A burn injury can change a person’s life in a big way. They cause a lot of pain and often need a long time to heal. But the problems don’t stop there. People who get hurt this badly might also have to deal with money worries, emotional stress, and changes to how they live every day.
A good example is Gabriela Cedillo. She was working as a background driver on a movie set when a stunt went wrong, and she got very badly hurt. This accident wasn’t her fault, but it affected her life forever. Because of what happened, Gabriela was able to get a large settlement from a famous movie company. Her story shows why it’s so important for people who get hurt to know their rights and get help.
If you or someone you know has been hurt in an accident like this, it can feel scary and confusing. But learning what to do next can help you get through it. In this blog, we will talk about the basics of burn injuries, why having legal help is important, and what we can learn from Gabriela’s case.
The Shocking Burn Injury That Led to an $18.5 Million Settlement with Paramount Pictures
In 2010, during the filming of Transformers: Dark of the Moon, a movie produced by Paramount Pictures, a Background actor named Gabriela Cedillo was horribly injured in a stunt gone wrong. She wasn’t a stuntwoman. She was just a background actor, hired to drive her own car as part of a highway scene.
During filming, a heavy cable was used for a vehicle-flipping stunt, and it snapped and whipped through the air. Tragically, it broke through the windshield of Cedillo’s car and struck her in the head. She suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, underwent multiple surgeries, and was left with permanent cognitive and physical disabilities.
What followed was a long legal battle that led to Paramount Pictures agreeing to pay $18.5 million in a settlement. This wasn’t just about money — it was about holding a powerful company accountable for unsafe practices and securing long-term care for a severely injured person.
Types of Injuries in Burn and Trauma Cases like Gabriela Cedillo
Burn injury and related trauma cases often involve more than just external wounds. Gabriela’s injury was technically more related to brain trauma, but many similar cases involve burns from fire, heat, or chemicals, especially when mechanical failure is involved.
Here are some types of injuries that happen in serious cases like hers:
- Thermal Burns
Thermal burns are some of the most common and painful types of burns. They happen when the skin comes into direct contact with something hot — like fire, boiling water, hot metal, steam, or even a hot surface. These burns can vary in severity. A small first-degree burn might only cause redness and pain on the surface of the skin, but deeper second and third-degree burns can damage nerves, muscles, and even bones.
- Chemical Burns
Chemical burns happen when your skin or eyes come into contact with harsh substances like acids, alkalis, or industrial cleaning products. These types of burns are common in jobs involving chemicals such as manufacturing, labs, construction, or cleaning industries.
- Electrical Burns
Electrical burns are caused by electric currents passing through the body. They can happen when someone touches an exposed wire, gets shocked by faulty equipment, or is involved in a lightning strike or workplace accident. These burns are tricky because the outside of the skin might look fine, but the real damage is happening deep inside. Electricity can burn muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and even the heart or brain.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most serious injuries a person can suffer. It happens when the head is hit hard, like in a car crash, fall, or during a stunt gone wrong, as in Gabriela Cedillo’s case. TBIs can lead to confusion, memory loss, trouble speaking, personality changes, and physical disabilities. In severe cases, people may lose the ability to walk, talk, or care for themselves.
TBIs don’t always show immediate symptoms, sometimes problems appear days or even weeks later.
- Psychological Trauma
Burn injury and brain injuries don’t just affect the body, they take a heavy toll on the mind, too. Many people who go through these types of accidents suffer from anxiety, depression, fear, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Why Paramount Pictures Was Held Responsible
Gabriela’s legal team argued that the cable used in the stunt had been welded improperly. Even though it had failed in rehearsals, production continued. That choice led to the cable snapping during a live take, resulting in Gabriela’s injury.
Paramount Pictures was held accountable for failing to ensure a safe working environment — something every employer, film set, or corporation is legally required to do.
They initially tried to distance themselves from liability, arguing that contractors were responsible. However, evidence showed that the production team ignored warnings, skipped important safety steps, and failed to repair the defective cable properly. Ultimately, Gabriela’s attorneys proved that Paramount’s negligence directly caused the injury.
What California Law Says About Burn and Brain Injury Cases
- Right to Compensation
Under California personal injury law, if someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, you can file a claim for damages, even against a large company.
- Comparative Negligence
California follows a “pure comparative fault” rule. This means that even if you were partially responsible for the burn injury, you can still recover compensation. Your settlement is just reduced by your percentage of fault.
- Time Limit to File (Statute of Limitations)
In most cases, you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. If the injury involves a government agency, the window may be shorter, sometimes only 6 months.
- Economic vs. Non-Economic Damages
California allows compensation for:
- Economic losses: medical bills, lost income, rehabilitation, home care.
- Non-economic damages: pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
What Kinds of Compensation Can You Receive in a Burn Injury Case?
