Houston Burn Injury Lawyer

Why Choose Greg Baumgartner for Your Burn Injury Case

Choosing a lawyer is a personal decision. You should know who will work on your case, what experience they bring, and how they will communicate with you. You can learn more about my background before we speak.

I founded Baumgartner Law Firm in 1985. We keep our caseload selective so I can give personal attention to serious injury cases. When we discuss your burn injury, I want to understand what happened and how recovery is affecting your daily life.

A hospital bill tells only part of the story. Trouble using your hands, sleeping, working, or caring for your children likely matters more than the medical expenses. We build the claim around the evidence of those losses and the treatment your doctors expect you to need.

Burn Injury Cases We Handle in Houston

Apartment and rental property fires

A landlord or property manager may be responsible when unsafe wiring, missing smoke detectors, or other safety failures cause or worsen an injury. We examine what started the fire and what should have protected the occupants. Learn about pursuing a claim after an apartment fire.

Workplace burns and industrial explosions

Flash fires, chemical releases, and hot equipment can cause serious burns at plants, warehouses, and job sites. The legal options depend on who employed you, whether workers’ compensation applies, and whether another company caused the injury. Our guide to third-party and non-subscriber work injury claims explains these different paths.

On a job site with several contractors, we examine who controlled the equipment and the work that led to the incident. Read about legal options after a construction accident.

Chemical and electrical burns

Chemical cases may involve the substance itself, its labeling, or the way it was stored and used. Electrical cases require examining the power source, equipment, and safety procedures. Our page on injuries caused by electrical hazards covers legal issues in electrical cases.

Vehicle fires and unsafe products

A crash-related fire may involve both the driver who caused the collision and a defect that contributed to the burn. Depending on the incident, review our information on representation after a serious car crash or claims involving commercial truck collisions.

Batteries, appliances, and other products may also overheat or ignite. If the item can be stored safely, preserve it and consult an expert before anyone repairs or discards it. Learn how we approach claims involving defective products.

Scalding from hot water or steam

Scalding cases can turn on water temperature, heater settings, maintenance, or supervision. We examine who controlled the hazard and whether reasonable precautions would have prevented the injury.

What I Investigate First in a Burn Injury Case

The first question is not just who was present. It is who created the danger, who had a duty to address it, and whether that failure caused your injury. More than one party may share responsibility.

A scene may be cleaned up before a family realizes how much evidence is being lost. We consider preservation requests, access for inspections, and the experts needed to test the cause. An insurer’s denial does not end that investigation.

Compensation Should Account for the Years Ahead

A burn claim may include medical expenses, lost earnings, reduced earning capacity, pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and physical impairment. The evidence must support each claimed loss.

For future care, we look to medical opinions about likely treatment and its cost. Depending on the injury, that may include additional surgery, scar treatment, rehabilitation, or counseling. When needed, a life-care planner can organize future needs, while vocational and economic experts can assess work and income losses.

Photographs taken over time can document scarring. Treatment notes, work records, and specific accounts of daily limitations help explain effects that a photograph cannot show. Tell us if scar tightness limits movement, if pain interrupts sleep, or if you need help with tasks you once managed alone.

No reliable average settlement tells you what your case is worth. Injury severity, lasting effects, liability evidence, insurance, and other recovery sources all matter. I would rather explain what we still need to learn than give you a number that has no basis in your case.

If a loved one died, eligible family members may have a wrongful death claim, and the estate may have a separate survival claim. Our information on legal help after a fatal injury explains the distinction.

What to Do After a Serious Burn

• Get medical care and follow your treatment team’s instructions. Call 911 for an emergency.
• If you can do so safely, save scene photos, witness details, bills, and communications.
• Do not enter a damaged property or handle hazardous equipment to collect evidence.
• Ask about preserving the product, vehicle, or equipment before it is altered.
• Get legal advice before signing a release or accepting a settlement.

For medical background, Mayo Clinic explains burn symptoms and complications. Treatment decisions belong with your clinicians.

Children who need specialized care may be referred to Shriners Children’s Texas in Galveston. A treating doctor can advise whether a referral is appropriate. Our office is at 6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy in northwest Houston. If you are still hospitalized or helping a family member, call so we can discuss how to begin a consultation.

Texas Deadlines and Fault Rules

Most Texas personal injury lawsuits have a two-year filing period under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Exceptions may apply, and some claims require earlier notice. Don’t assume the same deadline applies to every claim, especially when a child or government entity is involved.

Under Texas proportionate responsibility law, your assigned fault reduces your recovery. Responsibility greater than 50 percent bars recovery. Different rules may apply to particular workplace claims, so we evaluate the claim type before applying that rule.

For workplace burns, the Texas Department of Insurance workers’ compensation guide explains employer coverage and legal protections. You may still bring a claim against a separate negligent company even when workers’ compensation applies.

What Happens After You Contact Us

We start with your account of the incident, your injuries, and any time limits or insurance communications. You do not need a complete file to call. If we accept the case, we identify the evidence to preserve, investigate potential defendants and coverage, and gather the medical proof needed to evaluate your losses.

We explain the process, settlement offers, and the facts behind our recommendation. If a fair settlement isn’t available, we may need to file suit. You should understand your options before you decide.