Burn injuries rank among the most devastating personal injuries a person can suffer. Beyond the immediate physical trauma, burn victims face months or years of painful medical treatment, permanent scarring, emotional distress, and lost income. If your burn injury resulted from someone else’s negligence, you have the right to pursue compensation for your damages.

At Gibson Hill Personal Injury, our Houston burn injury lawyers understand the profound impact these injuries have on your life and your family. We work directly with burn injury victims to investigate their cases, prove liability, and recover the maximum compensation available under Texas law. With over 13 years of combined experience handling catastrophic injury cases, we bring both legal expertise and genuine compassion to every client we represent.

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our founding partners, Ty Gibson and Brett Hill, personally handle each case, ensuring you receive direct attorney involvement rather than being passed to junior associates or paralegals.

Why Choose Gibson Hill Personal Injury for Your Burn Injury Case

When you suffer a serious burn injury, you need a law firm that combines legal skill with personalized attention. Gibson Hill Personal Injury offers both.

Direct Attorney Involvement

Unlike large personal injury firms that handle hundreds of cases simultaneously, we limit our caseload to ensure each client receives the attention their case deserves. Ty Gibson and Brett Hill personally handle your case from start to finish. You work directly with the attorneys making decisions about your claim, not with paralegals or junior associates. This hands-on approach allows us to develop a deep understanding of your injuries, your medical needs, and your goals for recovery.

Trial Experience

We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This approach strengthens our negotiating position and ensures we’re ready to advocate for you in court if necessary. Ty Gibson was selected to The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, recognizing his trial advocacy skills. Brett Hill completed extensive advocacy training through South Texas College of Law‘s competitive advocacy program and maintains federal court admissions across multiple districts, including the Texas Eastern, Southern, and Western Districts.

Contingency Fee Structure

We understand that serious injuries create financial hardship. You shouldn’t have to worry about attorney fees while recovering from a burn injury. We represent burn injury victims on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Our fee comes only from the settlement or verdict we obtain on your behalf.

Multilingual Staff

Houston’s population is diverse, and we serve it accordingly. Our team speaks English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Mandarin, ensuring language barriers never prevent you from receiving quality legal representation.

Experience with Catastrophic Injuries

Burn injuries are catastrophic by nature. They often result in permanent scarring, disfigurement, loss of function, and psychological trauma. Our attorneys focus on catastrophic injury cases, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and severe burns. We understand how to value these complex cases and how to present them effectively to insurance companies and juries.

Understanding Burn Injuries and Your Legal Rights

What Are Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries occur when skin and underlying tissue are damaged by heat, chemicals, electricity, or radiation. The severity of a burn depends on several factors: the temperature of the heat source, the duration of exposure, the size of the affected area, and the victim’s age and overall health.

Burn Injury Statistics

Burn injuries affect a significant portion of the American population. According to the American Burn Association, approximately 398,000 burn injuries occur annually across all settings in the United States. Of these, approximately 32,500 require hospitalization at specialized burn centers, and between 3,000 and 4,000 people die from burn-related injuries each year. In Texas, workplace burn injuries are particularly common in the oil and gas industry, construction, and manufacturing sectors.

Types of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries fall into four primary categories based on their cause:

• Thermal Burns result from contact with flames, hot liquids, steam, or hot surfaces. These are the most common type of burn injury and frequently occur in workplace accidents, vehicle fires, and home accidents.
• Chemical Burns occur when skin contacts corrosive substances such as strong acids or bases. Chemical burns can be particularly severe because the chemical continues to damage tissue until it’s completely removed from the skin.
• Electrical Burns result from contact with electrical current. These burns can cause both external skin damage and internal tissue damage as the electrical current travels through the body, potentially damaging the heart, muscles, and nerves.
• Radiation Burns result from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation or, in rare cases, ionizing radiation. While sunburns are the most common form of radiation burn, severe radiation burns can occur in industrial or medical settings.

