Have you suffered a serious burn injury?

Since 1978, the law offices of Aaron Allison have helped people in the Austin area understand their legal options after suffering a burn injury. Our small Texas legal firm specializes in helping victims of accidents and injuries know their rights and aggressively pursue legal action when compensation is due. 

If you have suffered a burn injury, or are caring for a loved one who has been injured, it can be a stressful and difficult time. It can be even more stressful if you are worried about medical bills, lost wages, and the long-term costs of a burn injury. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible, especially if your injury is work-related, so you can focus on recovery.

What Happens After a Burn Injury?

Burn injuries happen when the body is exposed to excessive heat from fire or hot liquids. Hot grease, electricity, radiation, and certain chemicals can also cause burn injuries. 

Burns damage or kill the affected cells, causing pain and inflammation. Here are some of the things you might expect after a burn injury:

• Skin Grafts. For burn injuries that are especially dangerous, doctors may consider skin grafts. With skin grafts, doctors take a thin layer of skin from an unburned part of the body and transplant it over the burn wound. There are several different types of skin grafts, and after a graft both the original burn and the skin donor area need to heal. 
• Contraction. For very deep burns, the body may close the wound during the healing process by drawing in the surrounding skin. This process is called “contraction”, and can impair normal movement and function in the area even after the burn has healed.
• Discomfort. Burns heal slowly, and the process of recovering from a burn can involve pain, fatigue, itching, and other prolonged discomforts. Even under optimal conditions, recovering from a burn injury is often difficult and painful.  
• Complications. Because the skin protects the body tissues from germs and bacteria, burn injuries make us especially vulnerable to complications like infections and cellulitis. Depending on how a person was burned, they also may be more prone to conditions like pneumonia, blood clotting, and other complications.  

What are the Long-Term Effects of a Burn Injury?

There are several potential long-term effects of a burn injury. These might include:

• Burn scars and keloids. Severe burns leave scars and skin discoloration that may last for life. Some people may develop keloids during the healing process, and a burn injury may permanently affect the appearance of the skin. 
• Nerve damage. Severe burns may cause nerve damage that is slow to heal, or a person may never fully recover normal sensation in the affected area. 
• Physical therapy. Scarring, nerve damage, and contraction may reduce a person’s physical function and range of motion after a burn injury. Many burn victims require extensive physical and occupational therapy.
• Mental health effects. Burn injuries often have severe consequences for a person’s mental health, self-esteem, and sense of wellbeing. Many burn injury victims suffer from PTSD and other long-term psychological effects. Mental health treatment is an important part of full recovery.  

Caring for Someone with Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can take a long time to heal, and it may take longer still for the burn victim to recover normal function. Burn victims are typically assigned exercises to help their bodies recover, and may need help with wound care, mobility, and the tasks of daily life. 

If you are caring for a loved one or family member who has had a burn injury, consider seeking a consultation with a qualified personal injury law firm. An injury attorney in Austin can help determine what kind of assistance and compensation you may be entitled to in your burn injury case.  

What Kind of Medical Costs Can You Expect from a Burn Injury?

Burn injuries can be extremely complicated to treat. A 2011 study found that the average cost for treating a moderate burn without complications can still amount to more than $200,000, while severe burns with complications can add up to over $1 million in healthcare costs.  

Burn victims may be able to recover medical and therapeutic costs for treatment and recovery of their burn injury, especially if their injury was received at work.  

How Can Aaron Allison Help With Your Burn Injury Lawsuit?

Aaron Allison offers free legal consultations to burn injury victims in Texas. We give honest answers to your legal questions to help you understand your rights. Aaron Allison’s personal injury law firm works on a contingency basis, so you do not have to pay any attorney fees up front. Call us today at (512) 474-8346 to find out how we can help you recover medical costs from a burn injury.