BURN INJURY ATTORNEY IN HOUSTON, TEXAS

While not considered a common injury, victims who suffer burn injuries are often left with physical and psychological scars that leave them with overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and life-changing pain and suffering. In fact, data from the Federal Emergency Management Authority (FEMA) found that there were 16,600 injuries from fire and burns in 2019 alone. When someone else causes the burn injury because of their negligence— either at home or at work—the victim may be able to seek compensation for these and other losses.

In the event that you’ve suffered a burn injury as the result of an individual’s or company’s negligence, you need a personal injury attorney who will fight for you. My Houston, Texas law firm, Jose Orihuela, Attorney at Law, proudly stands up for clients throughout the surrounding towns of Webster, Pasadena, South Houston, Clear Lake, Friendswood, League City, Alvin, Dickinson, Bacliff, and the rest of Texas. I’m here to help you with your burn injury case.

UNDERSTANDING BURN INJURIES

Burn injuries are very common in Texas, happening far more easily, and more often than many people think. 

TYPES OF BURN INJURIES

Given the nature of burn injuries and how often they occur, my firm has handled cases involving several different types of burn injuries, including:

• Thermal burns 

• Radiation burns 

• Chemical burns 

• Electrical burns 

DEGREE OF BURNS

While burns lead to a variety of injuries, the severity of a burn is classified based on the damage it does to the skin. Burns may be classified as full-thickness or partial thickness, but are more commonly divided into degrees:

• First-Degree Burns - These burns only damage the epidermis (the outer layer of skin). The site of the injury site will be red, dry, and painful, though there will be no blistering. 

• Second-Degree Burns - These burns affect both the epidermis and the second layer of skin (the dermis). The site of the injury will be red, swollen, painful, and blistered.

• Third-Degree Burns -  This type of burn destroys the epidermis and dermis layers entirely. The site of the injury will be black, brown, white, or yellow. The burn may not even hurt because the nerve endings have been damaged.

• Fourth-Degree Burns - This is the most serious type of burn, occurring when bones, muscles, and tendons have suffered damage.

SITUATIONS IN WHICH BURN INJURIES OCCUR

One of the reasons burn injuries are so common is because they can occur almost anywhere a person has close contact with a flammable or heated object. As a burn injury attorney, I can assist you if you have suffered a burn injury in the following situations:

• Burns in the workplace

• Burns from a defective or malfunctioning product

• Burns at a restaurant, hotel, or other business

• Fire at a site with faulty or inadequate fire alarms

• Poor wiring

RECOVERING FROM A BURN INJURY

Not surprisingly, the road to recovery from a burn injury is long and difficult. Burns are one of the most expensive and traumatic injuries to treat. Even simple first-degree burns can become infected and require further medical treatment, while third or fourth-degree burns can take years of treatment in order to heal, and usually have a significant impact on the victim’s quality of life and ability to work. Extensive burns can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars for treatment, follow-ups, specialists, and rehabilitation.

PERSONAL INJURY CASES IN TEXAS

If you have suffered a burn injury due to negligence, you have the right to sue under Texas law. The resulting personal injury claim can be brought against any of the following:

• Individuals who started the fire intentionally

• Individuals who started the fire accidentally

• A business or entity that manufactured or sold a defective product that resulted in a fire or injury

If successful, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages. This could include damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, and more.