Over 35 Years of Expertise in Getting Compensation for Severe Burns
Houston Fire Department records indicate thousands of fire-related incidents each year, some causing severe burn injuries caused by negligence or carelessness. While fires are a common cause, burn injuries can also stem from sources like chemicals or electricity. When faced with such traumatic events, burn injury victims must act swiftly to preserve crucial evidence and protect their rights, even while receiving immediate medical attention for flash burns.
The aftermath of burn injuries can be physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming. From extensive medical treatments to enduring physical and psychological scars, the consequences can be life-altering. However, legal recourse exists for victims of burns caused by another’s negligence. Compensation can help alleviate the financial burdens and trauma associated with these injuries.
That’s where an experienced burn injury lawyer comes into play. At Baumgartner Law Firm, we understand the complexities of burn injury cases and have advocated for burn victims for over thirty-five years. Our track record speaks for itself—we’ve won every burn case we’ve taken on.
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s actions, don’t hesitate to contact our award-winning team. Call us today at (281) 587-1111 to speak with a compassionate and experienced Houston burn injury lawyer. Your road to recovery and justice starts here.
What are the Most Common Causes of Burn Injuries?
Fires are the most common cause of burns. Lack of smoke detectors, non-compliance with fire codes, or poor electrical wiring are examples of negligence that may lead to serious injuries or increase the risk of injury in the event of a fire.
The skin comprises the epidermis (outer layer) and dermis (inner layer). First-degree burns only damage the epidermis, second-degree burns damage the epidermis and dermis, and third-degree burns penetrate underlying tissue, muscle, and even bone.
Often, third-degree burns result in skin grafts and serious to severe scarring afterward. Treating severe fourth-degree burns can lead to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in short- and long-term medical care. Accident victims must act to protect their rights and seek medical treatment and representation.
What are the Steps Involved in Filing a Claim for a Burn Injury?
When seeking legal damages for burn injuries, several important steps are involved in filing a claim. Here is a thorough explanation of the process:
- Consultation with a burn injury lawyer: The first step is to consult a burn injury lawyer specializing in personal injury cases. They will provide guidance and assess the viability of your claim.
- Investigation of the case: Your attorney will likely investigate the facts of the case and may hire experts to consult regarding causation.
- Determining liable parties: Your attorney will investigate the incident and determine the parties who may be held responsible for your burn injuries. This can include individuals, companies, or establishments.
- Filing a lawsuit: Once the liable parties are identified, your attorney will file a formal complaint on your behalf. This legal document notifies all parties involved that you seek compensation for the injuries sustained due to their negligence or fault.
- Parties’ response to the lawsuit: The defendants named in the complaint will have a specific period to respond to the allegations. They may refute the claim or propose a settlement.
- The discovery process is a crucial phase where both parties exchange information and evidence relevant to the case. Your attorney will gather evidence such as medical records, witness testimonies, expert opinions, and any other relevant documents to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Negotiating a settlement: During the legal proceedings, your attorney will negotiate with the defendant’s legal representation to try and reach a fair settlement. They will advocate for your interests and aim to secure the maximum compensation for your burn injuries.
- Trial: The case may proceed to trial if a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation. Your attorney will present your case in court, outline the evidence, call witnesses, and argue for your right to compensation. The judge or jury will then determine the case’s outcome after carefully considering all the presented information.
- Settlement review and claim status update: At any point during the legal process, your attorney will review a settlement offer with you. They will explain the terms and help you make an informed decision.
Additionally, your attorney will keep you updated on the status and progress of your claim, ensuring you are aware of any developments. Throughout the entire process, your burn injury lawyer will work diligently to protect your rights and pursue the fairest compensation possible for your burn injuries.
How Can a Lawsuit Help Victims of Burn Injuries in Their Recovery?
Important first steps after serious burn injuries include contacting the best personal injury attorney for a burn injury in your area and letting the personal injury lawyer worry about your case and your future medical expenses while you recover.
A lawsuit can profoundly assist burn injury victims in their recovery process in several meaningful ways. Firstly, by initiating a lawsuit, individuals can seek financial compensation to cover the considerable expenses associated with their burn injuries. This means that victims do not have to bear these financial burdens themselves, alleviating some of the stress and allowing them to focus on their recovery.
Additionally, a successful lawsuit can enable victims to pursue compensation to afford high-quality care crucial to enhancing their chances of recovery. By having the means to access top-notch medical treatment, burn injury victims can optimize their healing process and increase their likelihood of achieving a full and speedy recovery.