Burn Severity Classifications

Medical professionals classify burns by degree, with each degree indicating increasing severity:

• First-Degree Burns affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). The skin appears red and may be slightly swollen and painful, but blistering does not occur. First-degree burns typically heal within a week without scarring.
• Second-Degree Burns (also called partial-thickness burns) damage the epidermis and extend into the dermis, the layer beneath. These burns cause redness, blistering, swelling, and significant pain. Healing typically takes 2-3 weeks, and scarring may occur.
• Third-Degree Burns (also called full-thickness burns) destroy the entire thickness of the skin, extending into the subcutaneous tissue beneath. The burned area may appear white, charred, or leathery. Third-degree burns require skin grafts and extensive medical treatment. Scarring and permanent disfigurement are common.
• Fourth-Degree Burns extend beyond the skin into muscle and bone. These are the most severe burns and often result in permanent disability or death. Fourth-degree burns require emergency medical care and extensive reconstructive surgery.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Houston

Burn injuries in Houston frequently result from:

• Workplace accidents in oil refineries, chemical plants, construction sites, and manufacturing facilities
• Product liability involving defective appliances, flammable materials, or inadequate safety warnings
• Premises liability when property owners fail to maintain safe conditions or warn of burn hazards
• Motor vehicle accidents involving vehicle fires or explosions
• Negligence by individuals or businesses that fail to exercise reasonable care

Long-Term Consequences of Burn Injuries

Severe burn injuries create lifelong challenges. Beyond the immediate pain and hospitalization, burn victims often face:

• Permanent scarring and disfigurement affecting appearance and self-esteem
• Loss of function if burns damage joints, tendons, or muscles
• Chronic pain that persists long after the initial injury
• Psychological trauma including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder
• Infection risk requiring ongoing medical monitoring and treatment

When You Have a Legal Claim

You have the right to pursue compensation if your burn injury resulted from someone else’s negligence. Negligence occurs when someone fails to exercise reasonable care, and that failure causes you injury. Examples include:

• An employer failing to provide proper safety equipment or training
• A manufacturer selling a defective product that causes burns
• A property owner failing to maintain safe conditions or warn of burn hazards
• A driver causing a vehicle fire through reckless driving
• A contractor using improper procedures that result in burns

If your burn injury resulted from negligence, you may recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

How We Prove Liability in Burn Injury Cases

Proving liability in a burn injury case requires establishing four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages. Our attorneys work systematically through each element to build a compelling case.

Establishing Duty

First, we establish that the defendant owed you a legal duty of care. In most burn injury cases, this is straightforward. Employers owe employees a duty to maintain safe working conditions. Property owners owe visitors a duty to warn of known hazards. Manufacturers owe consumers a duty to design safe products and provide adequate warnings.

Proving Breach

Next, we demonstrate that the defendant breached this duty through negligent conduct. We gather evidence showing what the defendant did (or failed to do) that violated their duty of care. This might include:

• Safety records showing inadequate training or equipment
• Maintenance records showing failure to repair hazardous conditions
• Product design documents showing failure to include safety features
• Witness testimony describing the defendant’s negligent actions
• Expert testimony explaining industry standards the defendant violated

Establishing Causation

We then prove that the defendant’s breach directly caused your burn injury. This requires showing both “cause in fact” (the injury wouldn’t have occurred but for the defendant’s conduct) and “proximate cause” (the injury was a foreseeable result of the defendant’s conduct).

Documenting Damages

Finally, we thoroughly document all damages resulting from your burn injury. This includes medical records, bills, wage statements, expert testimony about future medical needs, and documentation of pain, suffering, and emotional distress.

Investigation and Evidence Gathering

Our investigation begins immediately. We:

• Visit the accident scene to document conditions and take photographs
• Obtain incident reports and safety records
• Interview witnesses while their memories are fresh
• Retain medical experts to review your injuries and treatment
• Consult with burn specialists about long-term prognosis
• Gather employment records, wage statements, and medical bills
• Retain accident reconstruction experts if necessary

Expert Testimony

Burn injury cases often require expert testimony. We work with:

• Burn specialists who testify about the severity of your injuries and long-term prognosis
• Medical economists who calculate the cost of future medical care and lost earning capacity
• Life care planners who document ongoing medical and personal care needs
• Accident reconstruction experts who explain how the burn injury occurred
• Industry experts who testify about safety standards and industry practices

Burn Injury Compensation and Damages

Texas law allows burn injury victims to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages resulting from their injuries.

Economic Damages

Economic damages compensate you for financial losses directly caused by your burn injury.

• Medical Expenses include all costs associated with treating your burn injury: emergency room care, hospitalization, surgery, skin grafts, wound care, medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling. For severe burns, medical expenses often extend for years or decades as you undergo reconstructive surgeries and ongoing treatment.
• Lost Wages compensate you for income you lost while recovering from your injury. If your burn injury prevents you from returning to your previous job, we calculate your lost earning capacity—the difference between what you would have earned and what you can now earn given your injuries.
• Other Economic Damages may include costs for home modifications, assistive devices, transportation, and in-home care services.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate you for harm that doesn’t have a direct financial cost but profoundly affects your quality of life.

