Damages Awarded to Burn Injury Victims in Plano

Plano started as a small farming community and grew into manufacturing electronics, telecommunication technology, medical devices, and other equipment. The welcoming business climate has also led energy businesses, car companies, and food processing plants to set up shop in the city. While these economic advancements enrich residents’ lives, some of these industries and development opportunities carry increased burn risks.

If you were burned at work and did not have workers’ compensation, you might be eligible to sue your employer or another responsible party. Additionally, if you sustained burn injuries outside of work, a lawyer can help you determine whether you have a case. Car accidents, structural fires, defective products, restaurant fires, and more can cause burns. Contact Plano burn injury attorneys for more information.

Doctors group burns into four different types. The Plano personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw will use this information to guide how they present your case and seek damages. These burn types are:

• First-degree burns

  Though uncomfortable, first-degree burns are the least severe. The damage is isolated to the top layers of skin, also known as the epidermis. Sunburn is one of the most common examples of a first-degree burn.




• Second-degree burns

  Second-degree burn damage goes deeper than first-degree burns into the dermis. While these burns are sometimes manageable at home (e.g., a burn from a hot stove), they can be prone to infection.

  A doctor’s care is necessary when second-degree burns cover 10% of the body or are located on the joints, groin, feet, hands, and face. If you have second-degree burn injuries, contact accident attorneys serving Plano today.




• Third-degree burns

  Third-degree extends to the muscles and can cause scarring, disfigurement, or even death. These victims might require skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, compression suits, physical therapy, and other medical treatments.




• Fourth-degree burns

  Fourth-degree burns damage the bone. They are life-threatening. Survivors with this injury often require amputation in addition to the medical interventions used for third-degree burns.

Our Plano burn injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw are available to consult with you and offer guidance about the next steps in your case.

The above burn degree types affect the damages awarded to burn injury victims in Plano. The higher the degree of your injuries, the more money you can typically recover. Settlements and lawsuits work this way because of how the law defines personal damages.

There are two major types of damages a court can award:

• Compensatory Damages: Compensatory damages are the primary way to repay an injury victim for losses related to their accident.
• Punitive Damages: Punitive damages extend beyond measurable damages, like medical expenses, and encompass extreme hurt. In these instances, the defendant's behavior is so disgraceful that the court orders them to pay more money to punish the heinous act. Plano personal injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw might seek punitive damages if a reckless driver or negligent coworker caused your burn injuries.

To reach a settlement amount, lawyers will take the following into account:

• Medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Lost wages and benefits
• Lost future wages
• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering

As a result, more severe injuries tend to warrant more extensive compensation. For example, first-degree burns do not often merit coverage. If a court awards damages or your attorney settles, it will likely be low since the losses associated with this injury are also low.

By contrast, third-and-fourth-degree burns require long-term care. These victims receive higher payouts because their mental, physical, and practical costs are more significant.

If you live in Plano and are coping with burn injuries, know that help is close at hand. The lawyers of Carabin Shaw are here for you. We offer a free initial consultation and case review, during which we will listen to you, look over relevant materials, and answer questions.

To get in touch, fill out this online form or call us at 800-862-1260. We look forward to hearing from you.