Burn injuries are among the most debilitating and painful injuries that people suffer in accidents. Burns may result from heat, radiation, radioactivity, electricity or chemicals. Burns are injuries to the skin or other organic tissues of the body.
Severe burns can cause significant physical, financial, and emotional harm that disrupts every area of your life. If your injuries resulted from someone else’s carelessness, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what you can do. Thankfully, you don’t have to handle the consequences of burn injuries alone.
An experienced Dallas burn injury lawyer at Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. can help you pursue compensation for your losses while you focus on medical treatment and rehabilitation. Contact our office right away (214) 999-9999 for a free consultation to learn more about how we can support you.
Why Choose Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. for Your Dallas Burn Injury Case?
The attorney you choose to represent you after a burn injury accident can heavily influence your experience with the legal process. You need a severe burn accident attorney with extensive legal knowledge and a track record you can trust, but you also need to feel comfortable working with them throughout your recovery.
Since 1971, Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. has fought for the rights of the injured in Dallas and the surrounding Texas communities. Our attorneys and support staff – who have worked with us for an average of 25 years – take pride in being approachable and communicative with our clients. We realize you’re going through one of the hardest experiences of your life, and we want you to take comfort in knowing that our team is in your corner.
When you trust Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C. with your burn injury case, you can rely on our team to do everything possible to provide the attention and care you deserve. We’re here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve after a life-altering burn injury accident, and we’re never afraid to take a case to trial so our clients can demand a full financial recovery.
As one satisfied client wrote of their experience with us:
“My experience with Kraft & Associates, P.C., was invaluable. They made sure my medical needs were addressed immediately and then went on to fight for what was commensurate with the tangible and intangible loss incurred by such a devastating event. I could have died in my accident and Kraft & Associates, P.C., really understood that and what it meant to me. I hope I never need them again but will refer them to family and friends who do.” – Kelley A.
What to Do Immediately After a Severe Burn
After a severe burn, your health must always come first. If you’re seriously injured, rely on emergency responders, medical professionals, or someone you trust to handle what you cannot.
You can then take the following steps when your condition allows you to do so safely:
- Get emergency medical care. Call 911 or have someone call for you. Serious burns may require immediate treatment to control pain, prevent infection, and address damage below the skin.
- Follow medical instructions carefully. Attend follow-up appointments and listen to your doctor’s recommendations for wound care, medications, rehabilitation, and activity.
- Document what happened when possible. Photos of the scene, the source of the burn, damaged property, and your injuries can help preserve critical evidence.
- Collect available information. Gather incident reports, eyewitnesses’ names, medical records, bills, and information about any person or company involved in the accident.
- Avoid giving detailed statements to insurers right away. Before discussing fault or accepting a settlement, speak with a Dallas burn injury lawyer who can protect your interests.
Burn Injury Statistics
According to the American Burn Association, during one recent year in the United States:
|
450,000 |  2,550 |
 300 |  40,000 |
 150 |  400 |
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious burn caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. You should seek legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer immediately – before you discuss the matter with an insurance adjuster and before you sign anything.
Let the law offices of Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., advise you about your rights after an accident that caused serious burn injuries. We’re an established and professional law firm with friendly lawyers and staff who are easy to talk to.
Causes of Burn Injuries in Dallas
Burns result from a number of causes, including the following types of accidents:
- Car accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Truck collisions
- Accidents caused by defective products
Burn Degrees Classifications: From First-Degree to Life-Threatening Fourth-Degree Burns
Burn injuries are commonly classified by degree, which depends on how deeply the damage extends through the skin and underlying tissues:
- First-degree burns (superficial) – These burns affect only the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin. The area may appear red, dry, tender, and mildly swollen, but blisters typically don’t develop. A mild sunburn is a familiar example. These burns often heal within several days without permanent scarring, although medical evaluation may still be appropriate if the burn affects a large area.