• Pain and Suffering compensates you for the physical pain associated with your burn injury and its treatment. Burn injuries cause intense pain during the acute phase and often result in chronic pain that persists for years.
• Permanent Scarring and Disfigurement damages compensate you for visible scarring and disfigurement resulting from your burn injury. These damages recognize both the physical appearance changes and the emotional impact of living with visible scars.
• Emotional Distress and Psychological Trauma damages compensate you for depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other psychological injuries resulting from your burn trauma.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life damages compensate you for your inability to engage in activities you previously enjoyed due to your burn injuries.

Factors Affecting Settlement Amounts

Several factors influence the value of your burn injury claim:

• Burn severity (degree and percentage of body affected)
• Victim’s age (younger victims have longer life expectancies and higher lifetime damages)
• Permanent scarring and disfigurement
• Loss of function or permanent disability
• Medical prognosis and future treatment needs
• Impact on earning capacity
• Strength of liability evidence
• Insurance policy limits
• Jury pool characteristics (if the case goes to trial)

How We Calculate Your Claim Value

We don’t rely on simple formulas or rules of thumb. Instead, we conduct a thorough analysis of your specific situation:

• We document all past and projected future medical expenses
• We calculate lost wages and lost earning capacity
• We research comparable burn injury settlements and verdicts
• We consult with medical experts about your long-term prognosis
• We assess the strength of liability evidence
• We evaluate insurance coverage available
• We consider how a jury would likely value your non-economic damages

This comprehensive approach ensures we pursue the maximum compensation your case warrants.

Our Process for Burn Injury Claims

Understanding what to expect helps you feel more confident as your case progresses. Here’s how we handle burn injury claims:

Step 1: Free Consultation and Case Evaluation

Your case begins with a free, no-obligation consultation. We listen to your story, review your medical records and incident reports, and ask detailed questions about your injuries and their impact on your life. We explain Texas burn injury law, discuss your legal options, and answer your questions. If we believe you have a viable claim, we explain how we can help and discuss our contingency fee arrangement.

Step 2: Investigation and Evidence Gathering

If you hire us, we immediately begin investigating your case. We visit the accident scene, obtain safety records and incident reports, interview witnesses, and gather medical documentation. We retain experts as needed and begin building the factual foundation for your claim.

Step 3: Medical Expert Coordination

We work with burn specialists and other medical experts to thoroughly document your injuries, treatment, and prognosis. These experts provide crucial testimony about the severity of your injuries and your long-term medical needs.

Step 4: Demand and Negotiation

Once we’ve completed our investigation and gathered expert opinions, we prepare a detailed demand letter to the defendant’s insurance company. This letter explains the facts of your case, the law supporting your claim, and the damages you’ve suffered. We demand compensation and work to reach a fair settlement.

Step 5: Settlement or Trial Preparation

If the insurance company makes a reasonable settlement offer, we discuss it with you and help you decide whether to accept. If settlement negotiations fail, we prepare your case for trial. We prepare witnesses, organize evidence, develop trial strategy, and prepare opening and closing arguments.

Step 6: Trial Representation

If your case goes to trial, we represent you before a jury. We present evidence, examine witnesses, cross-examine the defendant’s witnesses, and advocate for maximum compensation. Why some personal injury cases go to trial involves complex factors we evaluate carefully.

Timeline Expectations

The timeline for burn injury cases varies depending on case complexity and whether settlement is reached:

• Simple cases with clear liability: 6-12 months to settlement
• Complex cases requiring expert testimony: 12-24 months to settlement
• Cases proceeding to trial: 18-36 months from injury to verdict

Additionally, we will keep you informed throughout the process and explain any delays or developments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries

Contact Gibson Hill Personal Injury for Your Free Burn Injury Consultation

Burn injuries create profound physical, emotional, and financial challenges. You shouldn’t face these challenges alone. Gibson Hill Personal Injury offers experienced legal representation focused on helping you recover the maximum compensation available under Texas law.

We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our burn injury lawyers in Houston offer free consultations to evaluate your claim and explain your legal options. Our law firm is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you take the first step toward recovery.

Call us today at (713) 659-4000 or complete our online contact form to schedule your free consultation. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin investigating your case and protecting your rights.

Don’t let the statute of limitations pass. Consequently, you have only two years from the date of your injury to file a burn injury lawsuit in Texas. Contact a burn injury attorney in Houston from Gibson Hill Personal Injury today.