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Houston Burn Injury Lawyers Who Put Your Needs First

We know the law and can fight for your rights

A burn injury can turn your life upside down. In an instant, you or a loved one can sustain severe, painful burns that affect every aspect of your life. You might not be able to work. You might not be able to walk or do many of the things you may take for granted. Worst of all, your burn injury may not even be your fault.

Sometimes, someone else caused your burn injury. You may have gotten burned while working. Or you were burned while taking part in a recreational activity or while enjoying a meal in a restaurant. Whatever the circumstances of your burn injury, our Houston burn injury attorneys at Smith & Hassler want to help you.

How did your burn injury happen?

Household fires account for many burn injuries, but we have seen people in Texas severely burned during recreational activities involving gas-powered motor sports. Even household chores involving gasoline engines, such as operating a lawn mower or leaf blower, may lead to injury. Other common causes of burn injuries include:

  • Water scalding injuries – Restaurant patrons can sustain burn injuries after consuming scalding liquids. Extremely hot tap water can also cause severe burns, as well. Because a hot water malfunction may occur suddenly in a water heating system, the user may have no reason to suspect they are at risk of injury.
  • Chemical burns – These types of burns are especially common in the workplace. Irresponsible storage of materials, improper clean up after their use, or authorizing their use without proper warning of their risks may be considered a negligent act if they lead to chemical burn injuries.
  • Burns after a car accident – People involved in a wreck may sustain seat belt burns or airbag burns. While usually not severe, these burns can still cause skin irritation, eye injuries, and even permanent scarring. Road rash burns, which are sustained from contact with pavement after being thrown from a car or motorcycle, are often much more serious and can become infected.
  • Maritime burns – Even on a craft surrounded by water, fires can spread quickly and cause serious injuries. Engine room fires, electrical fires, and even explosions can cause severe burn injuries.

Regardless of where they occur, burn injuries caused by fire, heat, chemicals, electricity, friction, or liquids can be severe and lead to serious scarring and permanent disfigurement. It is not uncommon for a victim of a serious burn to suffer neuropsychological injury because of the trauma.

What type of burn injury do you have?

Burn injuries can range in degrees. These include:

  • First-degree burn – Less serious burns that may include minor pain and redness of the skin
  • Second-degree burn – Burns causing blisters and superficial destruction of the dermis
  • Third-degree burn – Burns that extend into the deeper tissue, causing destruction of both the epidermis and the dermis
  • Fourth-degree burn – Deep tissue burns that destroy the skin and sometimes damage muscle, fascia, or bone

What are the phases of a burn injury recovery?

Burn injury recovery typically progresses through different phases, each with its own set of challenges and treatment requirements. These phases are:

  • Emergent/resuscitative phase: This phase begins immediately after the burn injury and lasts until the completion of fluid resuscitation. That’s typically 24-38 hours.
  • Acute phase: This phase starts with the beginning of diuresis and ends when the burn wounds are fully closed.
  • Rehabilitation phase: This phase overlaps with the latter part of the acute phase and continues until the patient reaches their maximum level of function and independence.

What damages can I recover from a burn injury claim?

If you or a loved one sustained burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Burn injury settlements typically pay for:

  • Short- and long-term medical expenses
  • Current and future lost wages
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Assistance with daily tasks
  • Long-term rehabilitation

An experienced burn injury attorney can determine the value of your claim and negotiate for a settlement that fully compensates you for your losses.

Can I recover damages if I lost a loved one due to a fatal burn injury?

Some burn injuries can be fatal due to infection, respiratory complications, shock, and organ failure. If you lost a loved one due to a burn injury, you have the right to seek compensation through a wrongful death claim. To be eligible, you must be the spouse, child, or parent of the deceased person.

This type of claim pays for:

  • Medical expenses accrued by the deceased person.
  • The pain and suffering the deceased person endured due to their burn injury.
  • Loss of inheritance.
  • Loss of consortium.
  • Funeral and burial costs.
  • Loss of guidance and companionship.
  • Loss of future earning capacity.
  • Mental and emotional anguish endured by survivors.

What makes burn injury cases so complicated?

You might think your burn injury case would be straightforward. You sustained a serious burn at work or someplace else due to someone’s negligent or reckless behavior. The reality is many burn injury cases turn out to be very complicated from a legal standpoint. Reasons why include:

  • The person or business that caused your burn injury denies doing anything wrong.
  • The person or business responsible for your burn injury blames you.
  • The insurance company responsible for compensating you denies your burn injury claim.

Dealing with a burn injury can be a painful, complicated legal process. You have enough to worry about on your own. Allow us to help you cut through all the red tape and demand the maximum compensation you deserve for your injury.

Get the help you need after your burn injury. Contact our law firm.

If you or a loved one suffers a burn injury, it's important that you retain a knowledgeable burn injury lawyer, even if the injury appears minor. At Smith & Hassler, our premises liability attorneys can put our experience and vast resources to work for you.

It costs nothing to talk to us and there’s no obligation. We just want you to have the information you need to decide what to do next. One of our attorneys can review the details of your case and explain your legal options. We can also answer any questions you have.

And if we do represent you, there are no upfront fees or other charges. You owe us nothing unless we recover financial compensation for you.

While the statute of limitations for taking legal action is two years from the date of the incident that left you burned, it’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible. Over time, important evidence can be lost or destroyed. And the memories of witnesses can fade.

Make the right call. Contact Smith & Hassler, Attorneys at Law. Our experienced Houston burn injury lawyers can demand justice for you. Schedule your free case evaluation today.

Smith & Hassler

1225 N Loop W #525
Houston, TX 77008
Toll Free: (877) 777-1529
Local: (713) 739-1250
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10039 Bissonnet St Suite #214
Houston, TX 77036
(713) 804-6863
By appointment only

 

14200 Gulf Fwy Suite #103
Houston, TX 77034
(713) 929-2230
By appointment only

 

15201 E Freeway Service Rd
Suite 203
Channelview, TX 77530
(281) 559-6566
By appointment only

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