Houston Burn Injury Attorney

burn injuries
Tommy Fibich - attorney
Contact a Burn Injury Lawyer in Houston Today

Don’t wait another moment to seek the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs now for a free consultation. Our compassionate team of burn injury attorneys is ready to listen, understand, and fight for your rights.

Tommy Fibich - attorney
Contact a Burn Injury Lawyer in Houston Today

Don’t wait another moment to seek the justice and compensation you deserve. Contact Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs now for a free consultation. Our compassionate team of burn injury attorneys is ready to listen, understand, and fight for your rights.

A significant burn injury can upend your life at once. The physical pain and emotional distress can quickly prove overwhelming, and that’s without even factoring in the associated financial burdens. If another party was responsible for the incident that caused your burn injuries, you could be entitled to seek compensation from them in a burn injury claim or lawsuit.

Filing an insurance claim or suit after a burn injury isn’t just about demanding money for your losses. It’s also about holding the responsible party accountable and gaining a measure of closure. But securing compensation and accountability from a burn injury case isn’t easy, especially when other parties and insurers frequently use every trick they can to minimize or deny claims.

This is why it’s crucial to have a seasoned Houston burn injury lawyer by your side. At Fibich, Leebron, Copeland & Briggs, we have a proven track record of success in personal injury law. With more than 100 years of combined experience, our team has recovered more than $1 billion across thousands of injury cases across Texas. And we’re ready to demand meaningful results on your behalf.

Our unwavering commitment to you sets us apart. We understand that a burn injury can have a profound impact on your life, and we genuinely care about helping you rebuild and move forward. You can trust us to listen to your story, evaluate your unique needs, and develop a legal strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.

Don’t wait to get the help you need. Contact our Houston catastrophic injury lawyer today for a free consultation session.

Types and Degrees of Burns

Burn injuries vary significantly in severity and are typically classified into three degrees of burns based on their depth, size, and location.

First-Degree Burns

The mildest type of burn injuries, these affect only the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. However, they can still lead to painful symptoms and complications, such as infections. First-degree burns often cause redness, inflammation, swelling, and pain. A familiar example of this type of burn is a sunburn.

Second-Degree Burns

These burns extend beyond the epidermis and into the dermis, the second layer of skin. Symptoms of second-degree burns include redness, swelling, and blistering. These burns can also damage sweat glands and hair follicles. While these burns sometimes heal naturally over time, medical attention could be necessary to manage pain and prevent infection.

Third-Degree Burns

These severe burns damage all layers of the skin and sometimes affect tissues beneath the skin, such as fat and muscle. After a third-degree burn, the skin might appear white or charred, and patients might experience numbness due to nerve damage. These burns always require professional medical treatment and frequently result in significant scarring.

Burns can also be categorized by their source. For instance, there are:

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Thermal burns from contact with flames, scalding liquids, steam, or hot surfaces
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Chemical burns from contact with corrosive substances such as highly acidic or base chemicals
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Electrical burns from contact with electrical sources or lightning
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Radiation burns from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun or tanning booths
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Friction burns from when the skin rubs against a rough surface, causing heat from friction
Burn Injuries

What Are the Common Causes of Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries can occur in a wide range of situations and are often the result of various types of preventable incidents. The more common contributing factors include the following:

Chemical spills Icon
Chemical spills
Hot liquid spills Icon
Hot liquid spills
Steam burns Icon
Steam burns
Contact with hot objects Icon
Contact with hot objects
Scalds from hot fluids Icon
Scalds from hot fluids
Kitchen cooking fires Icon
Kitchen cooking fires
Grill or barbecue accidents Icon
Grill or barbecue accidents
Fireworks mishaps Icon
Fireworks mishaps
Faulty or misused portable heaters Icon
Faulty or misused portable heaters
Defective smoke detectors Icon
Defective smoke detectors
Tanning bed accidents Icon
Tanning bed accidents
Negligent property maintenance Icon
Negligent property maintenance
Pipeline accidents Icon
Pipeline accidents
Radiator burns Icon
Radiator burns
Arson Icon
Arson
Lightning strikes Icon
Lightning strikes
Faulty electrical wiring Icon
Faulty electrical wiring

What Are the Medical Costs for Burn Victims?

Burn injuries often lead to a wide range of medical costs, given the comprehensive care these injuries typically require for optimal recovery. The specific expenses can vary greatly depending on the severity and type of burn, but many burn injury victims incur costs for:

<strong>Emergency care,</strong> such as emergency room visits and ambulance rides Icon
Emergency care, such as emergency room visits and ambulance rides
<strong>Inpatient hospital stays,</strong> doctor’s visits, and diagnostic tests Icon
Inpatient hospital stays, doctor’s visits, and diagnostic tests
<strong>Surgical procedures</strong> like skin grafts, reconstructive surgeries, or amputations Icon
Surgical procedures like skin grafts, reconstructive surgeries, or amputations
<strong>Medications </strong>like pain relievers, antibiotics, and creams or ointments for wound care Icon
Medications like pain relievers, antibiotics, and creams or ointments for wound care
<strong>Physical and occupational therapy</strong> <strong>services</strong> and psychological counseling Icon
Physical and occupational therapy services and psychological counseling
<strong>Medical equipment</strong> like wheelchairs, prosthetics, special beds, or compression garments Icon
Medical equipment like wheelchairs, prosthetics, special beds, or compression garments
<strong>Long-term home health services,</strong> residential care, or ongoing outpatient treatments Icon
Long-term home health services, residential care, or ongoing outpatient treatments
<strong>Future medical needs,</strong> such as revision surgeries, ongoing therapies, and follow-up care Icon
Future medical needs, such as revision surgeries, ongoing therapies, and follow-up care

Who Is Liable for a Burn Injury in Texas?

