Whether they result from a fire, electrocution, or another type of accident, a burn injury can leave its victim with life-altering, sometimes catastrophic injuries.
In some cases, a burn injury results from the negligent actions of another party, such as an employer, a property owner, a landlord, or even someone on the road who causes an accident. Regardless of how it happened, a burn injury can leave you with significant damage. And if it resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation.
The Fort Worth burn injury lawyers at Francis Injury have a proven track record of handling burn injury cases. Contact us for a free case evaluation. We will work to identify the at fault party and secure maximum compensation for your losses.
What Are Some Common Types of Burn Injuries?
Common types of burn injuries can run the gamut, including chemical burns, electrical burns or electrocutions, thermal burns caused by scalding, flame burns caused by direct exposure to a flame, friction burns, and radiation burns. Generally, burn injuries are classified by their severity and seriousness:
- First-degree burns are the least serious, typically affecting only the outside layer of skin and causing no long-term damage
- Second-degree burns extend into the deeper layer of skin and may cause blisters and swelling in addition to redness and pain. In more serious cases, they can cause permanent scarring
- Third-degree burns destroy the outer layer of skin — also called the epidermis — and the entire layer beneath, called the dermis.
- Fourth-degree burns are the most serious. They completely destroy the skin and cause damage to the muscles, bones, tendons, and nerves. They often cause life-altering injuries, and in the most extreme cases may even cause death.
A burn injury can result in lasting medical issues, future medical expenses, and related repercussions. After all, the skin is our largest organ, and while it is generally very resilient, a burn injury can cause damage or even death to skin cells and tissue. Depending on the severity of the burn, burn injury victims may need to treat various issues involving not only the skin but also bones, nerves, muscles, and tissue. Some severe cases require surgery and skin grafts.
In addition to the medical treatment you may require after a burn injury, your life may be affected in various other ways. You may be unable to return to work while you heal, and in some cases may permanently be unable to work at all.
Serious burn injuries often leave their victims with permanent scarring or disfigurement. Long-term, chronic pain is common, as are mental anguish, emotional distress, and post-traumatic stress resulting from the burn. In many cases, quality of life can be greatly impacted after a burn injury, not only for the victim but also for their loved ones.
What Causes Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries can be caused by many different types of accidents, including:
- Car accidents
- Trucking accidents
- Work injuries
- Construction accidents
- Injuries on the property of another person or business
- Electrocutions
- Chemical incidents
- Recreational accidents
- Defective or dangerous conditions
- Defective products
How Can You Recover Compensation for Your Burn Injuries?
In order to recover compensation for your severe burn injuries, you will likely need to bring a claim for negligence. That means you will need to prove both liability and damages: that your burn injuries resulted from the negligent actions of someone else, and that you have suffered injuries and financial losses as a result.
For example, if you suffered a burn injury because of defective wiring in your apartment building, you will need to prove that your landlord or property management company acted negligently in failing to fix the wiring at issue. Or, if your burn resulted from a trucking accident caused by a negligent truck driver, you will need to prove that the driver should be held liable for your injuries.
Establishing liability in a Fort Worth burn injury claim can be difficult and arduous. It requires proof of breach of a duty of reasonable care—meaning, that the party who is responsible for your burn injuries failed to act in accordance with their duty to you. In addition, you will likely be dealing with insurance companies as you go through the process of fighting your negligence claim.
Negotiating with insurance companies — who have significant resources on their side — can be daunting and difficult, especially if you are trying to go it alone. A knowledgeable and experienced personal injury lawyer can be the key to making sure you have the legal advice and representation you need to negotiate with the insurance companies toward a favorable resolution—and, if necessary, to put together a strong case in court.
Your personal injury attorneys will work to establish various types of damages in your burn injury case. For example, you may have various medical expenses, such as medical bills from doctor and specialist visits, hospital stays, prescription medications, and nursing or aftercare. You may also have lost income if you are unable to work.
Moreover, many burn victims experience several types of general damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress and mental anguish, the inability to engage in activities they used to enjoy, and a general decline in their quality of life.
You don’t have to face these challenges alone. If you suffered burn injuries resulting from the negligence of another, an experienced personal injury attorney can provide peace of mind.
Why Should You Trust Francis Injury with Your Fort Worth Burn Injury Claim?
Because burn injuries can be serious and sometimes lead to significant financial losses, burn injury claims can be very complicated. They may require extensive negotiations with the other parties and insurance companies, and they often bring up tough questions about liability and damages. Having a Fort Worth burn injury lawyer by your side can make a big difference in recovering compensation.
Our experienced Fort Worth personal injury lawyers will inform you of your legal rights and options, and we will work with you to preserve important evidence, build your case, and strategize about the next steps to take. Our goal is to focus on your case so that you can focus on your recovery and moving forward after your burn injury. Reach out to us today for a free, no-obligation initial legal consultation online or by calling 817-329-9001. With our office in Southlake, we serve communities throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Tarrant County and Dallas County, and other Texas communities.
Frequently Asked Question
1. What is my burn injury claim worth in Texas?
The value of a burn injury claim depends on the severity of the burn, the medical treatment required, how long you’re unable to work, and whether you suffer permanent scarring or disability. Compensation may include medical bills, future care, lost income, pain and suffering, disfigurement, and long-term trauma. Severe burns, especially second-, third-, or fourth-degree burns, generally result in much higher settlements. Speaking with a Fort Worth burn injury lawyer is the best way to get an accurate estimate based on your situation.
2. Who can be held liable for a burn injury?
Liability depends on how and where the burn occurred. Responsible parties may include a negligent driver, a landlord who ignored hazardous conditions, an employer who failed to provide a safe workplace, a product manufacturer, or a property owner who allowed unsafe conditions. Any person or company whose negligence contributed to the burn may be held financially accountable.
3. What types of compensation can burn victims recover?
Burn injury victims may recover compensation for medical bills, surgeries, skin grafts, hospital stays, rehabilitation, lost income, reduced earning ability, permanent scarring, emotional distress, PTSD, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. Severe burns often involve lifelong medical needs, which increases the overall value of the claim.
4. How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in Texas?
In Texas, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a burn injury lawsuit. If the case involves a government entity, your deadline may be even shorter. Because burn injury cases require investigation, expert review, and evidence preservation, it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible.
5. Do I need a lawyer for a burn injury claim?
Yes. Burn injury claims are complex because they often involve multiple liable parties, extensive medical treatment, and aggressive insurance companies. A burn injury lawyer can gather evidence, hire medical experts, calculate your full losses, and negotiate for a fair settlement. Victims represented by attorneys typically recover significantly more compensation than those who handle claims alone.
6. How do lawyers prove negligence in a burn injury case?
To prove negligence, your attorney must show that the responsible party failed to act with reasonable care and that their actions directly caused your burn injuries. This often involves reviewing accident reports, photos, safety records, medical evidence, witness statements, and in some cases using engineering or fire-investigation experts to demonstrate what went wrong.
7. What should I do immediately after suffering a burn injury?
After any burn injury, seek medical treatment right away. Then document the scene, take photos of your injuries, keep all medical records, report the incident to the appropriate party (police, employer, landlord, or property owner), and avoid speaking to insurance companies before consulting a burn injury lawyer. Early legal help ensures your rights and evidence are protected.
