Burn Injury
Burn injuries are one of the most common problems requiring someone to visit an emergency room. While burn injuries may occur for many reasons, they are often the result of an accident caused by negligence. And if we are talking about a third party’s negligence, the burn victim may have a legal case to seek compensation.
Indeed, burn injuries are often the result of preventable accidents. So if you or a loved one has been seriously hurt due to someone else’s reckless or careless act, you should seek out a qualified lawyer. Attorney Keith B. French has represented many clients throughout Texas who have a personal injury claim and need professional advice and guidance on what steps to take following a burn accident.
How Negligence Can Cause Serious Burns
Medical professionals classify burn injuries as first, second, or third degree. A first-degree burn is the least serious. Such injuries can still hurt but they often do not require any medical treatment beyond a bandage or other home care. Second- and third-degree burns, in contrast, usually require immediate medical attention and often lead to hospitalization. Third-degree burns are generally considered life-threatening.
Some examples of how negligence can lead to second- and third-degree burn injuries include:
- Car accidents – Contrary to what you see in the movies, cars generally do not explode or catch fire following an accident. But it does happen, especially when an accident involves a commercial truck carrying hazardous cargo. And when fire does break out, the victims are often trapped in their vehicles until first responders arrive.
- Defective products – If a consumer product is not properly designed or manufactured, a latent defect can lead to a fire and potential burn injuries. This is particularly true with any product involving batteries or electronics. A manufacturer can be held liable under Texas law if it allowed such a defective product to leave its facility.
- Premises liability – If you sustain a burn injury while lawfully on someone else’s property, the owner may be responsible under Texas premises liability law if they failed to keep their property in reasonably safe condition.
- Generally reckless behavior – Many burn injuries are simply the result of people acting recklessly and without regard to the safety of others. For example, people who set off fireworks in a residential neighborhood may be liable if they start a fire in a neighboring home.
Contact Keith B. French Law Today
If you can prove that a defendant’s negligence caused your burn injury, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages under Texas law. This includes compensation for your out-of-pocket expenses like medical bills and lost wages. You can also recover damages for your pain and suffering and disfigurement arising from your burn injuries.
Given the severe nature of these cases, it is a good idea to work with a skilled Pearland burn injury lawyer from the outset. If you or someone in your family needs to speak with an attorney right away, contact Keith B. French Law, PLLC, today to schedule a free initial consultation.
