Houston Burn Injury Attorney
Severe burns can change everything in an instant. You may be facing surgeries, intense pain, scars, time away from work, and questions about how you will pay for the care you need. In this difficult time, having an experienced burn injury attorney on your side can make a real difference in how you move forward.
At Matthews & Associates, we represent people and families whose lives have been upended by catastrophic injuries, including serious burns from fires, explosions, electrical incidents, and dangerous products. Since 2005, our firm has grown into a nationwide practice with more than 20 attorneys handling complex personal injury and mass tort cases.
Our team secured a $17 million recovery for a young girl burned in an explosion and fire caused by a utility company's negligence, along with a second $17 million recovery in a related case arising from the same incident — both resolved during trial. These results reflect the kind of complex fire and explosion litigation our firm is built to handle, from proving causation to documenting a lifetime of future medical needs.
We offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis. That means you do not pay us upfront for our legal services. Our goal is to provide strong, honest representation while keeping you informed at every step.
To talk with our team about what happened, you can call (888) 923-7001 or contact us online today.
We may file or settle a claim individually or as part of a group on a case-by-case basis.
Whether your claim is filed individually or as part of a group fighting the same defendant, our goal is always to provide each of our clients with individual attention. This boutique-level service, combined with our national litigation powerhouse capabilities, ensures you receive both personalized care and the resources necessary to take on the largest corporations and manufacturers.
What is a Burn Injury?
A burn injury occurs when the skin or underlying tissue is damaged by heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, or friction. While some burns are relatively minor, others can cause permanent disfigurement, nerve damage, infections, and life-threatening complications.
Burn injuries are classified by severity, including:
- First-degree burns – Affect only the outer layer of skin and often cause redness and pain.
- Second-degree burns – Damage deeper skin layers and may result in blistering and scarring.
- Third-degree burns – Destroy multiple layers of skin and can damage nerves, muscles, and tissue.
- Fourth-degree burns – Extend beyond the skin into muscle and bone and are often catastrophic.
Severe burn injuries frequently require hospitalization, reconstructive surgeries, and extensive rehabilitation. Victims may also face emotional trauma associated with visible scarring and physical limitations.
Common Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can happen in many different ways. Some of the most common types include:
- Thermal Burns: Thermal burns are caused by direct exposure to flames, hot liquids, steam, or heated surfaces. These injuries commonly occur in house fires, workplace accidents, and vehicle collisions.
- Chemical Burns: Chemical burns result from exposure to hazardous substances such as acids, cleaning products, or industrial chemicals. These burns can continue damaging tissue until the chemical is removed properly.
- Electrical Burns: Electrical burns occur when an electrical current passes through the body. These injuries can damage internal organs, muscles, and nerves even when external injuries appear minor.
- Radiation Burns: Radiation burns may result from excessive sun exposure, medical treatments, or industrial accidents involving radioactive materials.
- Friction Burns: Friction burns happen when skin rubs forcefully against a rough surface. Motorcycle accidents and roadway collisions often cause severe friction burns known as “road rash.”
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Houston
Burn injuries can happen almost anywhere, but many are caused by preventable negligence. Common causes include:
Why You Need a Houston Burn Injury Lawyer
Burn injury claims are often complex and involve extensive medical evidence, expert testimony, and aggressive insurance companies. Without legal representation, victims may struggle to recover fair compensation.
At Matthews & Associates, we work to:
- Investigate the cause of the accident
- Collect medical records and evidence
- Consult with burn specialists and experts
- Calculate long-term damages
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- Fight for maximum compensation in court if necessary
Insurance companies frequently attempt to minimize payouts or blame victims for their injuries. Having experienced legal representation can make a major difference in the outcome of your case.
How Burn Injury Settlements Are Valued
Placement: after the existing "Compensation Available in a Burn Injury Claim" section. That section lists what you can recover; this one explains how those figures are actually calculated, which demonstrates real expertise and targets high-intent searches like "how much is a burn injury worth" and "burn injury settlement calculator."
Because no two burn injuries are alike, there is no fixed formula for what a case is worth. Serious burn claims are among the highest-value personal injury cases precisely because the harm is often permanent and the future costs are substantial. Several factors drive the valuation:
- The severity and depth of the burn. Third- and fourth-degree burns, which destroy tissue and can damage nerves, muscle, and bone, carry far greater value than more superficial injuries.
- The total body surface area (TBSA) affected. Burn specialists measure the percentage of the body burned — often using the "rule of nines" — because larger burns generally mean longer hospitalization, more surgeries, and greater lifetime impact.
- The location of the burn. Burns to the face, hands, or joints can cause disfigurement and loss of function that affect both quality of life and earning capacity.
- Future medical needs. Skin grafts, reconstructive surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation frequently continue for years. A thorough claim projects these costs rather than counting only the bills already incurred.
