Texas Burn Injury Attorneys

What Causes Burn Injuries in Texas?

Burn injuries can occur as a result of various types of fire- or chemical-based accidents, many of which stem from negligence. Understanding what specifically caused your burn injuries is key to ascertaining liability and determining whether you have a case for seeking compensation. 

Our Texas burn injury attorneys can help investigate what happened, determine who is responsible, and help you understand your rights and legal options.

Common causes of burn injuries include:

Defective products

Defective products are a frequent cause of burn injuries, often due to flaws in design, manufacturing errors, or inadequate safety warnings. For instance, an electrical appliance with substandard wiring can overheat, leading to a fire and subsequent burn injuries. 

Similarly, gas appliances such as stoves or heaters can cause burns if they are defective and leak gas, leading to explosions. Even defective batteries in everyday items such as mobile phones, laptops, or toys can overheat and explode, causing severe burns. 

When defective product manufacturers fail in their duty to ensure the safety of their products, and their negligence leads to burn injuries, victims have a right to seek compensation.

Motor vehicle accidents

Vehicular collisions can lead to fires or explosions due to ruptured fuel lines or tanks, leading to severe burns. In the event of a collision, the sheer force can cause a vehicle to catch fire, especially if the impact damages the parts of the vehicle where highly volatile substances, like gasoline and engine oil, are stored. 

Furthermore, hot surfaces or steam from a malfunctioning radiator can also cause burns. In such accidents, occupants trapped inside the vehicle are at high risk of sustaining burn injuries, especially if they cannot escape quickly. 

The severity of burns depends on the intensity of the fire, the individual's proximity to the flame, and the duration of exposure. When a wreck is caused by another driver’s negligence, the burn injury victim has the right to file a personal injury lawsuit and pursue damages.

Oil field accidents

The oil and gas industry inherently involves high-risk activities and the handling of highly flammable materials. An accident at an oil field can lead to devastating explosions or fires which can cause severe, even fatal, burn injuries. 

These incidents can occur due to a multitude of factors, including equipment failure, safety violations, inadequate training, or failure to adhere to industry standards and regulations. Workers might be exposed to open flames, hot surfaces, steam, or hazardous chemicals, all of which can cause burns. 

Moreover, drilling and extraction operations can release highly combustible gases, and any spark in such an environment can lead to a major fire or explosion.

Premises liability incidents

Property owners have a legal responsibility to maintain a safe environment, and a failure to do so can result in serious injuries, including burns. For instance, a fire can break out due to faulty wiring or heating systems, a lack of proper fire safety measures such as fire alarms and extinguishers, or flammable materials left in unsafe conditions. 

Similarly, failure to maintain safe conditions in areas where hot substances or tools are used, such as kitchens or workshops, can result in burn injuries. In apartment buildings or rental properties, the landlord may be held responsible if they failed to provide adequate fire safety measures or did not promptly address known hazards. In commercial settings, a company can be held liable for burn injuries sustained due to unsafe conditions or practices.

How Are Burn Injuries Classified?

Burn injuries are classified based on the severity and depth of the burn. Understanding the degree of a burn injury is critical in determining the appropriate treatment as well as the potential value of your claim.

Burn injuries are generally divided into three categories: 

• First-degree burns. These are the least severe type of burns affecting only the outer layer of the skin, the epidermis. Symptoms of first-degree burns include redness, minor inflammation, or swelling, and pain. They are typically caused by brief contact with hot surfaces, sunburn, or scalding liquids. Although painful, first-degree burns usually don't cause long-term damage and often heal on their own within a week to ten days.
• Second-degree burns. These burns are more severe, extending beyond the epidermis to the dermis, or the second layer of skin. Second-degree burns often appear swollen and pink or red. They usually cause blisters and can be quite painful. These burns can be caused by contact with flames, hot liquids, or chemicals. Without proper treatment, they can lead to severe infection or other complications.
• Third-degree burns. These are the most severe type of burn injuries as they penetrate the entire thickness of the skin, damaging the underlying tissue. Third-degree burns can cause permanent tissue damage and can result in charred or blackened skin, or skin that appears white and leathery. Often, they cause significant pain, but if nerve endings are destroyed, they may not hurt at all. These burns can result from prolonged contact with flames, electricity, hot objects, or certain chemicals.

In addition to these, there are also fourth-degree burns, which extend beyond all layers of the skin, affecting underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. They often result in a loss of function in the affected area and require immediate medical attention. Fourth-degree burns are usually caused by prolonged exposure to extremely high heat, such as in a building or vehicle fire, and are often life-threatening.

Long-Term Effects of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can have significant long-term effects, impacting both physical and psychological well-being. Here are some key aspects to consider:

Physical Effects

• Scarring and Disfigurement: Burns often lead to scarring, which can be both visible and functional. Severe burns may result in significant disfigurement, affecting appearance and self-esteem.
• Contractures: Scarring can cause skin to tighten and contract, restricting movement and potentially leading to deformities. Contractures can affect joints and limit mobility.
• Sensory Changes: Burn injuries can damage nerves, leading to altered sensation in the affected area. This may include numbness, tingling, or hypersensitivity.
• Pain: Chronic pain is common, even after the burn has healed. This can result from nerve damage, scar tissue, or ongoing inflammation.
• Functional Impairment: Burns can impair the function of affected body parts, particularly if they are on joints or areas crucial for daily activities. This might require physical therapy or surgical intervention.
• Infections: Burns can increase the risk of infections, which can lead to further complications and require extended medical treatment.

Psychological Effects

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The traumatic nature of severe burns can lead to PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety.
• Depression and Anxiety: The physical changes, pain, and long-term recovery process can contribute to depression and anxiety. Social isolation and changes in body image can exacerbate these feelings.
• Adjustment Disorders: Individuals may struggle to adapt to the changes in their physical appearance and functionality, leading to stress and emotional difficulties.

Social and Economic Impact

• Employment and Daily Life: Functional impairments and chronic pain can affect one's ability to work and perform daily activities, potentially leading to economic difficulties.
• Social Relationships: Disfigurement and functional limitations can affect social interactions and relationships, potentially leading to feelings of isolation.

Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation: Ongoing physical therapy may be necessary to improve mobility and strength. Burn survivors might also need occupational therapy to adapt to changes in their abilities.
• Surgical Interventions: Reconstructive surgeries may be required to improve appearance and functionality. These can be a long-term process with multiple procedures.
• Psychological Support: Counseling and support groups can be crucial in helping burn survivors cope with the emotional and psychological impact of their injuries.

Compensation for Burn Injuries in Texas

When your burn injuries are the result of another party’s negligence, you have the right to take legal action and seek compensation for damages through a personal injury lawsuit. The statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Texas is two years, meaning you will usually have two years from the date you were injured to start the legal process.

When assisting you with a personal injury claim, our Texas burn injury lawyers will fight to get you full and fair compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including:

• Medical bills
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Lost income
• Lost earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement

If you were injured at work, you may not necessarily have the ability to bring a personal injury claim. Instead, you may need to file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation benefits include coverage of medical care and a portion of your lost income but do not cover non-economic damages. 

If sustained burn injuries at work due to the actions of a third party, which is anyone other than your employer or a co-worker, you may be able to file a third-party personal injury lawsuit against the third party. These cases can be complicated, but our Texas burn injury attorneys are ready to provide tailored guidance from start to finish.

Discuss your case with our burn injury lawyers today by calling (361) 882-1612 or filling out our online contact form.