By Michael Shemtoub, trial attorney, Beverly Law. Updated November 2026.
Burned because of someone else?
Leave your name and phone. We call back today, in English or Spanish. The consultation is free and confidential.
Free consultation · English y Español · No fees or costs unless we win
Why a graft changes the claim
Grafts are used for burns that will not close well on their own. Deep partial-thickness burns take more than three weeks to heal and scar, and full-thickness burns call for automatic burn center referral (American Family Physician, 2020). By contrast, burns that heal in under 14 days generally leave no scar (MSKTC). A graft is medical proof that the burn crossed that line. Our FAQ on burn degrees from hot coffee explains the depths.
Types of skin grafts
| Graft | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Split-thickness | the upper layer and part of the second layer of skin | The most common type; covers large burned areas (MedlinePlus, Cleveland Clinic) |
| Full-thickness | The entire thickness of donor skin | Deeper tissue loss and visible areas such as the face; needs more healing time |
| Composite | Skin with cartilage or other tissue | Nose, ears, fingertips |
| Autograft | The patient’s own skin | The usual source |
| Allograft | Donor skin from a cadaver | Temporary cover when the patient lacks enough healthy skin |
| Xenograft | Animal skin, most often pig | Temporary cover |
Cleveland Clinic describes allografts and xenografts as temporary coverings, so the medical history matters as much as the first operation.
Healing timeline from hospital sources
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Graft begins forming blood vessels and connecting | Within a few days (Cleveland Clinic) |
| Donor site dressing | About 3 to 5 days (MedlinePlus) |
| Donor site heals | Normally 1 to 2 weeks (Cleveland Clinic) |
| Graft dressing | 1 to 2 weeks (MedlinePlus) |
| Protect graft from injury; avoid stretching or strenuous exercise | 3 to 4 weeks (MedlinePlus, Cleveland Clinic) |
| Hospital stay | Up to about two weeks, depending on graft type (Cleveland Clinic) |
| Scarring peaks | Around 6 months (MSKTC) |
| Scar may improve or mature | 12 to 18 months (MSKTC) |
The scar at month 12 can look very different from the scar at month 2, which is why we wait for the treating surgeon’s view before putting a number on the case.
Free burn injury case review
Tell us what happened. We will tell you plainly whether there is a case and what to do next. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Complications that add to the claim
MedlinePlus lists bleeding, infection, loss of the graft, scarring, skin discoloration, an uneven surface and changed sensation as risks of graft surgery, and notes the donor site can heal poorly too. Cleveland Clinic adds contracture, where grafted skin tightens and pulls at its edges, and says a graft that does not take may need to be redone. MSKTC advises stretching at least five to six times a day to fight contractures and lists laser and surgical treatment as options when scarring limits activity. Each of these, if it happens, is a future cost that belongs in the claim.
What drives the value
The main factors are the percentage of body surface grafted, the location (hands, face, joints and genitals affect function and appearance most), the number of surgeries, graft failure or contracture, the cost of future revisions, laser work, pressure garments and therapy, lost earning ability, and the emotional harm of visible scarring. In reported cases handled by other firms, both Liebeck ($160,000 compensatory after a fault reduction, plus punitive damages later reduced) and Garcia ($50 million at trial; Starbucks said it would appeal, but the case settled in June 2025 on terms not made public) involved third-degree burns with grafts (Public Citizen, Tort Museum, CBS Los Angeles, ABC7, LASC case summary). The gap between those two outcomes shows why no average means much. See burn injury settlement amounts.
What this means for your case
Keep every operative report, photo and therapy note, and follow the stretching and garment plan, because the record of your recovery is the evidence. Do not settle while the surgeon still expects revisions. Grafting can come up in any deep burn, from flame burns in apartment fires to scalds. Our burn injury lawyer page covers who can be held responsible, and our burn centers list shows where to get care.
Talk to a burn injury lawyer
Beverly Law represents burn victims in California and Washington. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Call (310) 552-6959. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Common questions
Is a burn with a skin graft automatically a big case?
No. It is a serious injury, but value still depends on liability, fault, size and location.
What if the graft fails?
A failed graft may need to be redone, which adds surgery and recovery time to the claim.
How long should I wait before settling a graft case?
Until your surgeon can say what revisions you will need. Scars may take 12 to 18 months to mature.
Does the donor site count?
Yes. It is a second wound that can scar or heal poorly.
Ask a question
Not ready to call? Write your question and someone on our team will answer. No cost, no commitment.
Burn injury lawyer — Beverly Law
If you or your child was burned because of someone else in California, Texas and Washington, talk to a burn injury attorney. Free, confidential, English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Related pages
Burn Injury Lawyer · Burn injury questions
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic, Skin Graft (types incl. composite, autograft, allograft, xenograft; graft take; donor site 1-2 weeks; (my.clevelandclinic.org)
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), Skin graft (split- vs full-thickness; dressings 3-5 days donor, 1-2 wee (medlineplus.gov)
- MSKTC (NIDILRR Burn Model System), Scar Management After Burn Injury (burns healing in under 14 days generally no scarri (msktc.org)
- American Family Physician 2020;101(8):463-470 (deep partial-thickness burns heal in more than three weeks with scarring; (aafp.org)
- Public Citizen (Liebeck: debridement and skin grafts, 8 days in hospital) (citizen.org)
- CBS Los Angeles, March 15, 2025 (Garcia: third-degree burns, grafts) (cbsnews.com)
- ABC7 Los Angeles, March 15, 2025 (Garcia $50 million verdict; Starbucks plans to appeal) (abc7.com)
- American Museum of Tort Law (Liebeck damages) (tortmuseum.org)
- Los Angeles Superior Court, case summary for Garcia v. Starbucks, No. 20STCV10214 (post-trial motions denied June 4, 202 (cap.lacourt.ca.gov)
Important: This page is general information, not legal or medical advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: November 6, 2026.