In a severe burn injury case like Gabriela Cedillo’s, compensation covers both immediate and long-term losses. Here’s what can be included:
- Medical Bills: Emergency surgery, hospitalization, follow-ups, prescriptions, and physical therapy.
- Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care: In-home nurses, wheelchairs, and cognitive therapy.
- Loss of Income: For victims who can no longer work or who had to leave their profession due to injury.
- Pain and Suffering: Emotional trauma, PTSD, and physical discomfort.
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: Includes visible scarring or cognitive impairment.
- Loss of Quality of Life: If the burn injury limits your ability to enjoy hobbies, relationships, or independence.
How a Good Personal Injury Lawyer Helps
Without strong legal representation, Gabriela Cedillo may never have secured the support she needed. Paramount Pictures is a giant, well-funded corporation, and like most big companies, they had teams of lawyers ready to fight.
Here’s how a good personal injury lawyer makes a difference:
- Builds the Case: Gathers evidence, medical records, safety reports, and expert opinions.
- Fights for Fair Compensation: Negotiates with insurance companies who try to underpay.
- Handles the Legal Process: So you can focus on healing while they take care of court filings and deadlines.
- Goes to Trial if Necessary: If a fair settlement isn’t offered, your lawyer can take your case to a jury.
Almost every personal injury attorney and burn injury law firm in California works on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay unless they win your case.
How Burn and Trauma Injuries Change Lives Forever
A serious injury doesn’t just cause pain — it changes everything. In Gabriela’s case, the injuries affected every part of her life:
- Medical Challenges
She went through multiple surgeries, lived with a portion of her skull removed, and required full-time care.
- Emotional Struggles
She experienced confusion, memory loss, hallucinations, and depression.
- Family Burden
Her family had to take over her care, leaving jobs and using public aid until the settlement helped them recover.
- Loss of Independence
She lost the ability to drive, work, live on her own, or enjoy many basic activities.
These types of long-term consequences are exactly why serious burn injury cases deserve real compensation because the suffering doesn’t end after the hospital stay.
Three Most Important Things to Do After a Burn or Injury Accident
It is necessary to do the following things after a burn injury or accident:
- Get Medical Help Immediately
Your health comes first. Even if injuries seem small, get examined. Some symptoms (like internal burns or brain injuries) take time to show.
- Preserve the Evidence
Take photos of the scene, save clothing and medical documents, and talk to witnesses. Everything helps prove what happened.
- Speak to a Lawyer before the Insurance Company
Insurance companies often offer small settlements quickly. Don’t sign anything before speaking to a lawyer. Once you accept money, you may lose your right to sue later.
Why Victims Trust Howell LLP
Howell LLP makes sure that justice is served in every case.
- Proven Results: We’ve recovered millions of dollars for injured clients, including:
- $19.1 million in a trucking case where the insurer initially refused to pay policy limits
- $1.4 million for spinal injuries from a car crash
- $1.1 million verdict exceeding insurance limits
2. Client-Centered Approach: We maintain clear communication and provide personalized guidance at every step of the case.
3. Free, No-Pressure Consultations: We’ll review your case for free and provide honest feedback, even if you decide not to hire us.
- No Fee Guarantee: You don’t pay us unless we win.
From handling the investigation to negotiating with insurance adjusters or taking your case to trial, we handle it all while you focus on recovery.
Conclusion
Justice is possible even against big brands
Gabriela Cedillo’s case is a heartbreaking example of how negligence on a film set can destroy a life. But it’s also a powerful reminder that victims have rights even when going up against Hollywood giants like Paramount Pictures. An $18.5 million settlement won’t give Gabriela her old life back. But it does give her the resources she needs to move forward, and it shows that no company is above the law. With the right legal team, like Howell LLP, you can hold the responsible party accountable and secure the compensation needed for recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions about Burn Injury Lawsuits
Let’s go through some of the most asked questions in the burn injury cases:
Q: Can I sue a big company like Paramount Pictures?
Yes. Big companies can be sued just like individuals if their negligence causes harm.
Q: How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
In California, you usually have 2 years from the date of the injury.
Q: What if I was partially at fault?
You can still recover compensation. Your damages will just be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Q: How much is my case worth?
It depends on medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and how the injury changed your life. Some cases settle for thousands; others, like Gabriela’s, go into the millions.
Q: What if the injury happened at work?
You may have a workers’ compensation case, and if a third party (like an equipment manufacturer) was at fault, you may also sue them.
Q: Do I need to go to court?
Many cases settle out of court. A good burn injury lawyer negotiates first but will be ready to take the case to trial if needed.
Were you or a loved one injured due to someone else’s carelessness at work, on the road, or in a public place?
You don’t have to fight alone. Speak with a personal injury attorney like Howell LLP today to learn about your rights. The consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless your case is won.