- Second-degree burns (partial-thickness) – These burns extend through the epidermis and into part of the dermis beneath it. They commonly cause significant pain, redness, swelling, and blisters. Superficial second-degree burns can heal relatively well, while deeper injuries may take weeks to close and can leave scars or changes in skin color.
- Third-degree burns (full-thickness) – Third-degree burns destroy the full thickness of the skin. The damaged area may appear white, brown, blackened, leathery, or unusually dry. Because these burns can destroy nerve endings, the center of the burn may be numb even though the surrounding areas remain extremely painful. Treatment may involve surgery, skin grafting, and prolonged wound care.
- Fourth-degree burns – These burns extend beyond the skin into the underlying fat, connective tissue, muscle, or bone. These injuries are medical emergencies and can cause extensive tissue loss, infection, nerve damage, and permanent impairment. Depending on the location and severity, multiple surgeries, reconstruction, or amputation may be necessary.
More severe burns are frequently life-threatening and require immediate intensive treatment, often involving extensive surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
According to the American Burn Association (ABA), there were nearly 400,000 fire- or burn-related injuries and over 250,000 injuries related to hot objects or substances, such as contact burns, across the United States in one recent year. While most of these were likely minor burns that are easily treated, the ABA estimates there are 29,165 hospital admissions for burns per year, with 10,630 requiring surgery and 795 resulting in death.
When burn injuries require that extensive treatment, it almost always comes with a high cost – which the victim shouldn’t be stuck with.
Who Can Be Held Liable for Your Burn Injury?
Burn injury liability depends on how the accident happened and who contributed to the dangerous condition. Every case is unique, and more than one party may share responsibility, including:
- Property owners who knew or should’ve known about unsafe conditions and failed to address them
- Drivers or transportation companies that cause crashes leading to fires, explosions, or chemical burns
- Manufacturers of defective appliances, batteries, machinery, or other products
- Utility companies or other businesses that cause accidents involving electricity, gas, chemicals, or hazardous materials
- Employers or contractors with unsafe work practices, inadequate training, or dangerous equipment
What Compensation Can You Seek in a Burn Injury Claim?
Every burn injury case is different, and the types and amounts of compensation available to you will depend on factors such as the liable parties, the severity of your injury, your treatment needs, how much income you’ve lost, and how the burn affects your daily life.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be owed money for:
- Medical expenses, including hospitalization, surgery, skin grafts, and rehabilitation
- Ongoing care needs
- Lost wages and reduced future earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Physical impairment or disability
Our Dallas personal injury lawyers can evaluate your specific losses resulting from the accident and determine what compensation may be available to you.
How Long Do You Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
In most cases, Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 16.003 grants you the right to file a burn injury lawsuit within two (2) years of the accident date. While that may seem like a long time, it doesn’t mean you should wait to reach out to a burn lawyer in Dallas to discuss your options.
Waiting too long risks losing access to critical evidence and missing your opportunity to pursue compensation through the court system. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may even be required to meet tighter deadlines. Our experienced Dallas personal injury attorneys can help you secure evidence and take legal action before it’s too late.
Contact Our Dallas Burn Injury Attorneys
If you have suffered a serious burn through someone else’s negligence, it is important to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer and actively pursue the maximum compensation you are entitled to receive. Medical expenses and costs related to serious burns may be extremely high and may continue throughout the victim’s lifetime. Permanent scarring often results from serious burn injuries.
The Dallas burn injury attorneys at Kraft & Associates, Attorneys at Law, P.C., are dedicated to protecting your rights and helping you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our experienced lawyers have been helping burn victims in Northern Texas for decades.
Contact us today at (214) 999-9999 or contact us online for a free initial consultation to share your story with a compassionate Dallas burn injury attorney.
Sources:
- World Health Organization: Burns
- American Burn Association: Burn Incidence and Treatment in the United States: 2013 Fact Sheet
- Healthline: Burns: Types, Treatments, and More Burns | Dallas Burn Injury Lawyer