Because many people have experienced a minor burn, it is easy for people to dismiss the real injuries they can cause. Many ignore the fact that people can suffer extensive injuries requiring skin grafts and other expensive and painful treatments.
When you have suffered a severe burn, you need a Bee Cave burn injury lawyer. We understand that burns can be severe, life-altering injuries with extensive medical demands. Recovery can be painful, expensive, and time-consuming. Many people will never fully recover from those injuries. A catastrophic injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
It is easy to think of burns as accidents. Only on rare occasions is someone trying to burn another. The concept of an accident ignores the negligence responsible for many burns. In reality, many severe burns result from negligent actions, and the person liable for the negligence should pay for the injuries.
Car wrecks are one frequent cause of burn injuries. When the wreck results in a fire, it is easy to get burned. The burns can be severe if someone cannot escape from the fire. Even bystanders can be injured since wrecks can lead to explosions and other complications.
Defective products are another common source of burns. Overheated motors, failed fuses, exploding batteries, and more can lead to fires and burns. Since products should not be exploding or spontaneously catching fire, these incidents are almost always the result of a defect.
Workplaces are a frequent site for burns. Some of these burns are from traditional heat sources, but many are chemical or electrical. Since workplaces often have higher amounts of chemicals or more powerful electrical lines, these accidents can cause severe injuries and even death.
Even household burns may give rise to an injury claim. The injured person may have a premise liability claim when the burn occurs on someone else’s premises. It depends on whether the property owner or manager knew or should have known that there was a burn risk.
When someone else’s negligence is responsible for a burn, an injured person has remedies. Since Texas is a modified comparative negligence state, a person may be able to recover even if they contributed to the injury. A person may recover a proportionate amount of the damages if they are not 51 percent or more responsible for the accident. A burn injury lawyer in Bee Cave can help explain how comparative negligence can impact a claim.
Medical professionals use degrees to describe the severity of a burn from first to fourth. However, the idea that some medical professionals stop labeling at third-degree complicates the rating system.
First-degree burns involve the skin’s outermost layer. It may appear red and feel painful. Most people have had these burns — most sunburns are first-degree burns. Unless the burn covers an extensive body, it probably does not require medical care. Furthermore, these burns generally do superficial damage. While that damage can be cumulative over time, it is not a medical emergency and probably will not support compensation.
Second-degree burns go to the skin’s second layer. They may have the same symptoms as a first-degree burn, blistering, and swelling. These burns require medical care and may even require skin grafts. Recovery prospects are good, especially for more minor burns.
Third-degree burns involve both layers of skin and may even extend deeper into the underlying tissue. The skin may look blackened or charred. Because these burns can reach the nerves, they may not be as painful as less severe burns. However, the pain may return over time.
Fourth-degree burns involve underlying tissue and may impact muscles, nerves, organs, and bones. Recovery usually requires surgery, skin grafts, physical therapy, and more. Depending on the location, a person may require amputations. Treatment for third and fourth-degree burns is lengthy, expensive, and usually incomplete. An injured person may suffer lifelong injuries.
Burns can be devastating injuries. Recovering from them can take time, energy, and money. It can also be painful. Complete recovery may not be possible for every burn victim. A Bee Cave burn injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you need to make recovery easier. Contact us to find out more information about your potential remedies.