Proving Liability for Causing the Burns
Personal injury claims and wrongful death lawsuits commonly result from burns or car accidents. To win a personal injury case, a plaintiff must prove the following:
- A duty of care between the parties;
- The defendant breached that duty of care;
- The breach caused the injury and
- The victims suffered substantial damages.
Examples include explosions, a design defect causing a fuel-fed fire, a landlord not complying with the smoke detector rules, or setting the hot water heater to unsafe levels. After a burn accident lawyer in Texas establishes a basis for liability, the focus becomes that of maximizing damages.
The top Houston personal injury attorneys at Baumgartner Law Firm have won burn cases against apartment building owners, auto manufacturers, daycare centers, and construction accident cases involving severe and serious burns. We are undefeated and have never lost a burn injury lawsuit.
What Damages Can I Get For Severe Burns?
In most personal injury cases in Texas, only compensatory damages are usually sought. Compensatory damages include economic damage like lost wages and medical expenses and non-economic damages like emotional pain and suffering.
Disfigurement is one element that is significant in the calculation of burn injury damages. Punitive damages are possible, but only when the plaintiff can prove malice or gross negligence on the defendant’s part.
If the chemical burn victim dies, the surviving family can file a wrongful death lawsuit to compensate the surviving family members for their loss due to a wrongful death claim. If the deceased burn victim stays alive for a time after the accident, a survival claim will be part of the lawsuit.
Wrongful death cases in Texas are available to spouses, children, and parents in Texas, and those lawsuits seek to provide financial compensation for the loss of a loved one. In addition, survival actions are brought to compensate a family member’s estate for the suffering and expenses before death.
If the burn victim lived for a time before dying from injuries in a car accident, the deceased’s estate would have a case. A close relative usually represents the estate for lawsuit purposes.
How Much Is My Burn Claim Worth?
Since Joan of Arc’s time, serious burns often have been associated with severe trauma and punishment. The jury verdict research reflects the seriousness of severe burn injury cases. Burn cases tend to include higher compensation when liability is clear.
Because of the trauma associated with extensive second-degree burns alone, burn injury cases generally have a much higher verdict potential with juries. Recent studies have shown that burn cases that involve extensive third-degree burns can bring multiples above the economic damages not found in other types of cases.
Minor burns, such as first-degree burns, are not valued like the more serious severe burns like second-degree burns. One study found that first-degree burn cases and second-degree burn cases often bring less than expected, while 3rd-degree burns bring substantially more.
Burn cases can run from tens of thousands of dollars for first and second degree burns and into the millions for third degree burns. Of course, liability facts and insurance coverage are a big part of how much a case is worth.
Proven Burn Injury Results
The personal injury lawyers at Baumgartner Law Firm have handled numerous severe burn injury cases, some involving wrongful death and most involving disfigurement and substantial other human damages.
Some cases of burn injury claims we have successfully litigated include apartment and house fires, fuel-fed gas fires from automobile accidents, scalding burns, chemical burns, and explosions. Of course, the damages vary from case to case, and factors such as liability and the extent of the burns are always considered. We also pursue punitive damage claims in many of our burn injury cases.
We have handled numerous multimillion-dollar burn injury cases. Call our burn injury lawyers in Texas for a free, no-obligation consultation about your burn injury case. 281-587-1111.
The Types of Cases Our Houston Burn Injury Lawyers Handle
For over three decades, we have represented folks badly burned and families who have lost a loved one. We are undefeated in our burn injury cases.
Our law firm handles most burns and has won these types of burn lawsuits:
- Apartment fires
- Fuel-fed fires from car accidents
- Chemical burns in the workplace
- Electrical burns
- Dangerous products
- Hot water scalding burns
- Explosion Accidents
How Will Our Experienced Burn Injury Attorneys Help You?
Our award-winning founding attorney has represented burn victims and their families for over 35 years. Our burn injury law firm has won numerous burn and wrongful death cases. We have won many apartment building fire cases, product liability fires, electrical burns, and many others.
At Baumgartner Law Firm, our experienced burn attorney is here to provide comprehensive assistance for your severe burn injury case.
When you choose our law firm, we will:
Work to Hold the At-fault Party Accountable
If you have been severely burned, it is crucial to establish liability. Our attorney has helped people badly burned for over 35 years. We can help you, too!
Read More: Apartment Fire Burn Injury Lawsuits in Texas
Fight to Maximize Your Compensation
Our team understands the impact burns can have on your life, and we are dedicated to helping you recover the maximum compensation for your damages. Our attorneys will meticulously evaluate your case, assessing the extent of your injuries, your medical bills and expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other relevant factors to work so you receive the compensation you deserve.