Identifying the liable parties in a Texas burn injury case can be a complicated process. It requires a thorough investigation of the incident and familiarity with the various laws and regulations that could apply to the circumstances. Some potentially liable parties include the following:

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Employers – If an eligible employee suffers burn injuries on the job, they could claim workers’ compensation benefits from their employer.
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Manufacturers – Manufacturers of defective products or equipment could also be responsible. For instance, if an explosion or fire was caused by a defective gas detector or safety valve, the manufacturer of the faulty equipment could be liable.
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Property Owners – If a burn injury occurred due to a property owner’s failure to keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors, they could be responsible under premises liability law.
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Contractors or Subcontractors – Some burn injury accidents can be traced back to the negligence of contractors or subcontractors. These parties could be liable if they failed to follow safety guidelines or made errors that contributed to the incident.
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Gas or Utility Companies – These companies could be liable if they fail to maintain their infrastructure properly, leading to leaks, fires, or explosions. They might also be responsible if they fail to respond appropriately to reports of suspected gas leaks or other hazards.
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Automobile Manufacturers – In cases of car accidents resulting in burns, car manufacturers could be liable if a design defect or faulty component contributed to a fire or explosion.

Emotional Stress and Anguish After a Burn Injury

Burn injuries can be life-altering. Victims often face a long and painful recovery, and they may have permanent injuries and scarring. For these reasons and more, those coping with a severe burn may experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

In addition to the cost of your medical treatment, our burn injury attorneys can help you pursue monetary compensation for emotional stress, mental anguish, and physical pain and suffering after a burn injury. You can help prove your right to this compensation by keeping a daily journal detailing your physical, mental, and emotional state.

In many cases, as a burn injury survivor, you could be entitled to compensation if the incident that harmed you happened due to someone else’s wrongdoing. The purpose of this compensation is to provide the resources necessary to restore your life to the way it was before the injury as much as possible.

Can I Get Compensation for My Burn Injury?

With a successful burn injury claim, you could recover money for various personal and financial losses, such as:

  • Immediate medical care expenses related to your burn injuries
  • Anticipated costs of medical care you’ll likely need in the future
  • Lost income from missed work or reduced ability to earn a living
  • The physical pain and emotional distress you endure due to your injuries
  • The profound effects of long-term or permanent disability or disfigurement
  • Property damage if your home, car, or other possessions were damaged or destroyed

How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Texas?

You have two years to file most burn injury lawsuits in Texas. This means you have exactly two years from the date of your burn injury to sue a responsible party in civil court.

However, it’s important to note that the two-year limit does not apply in all circumstances. In some cases, the deadline could be shorter. For instance, if a government entity is liable, the time limit could be as short as a few months. Additionally, this two-year limit pertains only to lawsuits, not insurance claims. These claims are often subject to much shorter time limits, sometimes as brief as a few days or weeks.

Missing any applicable deadlines could have significant repercussions for your legal rights. If you fail to file a lawsuit or insurance claim within the appropriate time frame, you risk harming your case and jeopardizing your right to secure meaningful compensation for your burn injury.

The safest and most effective way to estimate your specific case timeline is to seek advice from an experienced burn injury lawyer in Houston. Your attorney can identify essential deadlines on your behalf, prepare your case accurately and efficiently, and put you in the best position to secure the money you are owed.

What is the Process of Filing a Burn Injury Claim in Houston, TX?

There are several steps involved in pursuing compensation for a personal injury in Houston, TX. A burn injury attorney with our firm can help you navigate every stage:

  • Investigation—When you hire our team, we will investigate your burn injury accident and build your claim. The evidence we collect may include photographs and video, police reports, fire reports, and eyewitness and expert testimony. We will use this evidence to establish that a negligent party is financially liable for your burn injuries.
  • Filing a Claim—If pursuing an insurance settlement is an option for your case, we can prepare and file your claim paperwork.
  • Negotiations—We can handle case-related communications and aggressively negotiate for the maximum compensation. Allowing us to be your voice protects you from bad-faith insurance tactics and pressure to accept less money than you deserve.
  • Legal Action—We have successfully tried many cases before judges and juries. If necessary, we will file a lawsuit and fight for you in civil court.

What a Houston Burn Injury Attorney Can Do for Your Case

Working with a Houston catastrophic injury lawyer is the best way to protect your legal rights and ensure your case gets the attention it deserves. A trusted burn injury lawyer can help you by:

  • Evaluating your burn injury case to analyze its merits and estimate its value
  • Identifying parties that could be liable for your burn injuries
  • Calculating the total amount of the losses you suffered due to your burn injuries
  • Identifying possible sources of compensation for your burn injury claim
  • Gathering evidence such as photographs, videos, and physical items
  • Compiling medical records and other documents to substantiate your claim
  • Interviewing eyewitnesses who can testify to support your case
  • Drafting and submitting necessary legal documents in a timely manner
  • Negotiating with insurance companies to secure a fair settlement for your injuries
  • Arguing your case in court if a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation
  • Cross-examining witnesses and rebutting arguments presented by the defense
  • Handling post-settlement procedures, such as ensuring prompt payment