Burn Injury
Burn Injury Lawyer
Do you need an experienced burn injury lawyer to help you navigate the claims process, collect evidence, and represent your case?
Severe burn injuries can take a devastating toll on you and your family, leading to permanent physical and mental disabilities, large medical bills, and a decrease in your quality of life.
“Mithoff has been one of Houston’s most respected attorneys for decades, handling such high-profile cases as the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, Enron-related litigation on behalf of J.P, Morgan Chase and highly publicized bus and plant explosions.”
– Houston Chronicle, June 26, 2019
The attorneys at Mithoff Law have decades of experience representing clients who have sustained serious burn injuries, including:
$32 Million Jury Verdict in Trucking Crash
A $32 million jury verdict for persons who were killed or seriously injured and burned when an 18-wheeler slammed into a line of traffic stopped by a minor accident.
$80 Million Settlement for Victims of Hurricane Rita Bus Fire
Served as Plaintiffs’ Lead Liaison Attorney, and negotiated an $80 million settlement in behalf of families and victims of the Hurricane Rita Bus Fire tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 23 nursing home residents being evacuated from Houston by bus in advance of Hurricane Rita.
Confidential Settlement for Man Killed in Home Gas Explosion
Mithoff Law negotiated a confidential settlement in behalf of surviving family members of a homeowner who died as a result of an explosion caused by a gas leak.
If you or a loved one have suffered serious burns as a result of negligence, Mithoff Law is here to help. Call 713-654-1122 today to speak with a Houston burn injury lawyer or schedule a consultation online.
Understanding types of burns and their severity
Burns originate from a variety of sources:
- Thermal burns are caused by contact with fire, boiling liquids, or other sources of extreme heat
- Light burns are caused by sunlight or ultraviolet light
- Chemical burns are caused by exposure to acid, alkali, or exposure to other chemicals
- Radiation burns are caused by exposure to nuclear radiation
Each of these types of burns can vary in the level of damage they cause depending on the temperature, substance, and length of exposure.
Burns are commonly categorized according to degree, such as:
First-degree burns: These burns are the least damaging and only affect the outer layer of skin. First-degree burns are characterized by redness and minor inflammation. They can often be treated with cold water, burn cream, and antiseptic.
Second-degree burns: A second-degree burn indicates that both the top layer of skin (the epidermis) and the second layer of skin (the dermis) have been burned. These burns often lead to blistering and will typically appear dry with a whitish coloring. Depending upon the depth of the burn, a skin graft may be necessary.
Third-degree burns: A third-degree burn damages all layers of the skin and can also damage organs and bones. These burns are often characterized by charred skin and a white or black dry wound. Skin grafting will most likely be required.
Common causes of burn injuries
Today, there are safety features in place to prevent the spread of fires, like smoke alarms and sprinkler systems. We’re also lucky to have firefighters who risk their lives to protect others in harm’s way. Unfortunately, burn injuries and deaths still occur. Our burn injury lawyers have extensive experience pursuing claims for serious burn injuries that arose from a variety of causes.
Apartment building fires
Regardless of whether you live in a large apartment complex owned by a major corporation or a single building with only a handful of units, you sign a lease expecting that you’ll be safe in your own home.
No one anticipates being a victim of an apartment fire. While tenant-caused accidents do happen, it’s generally the responsibility of the landlord to minimize potential fire risks and keep their tenants safe.
A landlord’s or property manager’s failure to implement reasonable fire safety precautions may give rise to a claim. Such claims often involve issues such as:
- Whether electrical wiring is up to code and in good condition
- Whether residents are provided safe access to a fire escape or evacuation route
- Whether regularly serviced and functional fire extinguishers were available and accessible
- Whether an adequate number of smoke detectors in each unit were installed.
Workplace injuries
Chemical plant explosions, commercial kitchen fires, medical lab fires, manufacturing plant explosions, and other instances where fires cause injury or death at work pose unique challenges.
Third parties, such as equipment manufacturers or job site contractors, may be responsible for fires and explosions that caused your burn injuries. The burn injury attorneys at Mithoff Law have years of experience investigating workplace burn injuries and working to determine whether a third party may be at fault.
Automotive accidents
If your gas tank is punctured in an automotive accident or if a flammable liquid comes in contact with a heat source, an accident can quickly go from dangerous to deadly. Automotive explosions can result in expensive medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering. Our team has successfully pursued vehicle accident cases arising out of a variety of causes, including many that have resulted in serious burn injuries.
Chemical burns and electrical burns
Plant workers, electricians, and other persons exposed to the hazards of dangerous chemicals and high voltage are at risk for chemical and electrical burns. These burn injuries can be devastating and life-altering. Skilled burn injury attorneys at Mithoff Law have experience investigating and pursuing these types of claims, and are ready to evaluate your case.
Potential expenses incurred by burn injury victims
If you or a loved one was seriously burned as a result of an accident, the pain and financial toll can be daunting. A skilled burn injury attorney will collect evidence and present your case in a way that identifies all parties responsible and seeks to recover the damages you suffered.
You may be wondering when to file a personal injury lawsuit and the answer is: as soon as possible. Typically a plaintiff in Texas has two years from the date of injury to bring a claim, but evidence can be harder to gather and witness memories can fade quickly after an accident.
Burn injuries often involve substantial pain and suffering, past medical expenses, and a substantial need for future medical care and treatment. The experienced burn injury attorneys at Mithoff Law have extensive experience working with teams of medical experts to ensure that a client’s future medical needs are properly documented for settlement or trial.
Taking your burn injury lawsuit to court
If a pre-trial settlement cannot be obtained, a burn injury lawyer from Mithoff Law will not hesitate to take the case to trial. A skilled lawyer from Mithoff Law, in partnership with Subject Matter Experts, can assist in:
- Filing your lawsuit
- Conducting discovery methods to recover relevant information and evidence
- Deposing witnesses to preserve testimony and evidence
- Filing and arguing motions in advance of trial
- Representing you at a trial before a judge or jury
Get support from a burn injury attorney at Mithoff Law
If you or a loved one needs a burn injury lawyer, we are here to help. Call Mithoff Law at 713-654-1122 or schedule a consultation online today.
