South Carolina Wants to Increase Penalties for Those Who Recklessly Start Fires

Although the recent wildfires in South Carolina were extremely destructive, they could have been much worse. In the aftermath of this natural disaster, state authorities are trying to reduce the chances of similar incidents in the future. Investigators have traced one of these fires to a negligent individual who lit a fire too close to the treeline, and this individual is now facing criminal charges. However, some say that penalties for this type of negligence should be more severe. What does this mean for injured victims of fires? Could it make burn injury lawsuits in South Carolina easier?

Those Who Start Fires May Face More Serious Jail Sentences and Fines 

In April of 2025, lawmakers in South Carolina announced a new bill that would enforce stricter penalties for those who negligently start fires. According to the South Carolina Daily Gazette, these increased consequences would apply to “people who carelessly put lives and property at risk.”

The bill has 26 co-sponsors, and its authors believe that it might “make people think twice” before starting a fire in a negligent manner. One of its sponsors compared this reckless act to driving drunk.

If the bill passes, anyone convicted of negligently starting a fire could spend up to one year in jail – even for a first offense. This is a significant increase from the current penalty, which is a maximum 30-day jail sentence. The fine would also increase from a maximum of $200 to $5,000. Repeat offenders could face up to three years behind bars and a fine of up to $25,000.

While these new penalties might seem excessive to some, 30 days in jail is a rather light penalty for endangering millions of people. The current maximum fine of $200 is less than a slap on the wrist. These are the penalties that a woman in South Carolina is facing after she was arrested for starting the recent blaze that spread over almost 14,000 acres. Her neighbors say that they saw her start a fire too close to the treeline, but her attorney says she is innocent.

Can You Sue Someone for Burn Injuries in South Carolina? 

If you can establish that someone else caused your burn injuries through negligence or recklessness, you may be able to hold them accountable in civil court. A personal injury lawsuit can help you cover medical expenses, including reconstructive surgery for disfiguring burns. You could also receive compensation for missed earnings and non-economic damages.

Can a Burn Injury Lawyer in South Carolina Help Me? 

If you believe that your burn injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be correct. If this is true, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the person responsible and recover compensation. This might be a property owner, landlord, private company, or government entity. A burn injury lawyer in South Carolina could help. To learn more about your legal options, consider contacting Mickelsen & Dalton, LLC today.

Sources:

 scdailygazette.com/2025/04/10/sc-wildfires-prompt-bill-increasing-penalties-on-people-that-cause-them/

scdailygazette.com/2025/03/28/no-injuries-or-damage-to-structures-as-sc-wildfires-expand-past-10000-acres/