Provide Personalized Legal Service
Every burn case is unique, and we recognize that your specific circumstances require tailored legal help. Our team will take the time to understand the details of your case, listen to your concerns, and provide you with personalized guidance throughout the personal injury claim process.
Advocate for Your Rights
Proving fault and dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, as they often try to minimize the seriousness of your injuries and offer inadequate settlements. Our skilled legal team will stand by your side, advocating for your rights and negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. We will fight to ensure that your injuries are taken seriously and that you receive fair compensation.
Provide a Free Consultation
Baumgartner Law Firm offers a free consultation to discuss your case and allow you to ask any questions you may have. This consultation allows us to evaluate the merits of your case and determine the best course of action moving forward.
If We Don’t Win You Money, You Pay Us Nothing
If your Houston burn injury lawyers accept your burn injury claim, we do so on a contingency fee basis. Our fee is contingent or conditioned on you getting money in your pocket. If our burn attorneys don’t win your case, you pay us nothing.
Recent Baumgartner Law Firm Burn Injury Settlements
Our burn injury lawyers in Texas have won many burn injury lawsuits. Here are a few cases where we won enormous settlements for our clients.
House Fire
*Tenants were caught in a fire and suffered significant and serious burns. The insurance company denied liability before we filed a lawsuit.
After conducting discovery and showing landlord violations regarding smoke detectors, the insurance company paid their substantial (7-figure) policy limits.
Vehicle Fire
*After a pickup truck was rear-ended, a fire consumed the vehicle, killing the occupant.
Our experienced injury attorney sued the negligent driver and the pickup manufacturer and obtained a huge seven-figure settlement for the family.
Hot Water Heater
*Severe burns occurred when the hot water heater had been set too high.
After initially refusing to pay, the insurance company tendered the policy limits before trial (7 figures).
Hot Water Burn of Child
*Hot water was accidentally spilled on a child.
Medical bills totaled $5000. Our top-rated attorneys settled the case for a high 6-figure amount.
Chemical Burn
*Chemical was ingested, resulting in a burned esophagus.
Before trial, the defendant paid a record-setting multi-million dollar amount. The family was overjoyed!
Apartment Fire
*A house caught fire, killing the occupant.
The landlord denied responsibility. After our Texas burn injury lawyers filed suit and conducted discovery, the insurance company paid full insurance policy limits.
Smoke Detectors
*A rental house burned, and the occupant was badly burned due to failure to follow the rules for smoke detectors.
After filing a lawsuit, the insurance company tendered its substantial million-dollar policy limits.
Our law firm has handled numerous cases involving apartment fire burns and wrongful death from a fire.
Some lawsuits have centered on a landlord’s violation of their obligations regarding inspecting and maintaining smoke detectors.
Other lawsuits have involved the causes of the fire and different defendants. Our personal injury and burn injury claims lawyer has over 35 years of expertise in burn injury personal injury trial law.
Highly Rated Burn Centers Near Houston
John S. Dunn Burn Center
Cambridge St, Houston, TX 77030
(713) 704-6500
Shriners Childrens Hospital
815 Market St.
Galveston, TX 77550
(409) 770-6600
UT Physicians Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
6410 Fannin, Suite 1400
Houston, TX 77030
(832) 325-7181
What is the Recovery Process Like for Burn Injuries?
The recovery process for burn injuries varies depending on the severity of the burn. In the case of minor first- and second-degree burns that only cover a small area, it is crucial to maintain cleanliness and cover the affected area with a lightly wrapped bandage.
Pain management can be facilitated through antibiotics or prescription creams suggested by a healthcare professional. Even for minor burns, it is important to monitor symptoms closely. If a fever develops, the appearance of the burn changes, or signs of infection arise, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
If scarring or tightening begins to impact muscle or joint movement, a visit to a medical professional is also advised. Sometimes, elevation of the affected area may be recommended. Recovery time for first- and second-degree burns typically falls within a few days to weeks.
On the other hand, severe and third-degree burns require more intensive treatment and may necessitate life-saving measures.
Hospitalization is often necessary to provide the burn victim with intravenous fluids, prevent shock, infection, and dehydration, and ensure close monitoring of their condition. More robust pain management methods, including intravenous pain medication, may be required initially.
Skin grafts are a common treatment for severe burns. During this procedure, healthy skin is taken from another part of the patient’s body and transplanted onto the burn area. The donor site will subsequently heal. In cases where the burn encompasses a large portion of the body and insufficient healthy tissue for grafting, synthetic or donated skin tissue may be utilized.
