Steps to Take After a Severe Odessa Burn Injury

After suffering a burn injury in Odessa Texas, a victims’ first priority should be to assess their injury and react accordingly. Medical care and treatment is just the first step, though, in a lengthy road to recovery. Odessa burn victims who have suffered at the hands of a negligent individual or group deserve justice.

If you or a loved one were recently severely burned due to the negligence of another, read through our five steps to take after a severe Odessa burn injury as compiled by the experts at Carabin Shaw. If you have further questions about your potential case, we offer victims a free case review / initial consultation with one of our trusted Texas attorneys.

Call the Texas burn injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw 24/7 at 1-800-862-1260 or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment.

A burn is considered serious if:

• It covers more than 15% of the body of an adult or 10% of the body of a child
• Occurs on a victims’ legs, arms, hands, feet, or face
• Is a third- or fourth-degree burn
• Third-degree burns injure at least two full layers of skin
• Fourth-degree burns are the most severe and are potentially life threatening. These burns destroy all layers of skin and can injure muscles and tendons
• Involves a young child, an elderly individual, someone in poor health or someone who has a pre-existing medical condition

• Work accidents
• Car / truck / motorcycle / bus accidents
• Electrical burns
• Scalding liquids
• Fires or explosions
• Chemical burns
• Friction burns
• Cold burns
• Radiation burns

1. Seek Medical Attention and Follow Your Treatment Plan

Odessa burn victims suffering from catastrophic or severe burns should seek medical treatment immediately. Third- and fourth- degree burns carry risk of complication, including infection, blood loss, shock, and even death. When treated properly and quickly, the outlook for severe burns can be favorable, but the injuries can also cause extensive damage in bones and organs. Depending on the severity of your injuries, surgery, skin grafting, physical therapy, and assisted care may be necessary (in addition to emotional treatments as well).

Keep any and all medical records associated with your injuries. These will be used by an attorney to prove the value of your case. If there are complications from your burn that will affect your life and / or employment, those will be taken into account to determine compensation as well.

2. Build Your Case

After receiving medical care and beginning recovery, you will need to go about building your personal injury case. This includes collecting all records, photos, and relevant documentation pertaining to your injury, medical bills, lost wages, and accident-related expenses. Our experts advise against any initial conversations with insurance agencies until you have consulted with a trusted attorney.

3. Seek the Advice and Representation of an Odessa Personal Injury Lawyer

An experienced Odessa attorney will provide you the aggressive representation you need to maximize your chances of success. A favorable outcome — and maximum damages — in a personal injury case is dependent upon a knowledgeable legal team with the resources and persistence to fight on your behalf.

4. Prove Liability

To ensure a successful personal injury case, you (along with the assistance of your lawyer) will need to prove a liable party is responsible for your burn. This will require proof that the liable party in question had a duty to keep you safe, was negligent and that the party’s negligence caused your severe burn injuries. You will also need to prove that your injury has significantly impacted or hindered your life.

Proving liability can be a burdensome task for victims alone who are already struggling with severe injuries. A contingency-fee attorney, those who are not paid unless their clients win, can be instrumental in obtaining the evidence necessary to prove liability.

5. Contact the Texas burn injury attorneys at Carabin Shaw

With the help of Carabin Shaw’s Odessa personal injury lawyers, your burn injury claim has a much higher potential for success. Our experienced attorneys fight for the maximum compensation for our clients. You have suffered enough, and we are here to help.

Call us at 1-800-862-1260 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free case evaluation.