Houston Burn Injury Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common Burn Injury Questions:
- What is a burn injury?
- Are there different types of burns? Are burn injuries classified in terms of severity?
- What takes place during the course of a burn injury?
- How long will it take to recover from a burn injury?
- What are the most common causes of burn injuries?
- Are certain people at risk for suffering a burn injury?
- Should I expect scarring with my burn injury?
- When is it too late to contact a burn injury lawyer?
- What can I expect to receive in compensation for a burn injury?
- Should I contact a lawyer?
Burn injuries are caused to flesh by heat, electricity, chemicals, light, radiation or friction. Most burns only affect the skin, but deeper tissues can also be injured in more severe burns. Depending on their degree, burns may be treated with first aid or may require more specialized treatment at specialized hospitals and burn centers.
2. Are there different degrees of burn injuries?
Yes, there are. There are four “degrees” of burns:
- A first-degree burn is a superficial burn. It includes only the top layer of the skin.
- A second-degree burn includes all of the epidermis (skin) and a varying depth of the dermis.
- A third-degree burn, or full-thickness burn, includes the epidermis, the entire dermis, skin appendages, and at times deeper tissue. Such a burn, even when it includes a small surface area, usually requires hospitalization.
- A fourth-degree burn has reached the underlying muscle and bone, appears black and charred, and requires extensive hospitalization and extreme medical treatment.
Visit our "Degrees of Burn Injuries" page for more information on first, second, third, and fourth degree burns.
3. What happens during a burn injury?
Burn injuries include damage to muscle, nerve tissue, and bones as well as the skin. Burn injuries are frequently accompanied by other traumatic injuries, such as fractures or other complications due to smoke inhalation or surgery.
4. How long does it take to recover from a burn injury?
Recovery times vary depending on the degree of burn injury and the location of the burn. Recovery from a burn injury requires skilled and highly specialized care. Visit our Houston Burn Injury Resources page for a variety of burn-related resources both in your area and nationally.
5. What are the most common causes of burn injuries?
Residential fires are the top cause of burn injuries. The most common causes of burn injuries include:
- Household Fires
- Scalding/ Hot Water
- Car Accidents
- Electrical Accidents
- Industrial Accidents
- Gas Explosions
Visit our "Burn Injury Causes" page for more information on these and other burn injury causes.
6. Who is most at risk of burn injuries?
While everyone can be at risk of a burn injury, children and the elderly are the highest risk groups when it comes to burn injuries.
7. Is scarring an issue with burn injuries?
Yes. In fact, scar tissue often does not mature for at least a year and can haunt burn injury victims for a great deal of time. Sometimes, burn injury victims can benefit from visiting a therapist or psychologist, but often a plastic surgeon can go a long way to healing the physical burns associated with burn injuries. There are a number of plastic surgeons and surgery centers in the Houston area.
Some plastic surgeons and surgery facilities in Houston specializing in trauma and burn injury reconstructive surgery are:
Agris Cosmetic Center - Dr. Joseph Agris, D.D.S., M.D.. F.A.C.S.
6560 Fannin St., Suite 1730
Houston, TX 77030
713-797-1700
Gill Plastic Surgery - Dr. Paul Gill
17070 Red Oak Dr. Suite 303
Houston, TX 77090
281-853-5308
Dr. John LoMonaco
1009 Missouri Street
Houston, TX 7006
714-526-5563
Mark Barlow, M.D.
2060 Space Park Dr #310
Nassau Bay, TX 77058
281-333-8999
8. When is it too late to contact a burn injury attorney?
As a general rule of thumb, it is never too late to contact Houston burn injury lawyers. Consultation meetings are often free and if an experienced Houston burn injury lawyer takes your case on a contingency basis, you will pay nothing unless your case is won. The only sure way of finding out is to contact Houston burn injury lawyers today.
9. What can I receive compensation for as a burn injury victim?
Burn injury lawsuits often result in recoveries in:
- Hospitalization
- Lifetime medical care
- Home caregivers
- Lost wages and/or lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental Anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
Families and loved ones of victims may also recovery on behalf of a disabled victim or in the unfortunate case of a deceased victim, in wrongful death actions. For more information, visit our "Compensation for Burn Injuries" page.
10. Should I contact a lawyer if I suffer from a burn injury?
Yes, do not hesitate to contact a qualified Houston burn injury lawyer today to ensure you receive the highest level of compensation you are entitled to under the law. If you wait too long to contact a lawyer, technical requirements of the law, such as a statute of limitation, could prevent you from recovering for your burn injuries. Consult one of the Houston Burn Injury Attorneys on this site to discuss your burn injury claim and avoid a potential legal bar to your recovery!
Burn Injury Lawyers and Burn Injury Attorneys Serve Houston and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Southeast Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller and West University.