Third-degree burns often require consultations with specialists and ongoing treatment and monitoring. Third-degree burns carry a higher risk of severe complications, some of which can be life-threatening. Therefore, continuous medical attention is crucial throughout the recovery process. With third-degree burns, a disfigurement claim is often a large part of any jury award, right under pain and suffering.
Contact an Experienced Burn Injury Lawyer in Houston, TX!
The victim or their families must contact a burn injury attorney as soon as possible. Fire experts must be hired to inspect the scene quickly because the fire may destroy much of the critical evidence, relevant cause, and origin of fire-related burn injuries.
Call our experienced Texas burn injury lawyers at our Houston personal injury law firm for a consultation if you have questions. Call (281) 587-1111.
Frequently Asked Questions
When to get a Houston Burn Injury Lawyer
In cases involving fires, it is vital to retain an experienced burn attorney to investigate the cause and origin of the fire and preserve evidence. Getting an attorney as soon as possible is recommended.
What is the average payout for burns?
Burn settlements vary widely based on the liability factors, the extent and severity of the burns, and available insurance coverage. We have gotten many million-dollar settlements for burn victims at Baumgartner Law Firm.
Can you sue for first-degree burns?
Yes, you can sue for first-degree burns if you can show negligence, strict liability, or a defective product that caused your injury and resulted in damages.
Can I get compensation for a burn at work?
Yes, you can get compensation for a burn at work through the Workers’ Compensation system, which allows employees to recoup the costs associated with recovery from workplace injuries.
Is a burn a traumatic injury?
Yes, a burn is considered a traumatic injury as it causes stress and pain and can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in severe cases. It should be part of a trauma assessment.
Other Types of Cases our Houston Injury Attorneys Focus on
- CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER IN HOUSTON
- TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER IN HOUSTON
- WRONGFUL DEATH LAWYER IN HOUSTON
- MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER IN HOUSTON
- DAYCARE INJURY LAWYER IN HOUSTON
- CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT LAWYER IN HOUSTON
- HOUSTON ATV ACCIDENT LAWYER
- HOUSTON BOAT ACCIDENT LAWYER
- HOUSTON BRAIN INJURY LAWYER
- HOUSTON BUS ACCIDENT LAWYER
- HOUSTON CARBON MONOXIDE LAWYER
- HOUSTON CATASTROPHIC INJURY ATTORNEY
- HOUSTON DRAM SHOP LIABILITY LAWYERS
- HOUSTON DROWNING ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
- HOUSTON DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT LAWYER
- HOUSTON PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER
- HOUSTON PRODUCT LIABILITY LAWYER
- HOUSTON PUNITIVE DAMAGES LAWYER
- LYFT ACCIDENT LAWYER IN HOUSTON
- UBER ACCIDENT LAWYER IN HOUSTON
- HOUSTON WORK INJURY LAWYER
Related Articles:
Burn Injury Verdicts and Settlements
Everything You Need to Know About Scalding Burns
What You Need to Know About Scaulding Burns
Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Houston
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Related FAQs
Do you make house calls or hospital visits?
What kind of cases do you accept?
We are very selective in the cases that we agree to handle to provide the best possible service to our clients. By limiting the number of cases that we accept, we can provide the time attention, and resources required to maximize compensation for our clients.
Accordingly, our practice is limited to cases involving substantial injury or a family who has lost a loved one. We have gained a reputation for handling 18-wheeler truck accidents, car and drunk driving crashes, daycare injury cases, and other serious injury and wrongful death matters. To learn more about the cases we cover, visit our practice areas page.
Do I have to pay money out of my pocket to hire you?
Do you handle all types of personal injury cases?
No, we are very selective in the cases that we agree to accept. We intentionally limit the number of cases that we handle and the practice areas for the cases we take to provide the best possible personal service for our clients. To learn more about the cases we cover, visit our practice areas page or you can contact us for individual consultation about your case. (281) 587-1111.
What is the best way to contact you?
We prefer to be contacted by telephone and also respond to our online consultation requests. You can call us 24/7 at (281) 587-1111. We offer Zoom consultations as well.
How successful have you been with your cases?
We are a personal injury law firm with over three decades of experience and are extremely proud of our winning track record of success. Our founder is nationally recognized as among the best personal injury lawyers in the USA. We are undefeated in truck accident cases, wrongful death cases, and daycare negligence and invite you to check out our results page for recent results in cases we won.
For the last 35 years, we have concentrated on maximizing our client’s compensation in serious injury and wrongful death cases. If you are looking for the best personal injury lawyers in Houston – Call us! (281) 587-1111.
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