Experienced Fort Worth Burn Injury Lawyers
Persuasive representation for Texas burn injury victims
Burn injuries are frightening. Just one spark, one oilfield explosion, or one car accident can leave victims wondering if they’ll live or die. Severe burn injury patients need to be transported to a local burn injury center or a hospital. Most burn victims need surgery to save their lives, to save their limbs, and to reduce the amount of scarring. Infections and skin complications are major worries. Often victims require additional plastic surgeries. Once the physical issues are managed, most victims need psychological help to cope with their injuries – especially if the face, neck, or arms are scarred.
At Slack Davis Sanger, our Fort Worth burn injury lawyers understand how devastating burn injuries are. We work with fire professionals, the police, and others to determine the reasons for the fire, explosion, exposure, or smoke that caused your injuries. Our lawyers speak with your doctors and care providers to fully understand the extent of your injuries, what medical treatments you need, and how the burns are affecting you physically and emotionally. With work with a team of experts to determine your future care needs and loss of income and/or earning capacity.
What types of burn injury cases does your firm handle?
Our firm has extensive experience and a proven track record of success in handling burn cases in Texas. In one case, our lawyers represented 68 plaintiffs who were injured when a tanker truck loaded with liquid propane was hit by a freight train in the town of Lucio Blanco in Mexico. The accident killed six people and injured over 40 residents of the town. Ten people were hospitalized with burns over more than 70 percent of their bodies.
Fires are just one cause of severe burn injuries. Our Fort Worth lawyers represent anyone who suffers a catastrophic injury due to:
Thermal burns. These fires are caused by strong heat sources including fires, boiling liquids, and steam. Many fires start in residential homes.
Electrical burns. There’s generally no blaze with electrical burns. Electrical burns occur when a worker or consumer comes into direct contact with power lines, exposed wires, electricity from power tools, and other sources.
Chemical burns. Hazardous chemicals and toxins can cause burn injuries in two ways – through direct contact with the skin and by inhaling the dangerous fumes.
Smoke inhalation. Firefighters, residents, and others need to understand that the smoke from the fire can cause just as much damage, including breathing disorders, as the flames of the fire.
Gas explosions. Explosions at oil and pipeline sites are common. Gas explosions can also occur when the fuel lines of cars, trucks, and motorcycles ignite.
Radiation burns. People can suffer radiation burns from X-rays, certain medical treatments, or through exposure to the sun.
What are the categories of burn injuries?
According to Stanford Health Care, burn injuries are classified as follows:
First-degree (superficial) burns. These burns affect the outer skin layer (the epidermis). Sunburn is a common example. The site of the burn is red, dry, and painful. Most first-degree burns heal with minimal treatment.
Second-degree (partial thickness) burns. These burns affect the epidermis and some of the second layer of skin (the dermis). The burn site has blisters, appears red, and may be swollen or painful.
Third-degree (full thickness) burns. These burns destroy the epidermis and dermis. The underlying bones, muscles, and tendons may be damaged too. The burn site appears white [not red] or charred. The victim doesn’t experience sensation at the site of the burn because the nerve endings are destroyed.
When burns affect 10 percent of a child’s body, or 15 to 20 percent of an adult's body, hospitalization and extensive rehabilitation are generally required.
What are the immediate dangers of Fort Worth burn injuries?
A trauma or burn care center provides the following medical care for seriously burned accident victims:
- Focuses on any respiratory or cardiac dangers
- Looks for infections that can get into the bloodstream
- Treats skin damage
- Treats muscle, bone, nerve, and tissue damage
- Examines damage to the lungs, sweat glands, throat or esophagus
- Treats muscles contractures, which occur when the scars become tight
- Performs any necessary skin grafts
Health care providers also need to address anxiety, fear, depression, and even suicidal thoughts of their burn injury patients.
What treatments are available for burn injury patients?
A variety of hospitals and rehabilitative centers across Texas can help burn injury recover from their injuries over time. In addition to working with psychologists and plastic surgeons, burn injury victims may work with the following health care professionals:
- Infectious disease doctors
- Therapists – physical, occupational, vocational, and respiratory
- Rehabilitation nurses
- Pain management doctors
- Internists
- Nutritionists
Who is responsible for my Fort Worth burn injury damages?
Burn injuries happen in many different ways. At Slack Davis Sanger, our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers represent victims who suffer any type of severe burn injury. We fight to hold the people or businesses that caused your injuries liable. Common causes of burn injuries include:
- Aviation accidents
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Boating, Jet Ski, and other watercraft accidents
- Workplace accidents including construction, oil field, pipeline, and industrial and manufacturing accidents
- Defective products including vehicle defects, gas tanks, heaters, smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, and fire extinguishers
- Restaurants, hotels, and any place hot liquids are used
Defendants can include businesses, property owners, drivers, manufacturers, and many others.
We also review whether the defendants violated any federal, state, or industry regulations.
What is the value of my Fort Worth burn injury claim?
At Slack Davis Sanger, our lawyers understand how traumatic burn injuries are. We demand compensation for all the ways the burns have changed your life including:
- Medical costs – current and future
- Income and benefit losses – current and future
- Physical pain and emotional suffering
- Scars and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Property damage
We also file wrongful death claims on behalf of the families of anyone who dies due to their burn injuries.
Do you have a burn injury lawyer near me?
Slack Davis Sanger has a Fort Worth office located at 100 Lexington Street, Suite 70. We maintain Austin and Dallas offices for your convenience.
Call an experienced Fort Worth burn injury attorney now
At Slack Davis Sanger, our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers handle all types of catastrophic injuries, including burn injuries. We prepare your case for trial. Many cases do settle because of our impressive record of verdicts, settlements, and our thorough preparation of your claim. To assert your rights, call us at 800-455-8686 or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment.
Fort Worth Office
100 Lexington Street
Suite 70
Fort Worth, TX 76102
Main Fort Worth Practice Areas