Under California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, burn injury victims have two years to file a lawsuit from the date the accident occurred. Unless your claim is against a California state or local government employee or agency, then you must file a burn injury claim within six months.
It is usually in your best interests to begin the claims process soon after your burn injury. However, if you can, an attorney will advise you to wait on sending a demand letter to the defendant or their insurer until you reach “maximum medical improvement” (MMI) or understand the total value of your case. If your burn is severe, it is not wise to settle your claim until you fully recover and know the long-term financial and physical implications of your injury.