happen—and what that says about a facility’s level of care.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Nursing Homes
Between 2019 and 2023, an estimated 35,000 adults over age 60 were admitted to burn centers for injuries in the U.S. These injuries often trace back to routine tasks that should be safe, like bathing or eating.
Some of the ways these injuries happen inside nursing homes:
Scalding From Hot Water or Food
Nursing home neglect burns often occur during assisted bathing or mealtimes. Residents may be scalded by overly hot bathwater or burned by hot food and drinks, especially if they can’t move away quickly or communicate discomfort.
Contact With Hot Surfaces
Contact burns can happen when residents come into direct contact with radiators, cooking appliances, or heating pads. These injuries often occur if a resident falls, becomes confused, or is left too close to a hot surface without supervision.
Chemical Burns
Exposure to industrial cleaners, disinfectants, or improperly applied medications (like prescription-strength capsaicin or benzoyl peroxide) can result in chemical burns. If these substances are left within reach of residents or applied without clear instructions, they can cause serious skin damage.
Electrical Burns
Electrical burns may happen when residents come into contact with exposed wires, damaged equipment, or faulty bed motors. These risks may increase in older facilities with outdated wiring or poorly maintained devices.
Burns From Smoking or Oxygen Use
In some nursing homes, residents are allowed to smoke in designated areas. If not closely monitored, this can lead to burn injuries from dropped cigarettes, accidental contact with skin, or nearby flammable materials.
Why Older Adults Are Especially at Risk
Elderly individuals face a heightened risk of burns for physical and cognitive reasons. As the body ages, it becomes more vulnerable to extreme temperatures and slower to heal.
Thinner skin and reduced elasticity mean a brief encounter with a hot surface can lead to deeper tissue damage. A younger person might suffer a first-degree burn from the same exposure that causes a second- or third-degree burn in an older adult.
Mobility challenges also increase vulnerability. Residents may be unable to move away from heat sources quickly or avoid hazards without assistance. This is especially dangerous during daily routines such as bathing, dressing, or eating.
Cognitive conditions like dementia add even more risk. A resident may not recognize the danger of a hot cup of tea or try touching a heater without understanding the consequences. Supervision must be tailored to these risks.
When care facilities are understaffed or poorly trained, these vulnerabilities are left unchecked, often with devastating results. Over 70% of U.S. nursing homes fail to meet the minimum staffing levels necessary to ensure safe and adequate care for residents.
When Burns Indicate Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse
Not every burn injury in a nursing home happens by accident. Some indicate larger problems with care, supervision, or even intent to harm. Watch for patterns or situations that suggest something is wrong:
- Burns during routine care. Injuries that happen while bathing or eating, such as scalds from hot water or food, can suggest careless handling or inattention during daily assistance.Failure to follow safety protocols. When staff skip essential steps like checking water temperature, monitoring smoking areas, or using safe equipment, residents face an increased risk of burns.
- Recurring or poorly documented injuries. Multiple incidents, missing incident reports, or vague explanations can indicate a pattern of neglect or an effort to avoid accountability.
- Unusual burn locations or patterns. Burns on sensitive areas or injuries that don’t match the explanation given may raise concern about possible physical abuse.
Under California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, nursing homes that violate a resident’s right to safety may face both civil and criminal penalties.
What To Do if Your Loved One Suffers a Burn Injury
If a burn has already occurred, take these critical steps right away. They can affect both your loved one’s recovery and any future legal action:
- Seek prompt medical treatment. Ensure your loved one is examined by a doctor outside of the facility, and request detailed medical records.
- Document the injury. Take photographs, write down any symptoms, and record statements from staff or other residents.
- Ask for a written incident report. Facilities must document what happened. Ask for a copy, review it carefully, and follow up with questions.
- File a complaint. Report the incident to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). This provides a formal record and may result in an investigation.
To protect your loved one’s rights, seek legal guidance as early as possible. Speaking to a knowledgeable attorney can help identify potential liability and explain the legal options available to hold the facility accountable.
Burns Are a Warning Sign—Don’t Wait
Burn injuries in long-term care facilities are often a sign that something is wrong behind the scenes. When your loved one is harmed, you have the right to ask hard questions—and get answers.
Don’t let a facility dismiss your concerns. Gharibian Law can help you hold a nursing home accountable when preventable harm occurs, and make sure your loved one’s experience is taken seriously.
If you suspect neglect and want to file an elderly burn injury lawsuit, contact us to request a free consultation.
FAQs
Whether in a long-term care facility or even at home, they may be a sign of neglect, especially when caused by unsafe conditions, lack of supervision, or deliberate actions.
Medical records, eyewitness statements, and incident reports can help you prove a burn was caused by negligence.
Typically, you have two years from the date of the injury or its discovery, though exceptions may apply. Speak with an attorney as soon as possible to learn the timeframe for your situation.
Repeated or severe safety violations can lead to license suspension or closure by state agencies like the CDPH.
Scalding injuries are caused by hot water or steam and are common during bathing or food service. Unlike other burns, they often reflect poor staff training or lack of temperature controls, making them one of the most preventable injuries in nursing homes.
