Houston Burn Injury Attorney

How to Hire a Burn Injury Attorney in Houston

Have you or someone you know and love recently suffered from burn injuries? Are you looking for a Houston burn injury attorney, but you have no idea where to start? Do you find yourself wondering if hiring an attorney is even worth it? 

Burn injury cases are complex cases that very few attorneys have experience in, so if you decide to seek an attorney, you will want to make sure that they have the expertise to handle your case. If you are looking for more information on hiring the best Houston burn injury attorney, you came to the right place. This brief burn injury guide will cover the common causes of burns, possible compensation, and who you can contact for further guidance. 

What Causes Most Burns?

Burns are caused by various reasons, including car accidents, work accidents, explosions, fires, or exposure to hazardous electricity or chemicals. Unfortunately, burns are one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States. In 2020 alone, 3,500 people died by fires in the United States. 

Different Types of Burns

There are many different types of burns a person can sustain. For example, someone could sustain thermal, chemical, flash, or inhalation injuries. Inhalation injuries happen when a victim breathes in the smoke from the fire when trying to escape.

Not only can this smoke damage your eyes, but it can also cause significant damage to a person’s respiratory system. If someone previously suffered from lung or heart disease, inhaling these toxic fumes can aggravate their preexisting condition. 

Inhalation injuries:

• Irritated sinuses
• Scratchy throat
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up phlegm

Smoke inhalation is one of the most causes of fire-related injuries. This type of injury is less visible, but it is just as catastrophic as any other burn. 

Thermal Burns

Thermal burns are burns caused by external heat sources that raise the temperature of your skin and tissues, causing charring or tissue cell death. These are usually caused by scalding liquids, hot metals, flames, or steam. 

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns occur when strong acids, solvents, alkalis, or detergents contact your skin. These types of burns can happen at work if you work in a manufacturing plant or a place where you have to handle hazardous materials. 

Flash Burns

Flash burns happen when someone is exposed to an explosion. The closer the person is to the explosion, the more severe their injuries will be. 

Different Types of Burn Degrees

Those who survive fire injuries can suffer life-changing injuries such as permanent physical disabilities or extensive scarring. The severity of a burn is categorized into different degrees. 

First-Degree Burns

First-degree burns are minor burns that may not need medical treatment. These types of burns happen when you touch a stove or sustain a sunburn. Although these are uncomfortable and painful, they heal on their own over time. 

Second-Degree Burns

Second-degree burns usually require medical treatment because they damage the two top layers of your skin. The symptoms of a second-degree burn are swelling, red skin, and blistering. These burns are excruciatingly painful and can result in permanent scarring and infections. 

Third-Degree Burns 

Third-degree burns are the worst degree of burns because they can reach all the way down to the fat layer of your skin. These burns don’t only destroy your skin, but they can also damage your nerves, potentially causing loss of function and numbness. 

How to Hire a Burn Injury Lawyer

Suffering severe burn injuries can be financially, emotionally, and physically devastating for victims. Hiring a burn injury lawyer in Houston can help you get the compensation you deserve.

When looking for an attorney, you won’t want to pick the first one that comes up on your Google search. Instead, you will want to ask them the right question to ensure that they are the best match for you. 

Questions to ask a fire injury attorney:

• Have you handled cases similar to mine?
• Who will be handling my case?
• Are there any attorney fees?
• What results have you achieved for previous clients?

While getting answers to these types of questions is essential, you should also look at the attorney’s demeanor. How are they when they answer your questions?

Are they accommodating? How is the staff? How does the overall office environment make you feel? 

When working with a burn injury lawyer, you may not only be working with them. They usually have paralegals or other team members who work on their behalf to make sure your case gets the attention it deserves. If other people are working on your team, be sure to get their information and see how they interact with you. 

Ask Friends or Family for Recommendations

If you are unsure of where to start looking or if you know someone who has used a personal injury attorney, ask them about their experience. What did they like or not like about working with a specific person? If you already have an attorney in mind, take a look at their reviews.

Check to see if their business is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). You can see what clients have said about working with a specific attorney on the BBB’s website. 

Different Burn Injury Cases

As mentioned earlier, there are several different ways someone could sustain fire injuries. Someone could receive a burn from a car accident or while at work. If you sustain burns from a car accident and the other party is at fault for the accident, you could receive compensation for your financial losses and injuries. 

