A calculator can be useful if it helps you organize facts such as:
- burn type and approximate depth (if known)
- where the burn occurred on the body
- treatment received so far (ER care, follow-ups, prescriptions)
- time missed from work or reduced duties
- visible scarring and functional limitations
But many tools can’t reliably account for what matters most in real negotiations:
- whether your burn pattern matches the incident you reported
- whether complications developed later (infection, nerve pain, contractures)
- whether you’ll need additional procedures for scar management or mobility
- how California insurers evaluate credibility when medical documentation and timelines don’t line up
In other words: use a calculator to build questions and a checklist—not to decide you’re “done” or accept an early offer.


