Burn injuries can be excruciating and may require several weeks or months of recovery time — often leaving the victim unable to work and drowning in medical bills. If you’ve recently experienced a burn injury, you may be entitled to compensation.
The Conroe burn injury lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law are committed to fighting for you and ensuring you get the settlement you deserve. We understand how stressful and scary this time in your life can be, and we work hard on your case so you can focus on what matters most – your health and recovery.
When Should You Hire a Conroe Burn Injury Lawyer?
How do you know if you need the Conroe burn injury lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law? Here are some signs that may mean you could benefit from a lawyer:
- You have severe burn injuries that are interfering with your quality of life.
- Liability is being questioned, and the responsible party (or parties) is refusing to take accountability.
- You’ve experienced long-term health complications.
- Your insurance company is refusing to pay for your injuries.
- You’ve lost income and wages as a result of your injuries.
- You’ve experienced emotional distress, pain, and suffering.
Call the burn injury lawyers at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law now at 713-973-8888 or toll-free 1-800-444-5000. You can also complete our online contact form to begin your free case evaluation.
What Happens During a Burn Injury Lawsuit?
Before reaching out to a Conroe burn injury lawyer, you might wonder what to expect during your burn injury lawsuit. While every case is unique, you can typically expect to go through the following steps:
Investigation
Your Conroe burn injury lawyer will thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your burn injury. This investigation will likely involve collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, obtaining medical records, and consulting with experts to understand the cause of the fire and the extent of your injuries.
Determining Liability
Your burn injury lawyer will identify the party or parties responsible for your burn injuries. The responsible party could be an individual, a business, a manufacturer, or another entity.
Filing a Complaint
If your lawyer determines you have a viable case, the lawyer may file a lawsuit on your behalf. This legal document will outline the allegations, the legal basis for the claim, and the relief you’re seeking.
Discovery Process
Both parties will go through the discovery process. During this process, they will exchange information and evidence relevant to the case. This may include depositions, interrogatories, document requests, and other legal procedures to gather facts and build the case.
Negotiations and Settlement Discussions
Both parties may engage in settlement discussions at various stages of the lawsuit. Negotiations can occur directly between the attorneys or through alternative dispute resolution methods like mediation.
Trial
If a settlement is not reached, the case proceeds to trial. During the trial, both parties will present their evidence, call witnesses, and make legal arguments before a judge and/or jury.
Verdict and Judgment
The judge or jury will deliberate and reach a verdict. If you win, the court enters a judgment, which may include compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other damages.
What Does a Burn Injury Lawyer Do?
Are you feeling confused or intimidated by any of the steps outlined above? Our Conroe burn injury lawyers here at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law will guide you through every step of the process and help you understand what’s happening and why. They will be there to answer your questions clearly and compassionately and help you feel more confident about your case.
Why Choose Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law?
Terry Bryant, the President and founder of Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law, served as a judge for 22 years and is Board Certified in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
He profoundly understands the legal system and has personally hand-picked every lawyer at our Houston-based law firm.
Since our firm’s founding, we have secured more than $1 Billion dollars for our clients.
When you partner with us, you can trust that we will work hard for you and give your case the attention it deserves, regardless of potential settlement size. We are committed to your physical, emotional, and financial recovery.
You know why we think you should choose us, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Check out our client testimonials to hear from those we’ve helped.
Burn Injury Statistics
- Burn incidence in the United States: According to the latest data from the American Burn Association (ABA), an estimated 486,000 burn injuries need medical treatment each year in the United States.
- Hospitalizations and deaths: The ABA also reported that approximately 40,000 individuals are hospitalized annually due to burn injuries, and around 3,400 burn-related deaths occur annually.
- Occupational burn injuries: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 16,890 nonfatal occupational injuries involving burns in the United States in 2019.
- Global burden: Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over 11 million people suffer burn injuries severe enough to require medical attention each year.
Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are classified based on the severity of the damage to the skin and underlying tissues. Here’s an overview of the different types of burn injuries:
First-Degree Burns
- Superficial burns that damage the outer layer of the skin (epidermis) only
- Symptoms include redness, mild swelling, and pain
- Healing usually occurs within a week without scarring
- Examples include mild sunburns.
Second-Degree Burns
- Extend below the outer layer of the skin and affect the underlying layer (the dermis).
- Symptoms include blistering, severe redness, swelling, and pain.
- Healing may take several weeks, and scarring is possible.
- There are two kinds of second-degree burns – superficial partial-thickness burns that affect the upper portion of the dermis and deep partial-thickness burns that extend deeper.
Third-Degree Burns
- Full-thickness burns that damage the entire depth of the skin and may involve underlying tissues, such as muscles and bones.
- The skin may be white, charred, or leathery.
- Often results in numbness because nerve endings are destroyed.
- Healing requires specialized medical treatment, such as skin grafts, and scarring is inevitable.
Fourth-Degree Burns
- Extend beyond the skin, affecting deeper tissues, including muscles, tendons, and bones.
- Considered a severe form of third-degree burns.
- Require immediate medical attention and extensive treatment.
Burn Categories by Cause
Burns can also be divided into different categories based on their causes. Here are four examples of different types of burns:
- Thermal burns: Caused by exposure to flames, hot liquids, steam, or hot surfaces.
- Chemical burns: Result from contact with corrosive substances such as acids or bases.
- Electrical burns: Occur when an electric current passes through the body, causing damage to tissues.
- Radiation burns: Result from exposure to radiation, such as from the sun, tanning beds, or medical treatments.
How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Claim in Conroe, Texas?
In Texas, you typically have up to two years to file a burn injury claim. (*Always speak directly to an attorney to obtain the exact deadlines that apply to your potential claims). Keep in mind, though, that it’s better to file sooner rather than later. The sooner you partner with a burn injury lawyer, the easier it is for them to start building your case – and the sooner you can get compensated for your injuries.
Damages Available to Burn Injury Victims
Several types of damages are available to burn injury victims, including the following:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for past, current, and future medical expenses related to the burn injury. This can include hospital bills, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and any necessary ongoing medical treatments.
- Lost wages: Compensation for the income the victim lost due to the burn injury. This may cover wages lost during recovery and any future earnings.
- Pain and suffering: Noneconomic damages meant to compensate the victim for physical pain, emotional suffering, and mental anguish caused by the burn injury.
- Disfigurement and scarring: Compensation for the physical disfigurement and scarring resulting from the burn injury. The amount awarded may depend on the location and severity of the scarring.
- Emotional distress: Damages for psychological and emotional distress caused by the burn injury. This can include anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues resulting from the trauma.
- Loss of consortium: In cases where the burn injury affects the victim’s relationships with family members, loss of consortium damages may be awarded to compensate for the negative impact on those relationships.
- Punitive damages: In cases of extreme negligence, intentional misconduct, or egregious behavior, punitive damages may be awarded. These are meant to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct in the future.
- Home modifications and assistive devices: If the burn injury results in long-term disabilities or limitations, damages may be awarded to cover the costs of home modifications and assistive devices to improve the victim’s quality of life.
Contact a Conroe Burn Injury Lawyer Today
If you’ve experienced a burn injury, you should consult an experienced Conroe burn injury lawyer. The team at Terry Bryant Accident & Injury Law has decades of experience fighting for Houston-area burn injury victims.
Contact us now by calling 713-973-8888 or toll-free 1-800-444-5000. You can also fill out our online contact form for a free and confidential consultation.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]