Common examples of careless driving and negligence:

• Distracted driving
• Ignoring traffic signs and signals
• Speeding
• Following too closely

If your injuries aren’t too serious that you need to be taken by ambulance, be sure to gather as much information about the scene and the other driver as you can. This information will significantly help your attorney build their burn injury case against the at-fault driver. 

Workplace Burn Injuries

Construction workers and hospitality staff are more at risk for workplace burn injuries, but that does not mean that other occupations are exempt. In general, if you suffered an injury at work, you would have to go through a worker’s compensation claim for your lost wages and medical bills.

However, if your employer was negligent or there was a third party at fault for your injuries, you could file a personal injury claim. When you sue, you can receive additional compensation for pain and suffering, which is traditionally not available on workers’ compensation claims. If you suffered a burn injury at work, be sure to reach out to a reputable Houston burn injury attorney to have them take a look at your case. 

Premises Liability Incidents

Premises liability law covers a wide variety of property-related accidents and incidents. If you sustained an injury from boiling water or got hurt in a fire at your apartment complex, you might have a burn injury case.

For example, the property owner of the apartment complex could be held liable if they failed to provide you with fire extinguishers. They also could get into trouble if they violated a building code. 

Defective or Dangerous Products

Defective electrical appliances or other products can cause fires. In general, a manufacturer must ensure that their product does not have any defects and it is reasonably safe to use. If a defective product caused your fire injury, you might have a case against the manufacturer. 

Possible Burn Injury Compensation

It is essential to note the compensation you receive will depend on your case. Not everyone gets the same amount of money. 

Possible compensation you could recover:

• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Medical bills
• Loss of income
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of life quality

If you seek treatment before you speak with an attorney about your case, make sure to keep track of all your medical documents. Let your attorney know if you had to miss work due to the injury. They will do their best to recoup any lost wages. 

Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Many people avoid hiring a personal injury lawyer because they think it costs a lot of money to work with one. Not every attorney requires you to pay them upfront because some attorneys work on a contingency fee. This means that they do not receive any payment unless you win your case. 

They Are Objective to the Case

Another excellent reason to hire an attorney is because they are objective to this case. Attorneys don’t have the same emotions and trauma tied to the case as you do. This allows them to negotiate your case better because they only look at facts and don’t act on emotion.

The other party’s lawyer or insurance company can play on your emotions when you’re emotional and upset. They know that you want to get the case over, and they are trained to bully you into taking a low offer. Instead of letting them run you over, it is best to reach out to a reputable attorney to handle that on your behalf. 

They Understand the Legal Process

Unless you are well versed in court manners or how to navigate the personal injury claim process, you may want to hire an attorney. The personal injury claim process can be challenging and confusing. One mistake or one missed court appearance can result in a delayed or reduced payout. 

When you work with an attorney, they can work with you to gather all the right documents, help you understand liability laws, and so much more. An experienced lawyer will also be familiar with the local courts, which can go a long way in expediting your claim. 

You Get the Best Medical Care

If you have a burn injury and need to seek medical attention, your attorney can point you in the right direction. It is crucial that you get the best treatment for your injuries and the right diagnosis. This information will help your attorney decide how much compensation to ask for if you need future medical care. 

Best at Negotiating

Most personal injury claims don’t go to court. Instead, lawyers reach settlements through negotiating with the at-fault party. It is best to leave these negotiations to your lawyer to ensure that you get the best settlement offer. 

Do I Need a Burn Injury Lawyer?

You don’t technically need an attorney to go through with the personal injury claim process, but it is best to at least reach out to one for more information. Most fire injury attorneys offer free consultations where they can let you know if you have a case or not. 

If you suffered severe life-changing fire injuries, it might be best to hire a lawyer who can protect you from predatory third-party companies. The aftermath of getting burned can be distressing and painful. When you hire an attorney to take over your case, you will have more time to focus on getting yourself back on your feet. 

Get the Compensation You Deserve

Partnering with a reputable Houston burn injury attorney is the first step in the right direction after suffering a burn injury. Instead of dealing with the at-fault party on your own, it is best to leave that to the professionals while you allow your body to heal.

If you or someone you love recently sustained burn injuries, contact us now. We offer a free case evaluation to see if you have a case. We are also prepared to answer any questions or concerns you have about the burn injury case process. 

Contact Morgan Legal Group

Address:
440 Louisiana St., Suite 910, Houston, TX 77002

Email: info@morganlegalgroup.com
Tel: 713-969-5026

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