The first weeks after a serious burn are about survival and treatment. Then a different stage begins: the long road. Dressing changes, therapy, more procedures, time off work, and a body and a life that may look different than before.
A claim that looks only at the first hospital bill can miss most of that story. This article is about what families can track so the whole picture is clear. It does not give medical advice. Your medical team guides your care.
Think in four buckets
- Medical care. Hospital stays, procedures, therapy, medicine, supplies, and follow-up visits, past and future. Keep every bill and every record.
- Work and income. Time missed, reduced hours, changed duties, and, if it applies, a job that is no longer possible. Keep pay stubs and notes from your employer.
- Daily help. Rides, child care, cooking, cleaning, and help with dressing or wound care. Family members often do this for free. Write down who helps and how often.
- Life changes. Pain, sleep, appearance, privacy, relationships, activities that are gone. This is hard to put on paper, which is why a simple journal helps.
Keep a journal and a photo record
A few lines a day is enough. If the survivor is comfortable with it, take dated photographs during healing. Never pressure anyone to share images. Your attorney and your doctors can tell you what is useful.
Look at where the burn came from
Burns can come from flash fires, hot liquids, chemicals, electricity, or vehicle fires. Who controlled the hazard? Who made or maintained the equipment? If it happened at work, workers’ compensation may apply, and benefits are generally the exclusive remedy against the employer. Other companies may be treated differently.
Be careful with early offers
A settlement offer made early may not account for years of care. Before you sign a release, make sure you understand what future costs it leaves behind.
If a loved one died
Texas law allows certain family members to bring a wrongful death claim when a person dies because of another’s wrongful act, neglect, carelessness, unskillfulness, or default.
The deadline
A Texas personal injury lawsuit generally must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues. Special rules can apply to children and to claims against government entities. Workers’ compensation has its own deadlines.
Suffered a burn injury? Contact Leatherwood & Schindler, PLLC today.
If you or someone you love was injured or killed because of someone else’s carelessness, talk with attorneys Hogan Leatherwood and Claire Schindler at Leatherwood & Schindler, PLLC today to discuss your personal injury case. Call us toll-free at (877) 664-6665 or visit lstrial.com. Every consultation with any lawyer at Leatherwood & Schindler is free and confidential.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past outcomes do not guarantee a similar result. Sending us a message does not by itself mean we represent you; please do not send confidential details until we confirm that we can discuss your matter. Attorneys responsible for this content: Hogan Leatherwood and Claire Schindler, Leatherwood & Schindler, PLLC, 2000 West Loop S., Suite 2200, Houston, Texas 77027.