Burn injuries are among the most painful and life-altering injuries a person can suffer. Whether caused by fire, chemicals, electricity, or scalding liquids, severe burns often require long-term medical care, multiple surgeries, and extensive emotional recovery. If your injury happened due to another party’s negligence—whether in a workplace accident, apartment fire, car crash, or product malfunction—you may have the right to pursue compensation.
But how much is a burn injury lawsuit actually worth in Texas? The answer depends on several factors. This guide breaks down what courts consider when determining the value of a burn injury claim and how an experienced attorney can help you seek the maximum possible recovery.
What Types of Compensation Are Available in a Burn Injury Case?
A burn injury lawsuit may allow you to recover both economic and non-economic damages. These include:
1. Medical Expenses
- Emergency care
- Hospital stays and surgeries
- Skin grafts and reconstructive procedures
- Medications, wound care, and burn-specific treatment
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Long-term or lifetime care for severe burns
2. Lost Wages and Reduced Earning Capacity
- Time missed from work during recovery
- Loss of future earnings if you can’t return to your prior job
- Disability benefits or vocational retraining costs
3. Pain and Suffering
- Physical pain from the injury and treatment
- Emotional trauma, including PTSD or depression
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
4. Punitive Damages (in rare cases)
In cases involving gross negligence, such as a company ignoring fire safety violations or knowingly selling a defective product, a court may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar misconduct in the future.
What Factors Affect the Value of a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
No two cases are the same. The potential value of a burn injury lawsuit depends on:
- Severity of the burns: First-degree burns typically result in lower settlements than second- or third-degree burns, especially when skin grafts or amputation are required.
- Location and visibility of scarring: Burns to the face, hands, or other visible areas often carry a higher emotional and psychological impact.
- Extent of disfigurement or disability: More extensive or disabling injuries typically increase the value of the claim.
- Duration of recovery: Long-term or lifelong treatment can result in higher compensation.
- Who was at fault: If fault is clear and evidence is strong, settlements or verdicts may be larger.
- Comparative fault: If you were partially responsible for the incident, your compensation may be reduced under Texas’s proportionate responsibility laws.
Is There an Average Settlement for Burn Injury Cases?
There is no actual “average” payout, but rough ranges can help illustrate potential value (note that these are broad estimates):
- Mild to moderate burns (1st/2nd degree): $25,000–$150,000
- Severe burns (2nd/3rd degree with permanent scarring): $150,000–$1 million+
- Burns resulting in disfigurement, disability, or wrongful death: $500,000–several million dollars
At Rochelle McCullough LLP, we evaluate each case based on its own facts—carefully documenting all medical expenses, emotional suffering, and long-term impact to demand the compensation you truly deserve.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Burn Injury in Texas?
Liability depends on how the burn occurred. Potentially responsible parties might include:
- A landlord or property manager who failed to fix electrical hazards or install smoke detectors
- A driver who caused a crash resulting in a vehicle fire
- A manufacturer who sold a defective space heater, battery, or kitchen appliance
- An employer who failed to provide protective gear or training in high-risk jobs
- A daycare, nursing home, or hospital where a vulnerable person was improperly supervised
Once liability is established, your attorney can pursue a claim against the responsible party or their insurer.
What Is the Deadline to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, including burn injury cases, is two years from the date of the incident. If you wait too long to file, you may lose your right to seek compensation altogether.
However, there may be exceptions (e.g., if the injury involves a government entity or if the victim is a minor). To protect your rights, speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Talk to a Texas Burn Injury Attorney About Your Case
Burn injury cases can be complex, emotional, and high-stakes. Between rising medical costs, insurance tactics, and the trauma of recovery, it can be hard to know what’s fair or what steps to take next. By working with the burn injury attorneys at Rochelle McCullough, you can obtain the medical and financial resources you need to recover. Contact us today for a free consultation.