Burn Injuries

Morrow & Sheppard LLP is privileged to represent injured persons who suffer serious burn injuries as the result of another party’s wrongful conduct or negligence. Southeast Texas residents who have suffered burn injuries caused by the negligence of another person or party need to understand their legal options and should consider speaking with a reliable Houston burn injury lawyer to learn more. Failing to discuss your legal rights may result in them being jeopardized by a corporation, employer, or insurance company.

U.S. Fire Statistics

There are nearly a half million burn injuries every year, according to the American Burn Association. Nearly 50,000 people require hospitalization yearly as a result of fires.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 people die in fires every year. Most die in residential fires, but hundreds die in vehicle crash fires or in industrial explosions.

Aside from physical and emotional scars, complications from burns include:

• Blood loss;
• Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
• Infections including tetanus;
• Hypothermia – dangerously low body temperature;
• Hypovolemia – too much blood loss; and
• Shock.

Burns are classified by degree:

• First Degree – only the outer layer of skin (epidermis) is affected. It is usually red and very painful; healing may occur in days or weeks; the skin dies and peels away; the injured party may be hospitalized for pain and fluid imbalance.
• Second Degree – epidermis and dermis involved; pink or red; painful; appears wet; wound blanches (turns white) when touched; may be loss of sensation; skin grafting may be required; takes weeks, months, or longer to heal.
• Third Degree – all layers of skin are destroyed; tissue below the skin is affected; areas will appear black or white; will be dry, not wet; will not blanch; injury too severe to feel immediate pain.
• Fourth Degree – burn extends into muscle and bone.

All types of burn injuries have the potential to leave victims prone to the risk of nerve damage, shock, and infections. For this reason, it is always a good idea to seek medical treatment immediately after sustaining a burn injury. After receiving medical treatment, contact a personal injury attorney in Houston, TX. He or she will take a look at the specifics of your case and advise you on how to best move forward with an injury claim.

Treatment for burns depends on their extent and nature, but may include:

• Counseling;
• Lifecare including admission to a nursing home or other care facility;
• Medicine;
• Physical therapy;
• Rehabilitation; and
• Surgery including skin grafts.