Burn injuries tend to have long lasting physical, emotional and financial impact on a victim. A victim may require extensive surgeries, prolonged spells of hospitalization and intense rehabilitation to recover from them. Catastrophic burn injuries cover large portions of the body and can cause nerve damage and loss of bodily functions.
To restore and repair the skin and bodily functions, victims often require procedures that include:
- Skin Grafting.
- Cosmetic and functional reconstructive surgeries.
- Amputations, or
- Rehabilitative care.
DEGREES OF BURN.
Burn injuries are categorized by degrees based on the severity of the injury and how deep the damage is. The higher the degree of the burn, the more serious the injury is.
FIRST DEGREE BURNS.
These burns are superficial and affect only the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). Most first degree burns heal in a few days and do not require medical attention. Examples are sunburns and burns involving hot water from taps.
SECOND DEGREE BURNS.
These burns involve damage to the epidermis as well as the dermis (the layer beneath the epidermis). In some cases, skin has to be transplanted from other areas of the body for the purpose of skin grafting. These burns take weeks or even months to heal.
THIRD DEGREE BURNS.
In this type of burn, the damage extends to the sweat glands and the underlying tissue. The epidermis and dermis are damaged or destroyed. Complex skin grafting surgeries are required to correct damages.
FOURTH DEGREE BURNS.
Fourth degree burn damage is not just the skin but the underlying muscles, tendons and ligaments too. These types of burns are very fatal.
FIFTH AND SIXTH DEGREE BURNS.
The damage in these type of burns goes all the way to the bone. Everything between the skin and the bone is destroyed. It is highly unlikely for a person to survive these types of burns.
TYPES OF BURNS.
Most common types of burns include:
ELECTRICAL BURNS.
Contact with an electric current can cause these types of burns. Electrical discharges are instrumental in causing severe burns as well as other medical issues such as heart failures and nerve damage.
THERMAL BURNS.
These burns are a result of contact with hot substances or surfaces such as hot objects, fire, hot liquids or steam.
RADIATION BURNS.
Exposure to UV rays or other radioactive rays can cause severe burn injuries. Prolonged exposure to radiation can cause skin cancer.
CHEMICAL BURNS.
Ingesting or inhaling toxic chemicals can cause external and internal burns. These burns can cause extensive damage to the internal organs.
FRICTION BURNS.
These burns involve skin rubbing against a rough surface.
COMMON CAUSES OF BURN INJURIES.
- Motor Vehicle Accidents.
- Gas explosions.
- Scalding/ Hot water.
- Electrical accidents.
- Industrial accidents.
- Gasoline spills.
- Household fires.
- Lighters and matchsticks.
- Inflammable clothing.
- Defective products.
STATUTE OF LIMITATION FOR FILING A BURN INJURY LAWSUIT IN TEXAS
There are specific time limits, restrictions and rules for filing a burn injury claim. An experienced burn injury lawyer ensures that you fully understand the Federal, State and Local laws that might apply to your case.
There are various deadlines in which a victim of a burn injury has to make sure he or she does not miss. If a victim chooses to pursue insurance compensation, the insurance company may have a deadline for submission of claims. It is important to file a claim at the earliest so that the opportunity to obtain insurance compensation is not lost.
Texas statute of Limitations for filing a burn injury lawsuit is two years after accident that caused burn injuries. In general terms, residents of Texas have two years from the date of the accident the caused the burn injury to initiate a civil lawsuit.
A plaintiff should enlist the services of an experienced burn injury lawyer. Sufficient time is necessary to collect evidence to establish the defendant’s liability. Various witnesses have to be traced and interviewed. Numerous records have to be collected and opinion of experts has to be sought.
COMPENSATION FOR A VICTIM OF BURN INJURIES IN Houston.
Our Houston burn injury lawyers seek to get maximum compensation for victims of burn injuries and help them and their families explore other options and alternative ways to seek additional compensation for their injuries and sufferings.
Our experienced Burn Injury Lawyer will assist you to pursue compensation in a few different ways. These include:
FILING AN INSURANCE CLAIM.
In most cases, burn injuries are covered by an insurance policy. Insurance policies, though provide compensation for recovery of only medical bills, lost wages and property damage.
FILING A PERSONAL INJURY LAWSUIT.
In most cases, we recommend to the victims of burn injuries to file a Personal Injury Lawsuit against the negligent party that caused the burn injuries. Our team of Houston Personal Injury Lawyers handles every aspect of the legal process on the behalf of the victims which includes investigation of the accident that caused the burn injuries, collecting and preserving evidence, interviewing witnesses, filing the complaint and representing the victim at negotiations for settlement. Our team of board certified lawyers conduct the trial if the case needs to go to trial.
Our Houston Burn Injury lawyers help victims recover:
- Medical Bills.
- Lost Wages.
- Damages suffered due to Pain and Suffering.
- Damages suffered due to Emotional Distress.
- Costs of future corrective surgeries.
WHY THE LAW OFFICE OF SHANE R. KADLEC?
Our qualified and experienced Attorneys possess in depth knowledge and experience to assist a victim and his family to navigate through complex accident laws of Texas. Our team relentlessly fights to secure maximum compensation through verdicts and settlements for victims of burn injuries in Houston and all across Texas.
Our team of experienced Houston burn injury lawyers will:
- Obtain copies of all police, fire and medical records respectively.
- Identify and interview witnesses who were present at the scene of the accident that caused burn injuries to the victim.
- Photograph, inspect and investigate the site of the mishap.
- Hire and consult experts who are needed to determine the origin and the cause of the fire.
- Help victims locate the best doctors and rehabilitation facilities.
- Help victims to understand the ramifications of their injuries, educate victims about their rehabilitation options and inform them about long term rehabilitation and care costs.
- Our team of Board Certified burn injury lawyers in Houston are experienced at collecting and protecting evidence. They know how to obtain and review medical records.
Our team of Houston burn injury lawyers know how to effectively deal with Attorneys and Insurers of the defendants who try to deny the plaintiff’s claim or reduce the claim value significantly.
CONTACT A HOUSTON BURN INJURY LAWYER.
If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries due to the carelessness, recklessness or negligence of another person, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. Call an experienced burn injury lawyer at our firm for a free case evaluation right away.
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