- Lost earning capacity. If a burn survivor cannot return to their previous work — or to any work — the claim should account for a lifetime of diminished income.
- Non-economic harm. Pain, emotional trauma, and the psychological toll of visible scarring are compensable, though they require careful presentation to a jury or insurer.
Insurance companies often anchor early offers to past medical bills alone, ignoring the future. Building the full, long-term picture — frequently with input from burn specialists, life-care planners, and economists — is central to how our firm pursues maximum compensation.
What to Do After a Serious Burn Injury
The steps you take after a burn injury can protect both your health and your ability to recover compensation. If you or a loved one has been seriously burned:
- Get emergency medical care immediately. Prompt treatment is critical to survival and recovery, and it also creates the medical record that documents the severity of your injury.
- Follow all treatment recommendations. Gaps in care can harm your recovery and give insurers an argument to reduce your claim.
- Preserve evidence if you safely can. Photograph the scene, the source of the fire or explosion, and your injuries as they heal. Keep any defective product involved.
- Gather documentation. Save medical records, bills, and any incident or accident reports.
- Do not give a statement to an insurance company first. Adjusters may seek recorded statements early, hoping to shift blame or minimize your injury before you understand its full extent.
- Consult a burn injury attorney before accepting any offer. A lawyer can preserve time-sensitive evidence, identify liable parties, and protect you from settling for less than your case is worth.
Because Texas generally allows only two years to file a personal injury claim, and because critical evidence can disappear quickly after a fire, acting promptly matters.
We're Ready to Fight For You!
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“Matthews & Associates is one of a kind.”
Matthews & Associates is one of a kind. They treat you with respect. They support you when needed. Plus they have locations in Texas and California with wonderful customer service. Bilingual service is always available.- Sorangel T. -
“They are so helpful, kind, and knowledgeable.”
I love these guys! They are so helpful, kind, knowledgeable, smart, and good with people. They answer all your questions and if they don't know the answer, it doesn't take them long to get you the answer! I wouldn't want anyone else to handle my suit. They are AWESOME!- Genie S. -
“Very professional from the beginning”
- Jeffrey E.Very professional from the beginning. always answered questions and had amazing follow through on insuring data submitted was accurate
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“Matthews and Associates are very informative. Kept me up to date on what was happening with my case.”
- Ron S.Matthews and Associates are very informative. Kept me up to date on what was happening with my case. They were always polite when they were talking to me. Very professional and polite.
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“Very informative and professional.”
- Lydia C.Very informative and professional. Answer thoroughly all my questions and concerns.
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“Always available & answers questions promptly.”
I've been working with Matthews & Associates for 2 years. I am impressed that the firm is always available and answers questions promptly. I am very satisfied with the services they provide and would recommend them.- Kweli Y.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a burn injury case worth?
The value of a burn injury claim depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, medical expenses, lost income, permanent scarring, and long-term disability. Severe burn cases often result in substantial settlements or verdicts due to the lifelong impact of the injuries.
How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in Texas?
Texas generally has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. However, certain circumstances may affect the filing deadline. It is important to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Can I recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Possibly. Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. You may still recover compensation if you were less than 51% responsible for the accident, although your recovery could be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Do burn injury cases go to trial?
Many burn injury claims settle through negotiations, but some cases proceed to trial if insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation.
Do I have a case if the burn happened at work?
Possibly, and it may extend beyond workers' compensation. If a third party — such as a product manufacturer, contractor, or property owner other than your employer — contributed to the injury, you may have a separate claim for additional damages. This is common in industrial, refinery, and construction burn cases.
Who pays for my medical care while my case is pending?
This depends on your circumstances and may involve health insurance, workers' compensation, or other arrangements. In many cases, because we work on a contingency-fee basis, you can pursue your claim without paying attorney's fees upfront while your case proceeds.
What if my child suffered a burn injury?
Claims involving children can account for a lifetime of future care and often follow different timing rules than adult claims. Because a child may need repeated surgeries as they grow, valuing these cases requires careful long-term planning.
Can I still bring a claim if the burn happened outside Texas?
Yes. While our principal office is in Houston, Matthews & Associates is a nationwide firm and represents burn injury victims across the country. We can evaluate your claim regardless of where the injury occurred.
How long will my burn injury case take?
It varies. Some claims resolve through negotiation in months, while cases involving severe injuries or disputed liability may take longer, particularly if a fair settlement cannot be reached and the case proceeds toward trial. We work to resolve claims efficiently without sacrificing their full value.
Contact a Houston Burn Injury Lawyer Today
Burn injuries can leave victims facing enormous medical costs, physical pain, and emotional suffering. If your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence, you should not have to carry the financial burden alone.
Matthews & Associates is committed to helping burn injury victims pursue the compensation they deserve. Our team understands the challenges burn survivors face and works aggressively to protect their rights every step of the way.
Contact our team today at (888) 923-7001.
