It goes without saying that a serious burn can have lasting physical and psychological repercussions. Beyond the initial pain, victims often suffer permanent scarring and disfigurement that greatly diminish their quality of life. The cost of emergency treatment, surgeries, and lost income can add up quickly, but if your injury was caused by another person’s intentional act or negligence, you may be able to recover compensation for these losses by filing a personal injury claim.
In the state of Texas, burn injury victims may be entitled to both compensatory and punitive damages. Compensatory damages include objectively verifiable economic losses, such as medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for especially reckless or egregious behavior.
Unforunately, recovering a fair settlement in any tort claim presents certain challenges. The insurance company will likely search for reasons to dispute liability and the cost of your damages, and claims adjusters are not above using devious tactics to get claimants to admit fault or accept low settlements.
If you or someone you love was seriously burned and you intend to file a claim, contact Chelsie King Garza, P.C. to discuss your case. Chelsie is a burn injury attorney in Houston with more than 20 years of experience negotiating with insurance companies in Texas. Call 713-893-8808 for a free consultation.
Recoverable Damages in Texas Burn Injury Claims
The severity of your burn injury, its location on your body, its cause, and many other factors will determine the types of damages you may be able to recover and the potential value of your claim. In the state of Texas, the following compensatory damages might be recoverable in personal injury claims:
- Lost income;
- Loss of future earning capacity;
- Past and future medical bills;
- Property repairs and replacement;
- Other objectively verifiable damages like home care and child care;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish;
- Physical impairment;
- Disfigurement;
- Loss of companionship or consortium; and
- Loss of enjoyment in life.
Although punitive damages are not awarded in most burn injury cases, they may be available depending on the cause of your injury. If the defendant acted with malice, fraud, gross negligence, omission, or willful conduct, the court may determine that punitive damages are warranted to punish the defendant and deter similar misconduct in the future.
As you can probably imagine, the damages recoverable after a severe burn can be quite substantial given the profound impact these injuries can have on the victim’s quality of life. But recovering a fair settlement will likely require an extensive investigation that may involve eyewitness interviews, filing subpoenas for evidence, and consultations with medical and financial experts. This is where a seasoned burn injury lawyer can help.
Discuss Your Case with a Houston Burn Injury Lawyer
Chelsie King Garza, P.C. has extensive experience helping burn injury victims pursue the compensation they need to regain their financial footing and move on with life. Unlike other law firms that pass off clients to paralegals and less experienced attorneys, Chelsie will work directly with you through every step of the proceedings. Call 713-893-8808 or fill out our Contact Form to schedule a free consultation.
