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Austin Burn Injury Lawyers

Austin Burn Injury Lawyers Burns are injuries where tissue is damaged by either contact with heat, exposure to chemicals, or electrical exchanges. According to the American Burn Association, 1.1 million burn injuries require medical attention each year.

Of those injuries, 50,000 require hospitalization. Even more troubling, the Center for Disease Control estimates that 10,000 people die each year from injuries related to burn infections. These statistics show that burn injuries are not only common, but also potentially severe.

Table of Contents

Three Levels of Burns

To understand the severity of burns, it is helpful to discuss the three main levels of burn injuries:

First-degree: These types of burns damage the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). Victims typically experience pain and mild discomfort, swelling, and reddening of the skin. First-degree burns are considered minor, and they typically heal within a week. An example of a first-degree burn is a typical sunburn
Second-degree: Second-degree burns reach both the outer (epidermis) and the second layer (dermis) of the skin. Victims commonly experience severe pain, scarring, blisters, and whitening of the skin. In some second-degree burns, a skin graft is required to properly treat the wound
Third-degree: These burns destroy the first and second layers of the skin. A third-degree burn may also cause nerve damage, leaving a victim numb to pain. The victim’s skin may appear dry, leathery, and charred and splotchy in some areas. One of the dangers of a third-degree burn is the risk of infection. Burning through the first and second layers of skin leaves one exposed to bacteria, toxins, and viruses. Proper treatment for severe burns almost always involves use of a skin graft. This treatment involves using artificial and natural skin to protect the open wound and allow it to heal properly.

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Common Types of Burns

The three most common types of burns include thermal burns, chemical burns, and electrical burns. While each of these burn types are different in nature, they are all capable of causing first, second, and third-degree burns.

Thermal Burns: Thermal burns are the most common type of burn. Thermal burns occurs when hot objects, flames, steam, or scalding liquids come into direct contact with the skin. Examples of where thermal burns may occur include kitchen incidents, vehicle collisions, and house fires.
Chemical Burns: Chemical burns are caused by chemicals that have strong acids or bases. One of the greatest dangers in chemical burns is that the chemical continues burning the body until it is completely removed. The eyes are particularly sensitive to chemical burns. Victims can lose their eyesight if the chemical is not quickly and completely flushed out of the eyes.
Electrical Burns: Chemical burns result from contact with electrical currents. The severity of an electrical burn depends on the amount and length of time one is exposed to the electrical current. At high levels of electrical current, major organs can experience permanent damage.

Risk Factors

While burn injuries pose a danger to all individuals, certain groups are at a higher risk:

The elderly. These individuals generally have slower reaction times that do not allow them to avoid burn injuries quickly enough
Young children. Children have natural curiosity and are inexperienced with hot objects

Certain items around the home can also be a risk factor for burn injuries:

Malfunctioning kitchen appliances such as stoves and space heaters
Faulty water heaters
Poorly labeled cleaning supplies, including oven cleaners, bleach, and ammonia
Defective electrical wiring

Recovery

Burn injury treatment has both long and short-term effects on a victim. Victims must endure painful treatment in the short-term and, in some cases, learn to live with permanent scarring and disfigurement.

Common treatment methods, such as skin grafts and reconstructive burn surgeries, are invasive and costly. If your burn injury was the result of somebody else’s negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for your damages.

This could include damages for medical bills, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and lost wages. Call our experienced Austin Burn Injury Attorneys if you have questions regarding a potential burn injury claim.

Why Should you Consult with an Austin Burn Injury Attorney at FVF?

Consulting with a qualified burn injury attorney can make a substantial difference in your case. Our personal injury attorneys are experienced and will help you develop a strategy for bringing your case to resolution efficiently and effectively.

This includes helping burn injury clients make smart financial decisions, and educated decisions about their ongoing medical care, while working to learn and prove the long-term consequences of your burn injury.

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How Are Burn Injury Settlements Calculated?

Every burn injury case should be evaluated on its own merits, especially because burn injuries can range so dramatically in severity. Your expected burn injury settlement will depend on several major factors:

Is legal liability clear? Sometimes it is unclear whether someone else is legally responsible for causing a burn injury. When it can clearly be proven that the carelessness of someone else caused the burn injury, your burn injury settlement will likely be higher. But it is important to consider whether a thorough investigation should be done to identify any and all parties that might be legally liable for your harms and losses.
Is your burn injury serious and permanent? If you have permanent losses, such as scarring, physical impairment, or future medical bills, this can have a tremendous impact on your burn injury settlement. However, these must be fully evaluated and proven in order to maximize your recovery.
Are there adequate resources available? A major factor in burn injury settlements is how deep the pockets are of the liable parties. Even major burn injuries can result in low settlements when those who are to be held accountable have little insurance or assets. But the Austin burn injury lawyers at FVF can thoroughly investigate your case to identify what resources are available.

Before you consider settling your burn injury claim, it is a good idea to have your case evaluated by an expert burn injury lawyer. Our burn injury lawyers at FVF will gladly consult with you at no cost.