Fort Worth Attorney Advocates for Burn Injury Victims
Skilled legal representation when severe burns cause loss of function and disfigurement
When uncontrolled, fire is a deadly threat. In our practice at the Law Offices of J. Kent McAfee, P.C. in Fort Worth, we have witnessed the devastating effects of flame, electricity and caustic chemicals on victims. Our firm has represented Texans who have suffered the lingering physical and psychological effects of severe burn injuries. Over the decades, we have recovered millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. If your injuries were caused by someone’s wrongful act or omission, we are ready to fight for the settlement or judgment award you deserve.
Common causes of burn injuries
Across the country, more than 1.1 million burn injuries require medical treatment each year, and more than 50,000 require hospitalization. The leading causes of burn injuries include:
- Building/household fires
- Car accidents
- Chemical accidents
- Electrical accidents
- Defective consumer products
- Gas explosions
- Industrial accidents
Whenever a fire causes harm to people or property, insurance companies and civil authorities conduct investigations to determine the cause. Our firm goes beyond these sources, consulting with experts when necessary, to identity all of the parties whose actions or inaction led to the burn injuries.
Types of burn injuries
Accident victims suffer different types of injuries based on the type of burn. The four basic types of burns are classified as:
- Thermal — Contact with heat, such as an open flame or an extremely hot object
- Chemical — Contact with a caustic chemical, either in liquid or gaseous state. In addition to the skin, a victim’s eyes, nostrils, throat and lungs are particularly vulnerable.
- Electrical — When victims come into contact with electrical wiring or are struck as an arc of electricity passes through the air.
- Radiation — A bad sunburn is technically a radiation burn. But mistakes made with devices that channel radiation, such as X-ray or radiotherapy machines, can cause substantial harm. You might also be exposed to the source of radiation in an industrial setting, such as a hospital or nuclear power plant.
The course of treatment for a burn, and the victim’s prognosis for recovery, often depend on the source of the burn.
Classifications of burn injuries
Medical science classifies burns by severity. The four levels of intensity are:
- First degree — These superficial burns affect the topmost layer of skin, also known as the epidermis. The site of the burn is red and painful, but does not blister.
- Second degree — A somewhat more severe burn that involves both the epidermis and the layer below, the dermis. These painful burns create blisters and might lead to swelling.
- Third degree — Also known as a full-thickness burn, a third-degree burn destroys the epidermis and dermis, and may penetrate the innermost layer, the subcutaneous tissue. This burn injury might look white or black, as the skin is charred.
- Fourth degree — The most serious burns penetrate all the way to the muscle and possibly the bone. A victim might not fell pain because their nerve endings have been destroyed.
Severe burns cause various medical problems, such as:
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of function
- Amputation
- Increased vulnerability to infection
As your personal injury law firm, we work tirelessly to secure a settlement or verdict that fully compensates you for your present and future medical bills, lost income, and your pain and suffering.
Schedule a free burn injury consultation with an experienced Fort Worth injury attorney
The Law Offices of J. Kent McAfee, P.C. in Fort Worth represents clients who’ve suffered severe burns due to someone else’s negligence. To meet with an accomplished personal injury lawyer free of charge, call us at 817-332-7676 or contact us online. Our office is conveniently located in Fort Worth’s Hospital District, and we also meet clients in their homes and hospital rooms.
