Burns that occur in operating rooms are uncommon but can result from a variety of causes, such as incorrect placement of electrocautery plates, prolonged exposure to alcoholic povidone-iodine used to prepare for surgery, or improper use of heating blankets. In many cases, the exact cause of a burn is not immediately clear, which means a medical expert must be consulted to determine its origin. Once a burn is identified, it is important that it is observed by the medical team, recorded in the patient’s medical file, and photographed to monitor its development over time. To fully understand the circumstances, the complete medical file should be reviewed, including the operating room checklist, surgical report, and service-linking forms. Determining the cause of a burn often requires a medical expertise, which can be conducted voluntarily before a CCI (Commission for Mediation and Compensation of Medical Accidents, Iatrogenic Affections, and Nosocomial Infections) or ordered by a court. This expertise helps identify whether the burn resulted from a failure and how it occurred. It is important to note that the occurrence of a burn does not automatically mean there was a fault, and even if a fault is found, determining who is responsible can be complex. Liability may fall on the surgeon or the clinic, depending on the specific circumstances and the actions of the individuals involved. Legal precedents in this area are not always consistent. In a judgment dated March 31, 2025, the Paris Judicial Court ruled that a clinic was solely responsible for a burn when the medical expertise could not determine whether it resulted from improper placement of the electrocautery plate or a malfunction of the equipment. This is because the clinic could be held liable in either scenario, unlike the surgeon, whose liability would only apply if the fault was directly linked to his actions. In some cases, a burn may be considered a therapeutic risk if no fault is found on the part of the surgeon or the clinic, and the burn occurred due to inherent risks associated with the use of electricity in surgery. Even if no fault is found, compensation for the victim may still be possible if the conditions for compensation by the ONIAM (National Office for Compensation of Medical Accidents, Iatrogenic Affections, and Nosocomial Infections) are met. The exact origin of a burn and the associated responsibilities are often only clear after a medical expertise, which is why it is crucial to identify all potentially involved parties from the start of the procedure. This ensures that all relevant information is documented and available for review if needed.