The Robson Law Firm are burn injury lawyers in Austin, Texas who may be able to help you seek damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering following a car accident involving burn injuries. While car accident fires are increasingly rare thanks to improvements in technology, when they do occur, they can leave victims with major medical expenses, scars, and other losses. Sometimes fires occur during a crash and sometimes car fires occur because of a defect in a vehicle. Regardless of the cause of the fire, victims and their families may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses. The Robson Law Firm are Austin, Texas personal injury lawyers who understand the unique challenges that burn injury victims face. If you or a loved one are struggling following this type of serious injury, contact the Robson Law Firm in Austin, Texas today.
Types of Burns and Treatment Options
Burns are rated in terms of their severity. There are first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns. While first-degree burns can typically heal on their own, second-degree and third-degree burns may require medical treatment. Second-degree burns, while less severe than third-degree burns, may actually be more painful immediately after the injury because the nerves aren’t always damaged with second-degree burns, while third-degree burns may go deeper and damage nerves. However, deeper third-degree burns can damage other tissues, including muscle and bone.
The biggest risk with a second-degree burn is infection, so preventing infection through the use of antibiotics and managing pain is the biggest treatment priority. Third-degree burns can damage deeper tissues and patients may require skin grafts and may require aggressive antibiotic treatment, and even treatment to prevent fluid loss. With any serious burn, infection prevention is key.
In addition to treating the wounds associated with burns, doctors may need to aggressively manage burn pain. Pain associated with burns can be among the most intense of any injury. The time when nurses or patients need to change their bandages is when burn pain can be the most severe, but patients may experience ongoing “background” pain which can last long after the burn has healed. Patients suffering from the severe pain of a burn injury may have difficulty sleeping, may have trouble going to work, may suffer from mood changes, and may struggle to perform former life tasks like caring for children and family members or engaging in life activities.
Burns can also lead to scarring and to physical disfigurement. These injuries can impact a person’s self-concept, self-esteem, and ability to engage in everyday activities. If you have suffered from scarring as a result of a burn, you may have the right to seek damages for your pain and suffering.
Burn treatment can involve days to weeks of rehabilitation. Patients who burn areas of skin around joints may need to perform movement exercises to be able to regain range of motion. Severe burn injury survivors may even suffer damage to their muscles or bone. Patients who burn their face may experience difficulties speaking or communicating. Others who have deeper burns may experience movement or mobility challenges.
If you or a loved one has suffered a severe burn injury in a car accident, you and your family may have the right to seek damages for your medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and pain and suffering damages. The Robson Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Austin, Texas who may be able to help you seek compensation for your burn injuries. Focus on healing, leave the claims fight to the Robson Law Firm.
Burn Injury and Emotional Trauma
Because burn injuries are so severe and because they can lead to scarring, victims can suffer from emotional trauma following a burn injury. Some individuals might even go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder. Rehabilitation plans may include counseling or therapy to help patients cope with the emotional changes that occur following a burn injury. Because patients may need to take strong pain killers while healing from a burn injury, the risk that they could become addicted to opioids is present. Proper support is essential to healing. However, for some, the cost of medical care can be a bar to receiving proper treatment. The Robson Law Firm are personal injury lawyers in Austin, Texas who may be able to assist you and your loved ones in seeking compensation so you can find the best possible medical and rehabilitative care.
Causes of Car Fires
Why do car fires occur? Common of car fires stem from collisions, issues with the vehicle’s electrical system or wiring, or problems with the car’s fuel system. A car can catch fire if it is not properly maintained, so if you’ve been in a car fire or were a passenger in a vehicle that burst into flames, improper maintenance may have been the culprit and the car owner may be at fault. However, sometimes accidents are so serious that they can lead to car fires. In some rare cases, vehicle defects can lead to fires. It is wise to periodically check the government database for vehicle recalls to make sure that your car isn’t subject to a recall and to make sure it isn’t a risk for fire. If a vehicle defect was the cause of your car’s fire, you may be entitled to seek damages from the vehicle manufacturer. The Robson Law Firm are car accident attorneys in Austin, Texas who can review the circumstances of your vehicle fire, identify responsible parties, and fight to help you get the maximum possible compensation under the law.
Seek Justice Today
You may only have a limited amount of time to seek damages if you’ve suffered a burn injury in a car accident. Victims may be entitled to seek damages from drivers, negligent parties, car manufacturers, and may be entitled to seek a settlement from insurance companies. If you have questions about your rights following a burn injury, contact the Robson Law Firm, personal injury lawyers in Austin, Texas today. We can review your case with a free initial consultation.