Burn Injury

Austin, Texas

Contact us today 512.474.2001

Burn injuries vary in degrees of severity, the bodily tissues affected, and the complications that may arise. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury in Austin, Texas, you should schedule a free case evaluation with Gonzales & Gonzales, Austin personal injury lawyers.

We are a husband and wife legal team experienced in representing clients that have suffered from a personal injury. We believe everyone has the right to legal representation regardless of their financial, employment or citizenship status.

Causes of Burns

A number of outside influences may be the cause for a burn injury. Some of these can include:

• Heat
• Cold
• Chemicals
• Light
• Electricity
• Friction
• Radiation

If you or someone you know receives a burn injury, it is important to obtain emergency medical care as soon as possible. The sooner burn injuries are treated, the greater the possibility that permanent damage can be lessened.

How Burns Affect the Body

The circumstances surrounding a burn injury determine how the body is affected. The most obvious injuries are to the outer layers of skin. However, the injury may be more severe and deep enough to affect nerve endings, blood vessels, muscle tissues and even bones.
Complications that arise from a burn injury can also vary. If not properly treated, a serious burn can result in fatality. Other complications may include:

• Infection
• Deformity
• Scarring
• Shock
• Respiratory distress
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Degrees of Severity

The severity of a burn is classified in degrees and can be separated into six different categories, the first three of which are the most common. Burn degrees exceeding third degree burns are often used to describe post mortem (after death) injuries. The first three categories are described as follows.

First Degree Burn – This type of burn affects the outermost layer of the skin (epidermis). Symptoms include pain, redness and a white plaque at the site of the injury.

Second Degree Burn – This type of burn affects outermost layers, the outer dermis (papillary) layer and, in some cases the deeper dermis (reticular). Symptoms include extreme or slight pain, depending on the number of nerves in the area. Redness and superficial blistering are also typical symptoms.

Third Degree Burns – This type of burn involves a lot of pain, the loss of the epidermis and charring of the dermis. In many cases, the (hypodermis) innermost skin layer is also damaged. Scarring, loss of hair shafts and loss of keratin (skin color) often results, and skin grafting may be needed to avoid infection and to aid in the healing process.

At Gonzales & Gonzales, our reputation in the Austin community is one of personal and professional representation of each individual client, regardless of how large or small their case may be. We take the time to help our clients schedule and receive the medical care and appointments necessary to their recovery, regardless of their ability to pay for care prior to receiving a settlement. We will even schedule appointments for you and rent a vehicle for you if necessary, as well as meet you at a convenient location for appointments if you cannot get to us.

To learn more about burn injuries in the Austin and Round Rock areas of Texas, please contact our personal injury law firm today.