Pasadena, TX Burn Injury Lawyer
If you’ve suffered a serious burn in Pasadena, you already know that the physical pain is only part of what you’re dealing with. There are surgeries, skin grafts, months of rehabilitation, lost income, and bills that stack up faster than you can track them.
Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers represents Pasadena burn injury victims and families across the Houston Ship Channel corridor. We’ve helped our clients recover millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements. If you need a Pasadena, TX burn injury lawyer, we offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we win.
Why Choose Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers for Pasadena, TX Burn Injury Cases?
Attorneys Who Know the Industry and the Courtroom
Pasadena sits at the heart of one of the largest petrochemical corridors in the country. Burn injuries here often involve refineries, chemical plants, and oilfield operations. These cases require attorneys who understand how these industries work and how their corporate defense lawyers operate.
Matt Greenberg has spent 12 years as lead trial counsel in high-stakes personal injury litigation across Texas. He earned his J.D. from Baylor Law School and holds a Bachelor’s magna cum laude in both English and Political Science from Abilene Christian University. Matt has been recognized by Super Lawyers, Lawdragon, and the National Trial Lawyers. He is active in the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and has been featured by ABC, FOX, CBS, Law.com, Texas Lawbook, and Dallas Morning News.
Mike Streich brings 13 years of burn injury case experience and a background that sets him apart from most plaintiff’s attorneys. Before joining Greenberg Streich, Mike spent nearly a decade on the defense side representing corporations and major insurance syndicates, including Lloyd’s of London, in catastrophic injury and death cases involving oilfields, refineries, pipelines, and commercial vehicles. He graduated cum laude from the UH Law Center and earned his Government degree from the UT Austin. Mike has been named a Texas Rising Star by Super Lawyers multiple times and is a member of the Houston Trial Lawyers Association.
That defense-side experience means Mike understands exactly how companies investigate claims, evaluate risk, and attempt to minimize what they pay. At our firm, that knowledge works for you, not against you.
Results That Demonstrate What We Do
Our case results include a $20,030,000 settlement for a burned oilfield worker in West Texas, where contractors negligently failed to close a valve on a blowout preventer. We’ve also secured a $37.5 million verdict in a wrongful death case and a $35 million settlement in a trucking fatality. As a Pasadena, TX personal injury lawyer, our firm brings the same preparation and intensity to every case we handle.
What Our Clients Say
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“I was injured in an accident & Mike was exceptional from start to finish. He let me know the process and provided follow ups anytime there was an update in my injury case. I felt like he had a grasp of my personal situation and it was clear he definitely had my back. I would highly recommend him to anyone who wants the real.” – Jonathan Louis
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Pasadena Burn Injury Cases We Handle
Burn injuries come from a range of situations, and each one presents its own set of medical and legal challenges. The type of burn, the source of the fire or chemical exposure, and the location where it happened all affect how a case is investigated and who can be held liable. Our firm handles the following types of burn cases across Pasadena, TX:
- Refinery accidents. Pasadena’s refinery corridor creates constant risk for workers exposed to high heat, pressurized systems, and volatile chemicals. We investigate failures in process safety management and maintenance protocols that lead to fires and explosions.
- Oilfield burn injuries. Flash fires, wellhead blowouts, and equipment malfunctions in oilfields cause some of the most severe burns we see. These cases often involve multiple contractors and complex liability chains that require careful case protection from the outset.
- Explosion accidents. Chemical plant and industrial explosions produce thermal and blast-wave burns that can cover large portions of the body. We have direct experience with the aftermath of catastrophic plant events in the Ship Channel area.
- Chemical burns. Exposure to corrosive substances such as acids, alkalis, or industrial solvents can cause deep tissue damage. These injuries frequently occur during handling, transport, or storage of hazardous materials.
- Electrical burns. Contact with live wires, faulty equipment, or arc flashes results in burns that often cause internal damage not visible on the surface. Workers in construction and industrial settings face the highest risk.
- Vehicle fire burns. Burns from car accidents, truck collisions, and tanker fires can be devastating, particularly when fuel ignites on impact or defective parts contribute to the fire.
Texas Legal Requirements for Burn Injury Cases
Several Texas laws directly affect how burn injury claims are filed and resolved. Understanding these rules matters because missing a deadline or misunderstanding how fault is divided can eliminate your ability to recover compensation entirely.
Statute of Limitations. Under Section 16.003 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, you generally have two years from the date of the burn injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If the burn results in death, Section 71.004 applies, and the family has two years from the date of death. These are hard deadlines. Courts dismiss cases filed even one day late, regardless of how severe the injury was.
Modified Comparative Fault. Texas follows a proportionate responsibility rule under Chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you cannot recover damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. In burn injury cases, defendants commonly try to shift blame to the injured person for not wearing proper protective equipment or for failing to follow safety procedures. Having an attorney who can counter these arguments is critical.
Employer Liability Claims. Texas does not require private employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Employers who opt out, known as non-subscribers, can be sued directly in a personal injury lawsuit. Even when an employer carries workers’ comp, third-party contractors or equipment manufacturers may still be liable for a burn injury.
What Damages Are Recoverable in Pasadena Burn Injury Cases?
Burn injuries produce some of the highest damage awards in personal injury law because the treatment is prolonged, the pain is extreme, and the impact on quality of life is lasting. Texas law recognizes three broad categories of damages in burn injury claims.
Recoverable Economic Damages. These cover every out-of-pocket cost tied to your injury. For burn victims, that includes emergency room treatment, ambulance or Life Flight transport, hospital stays in burn units, surgeries including skin grafts and debridement, prescription medications, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and any future medical care you will need. It also includes lost wages from time missed at work and lost earning capacity if the burn prevents you from returning to the same job. A burn covering 20% of the body regularly generates over $200,000 in medical costs within the first year alone. Severe burns requiring multiple reconstructive procedures can push lifetime costs well beyond $1 million.
Non-Economic Damages Available. Burns cause suffering that goes far beyond the financial. Texas law allows recovery for physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. Scarring across visible areas of the body, the inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, and the psychological effects of a catastrophic injury all factor into this category. Severe burns that result in traumatic brain injuries from oxygen deprivation or blast force add another layer of damages. If the burn injury causes the death of a loved one, surviving family members may also seek damages for loss of companionship and consortium through a wrongful death claim.
Punitive Damages in Texas. In cases involving gross negligence or willful disregard for safety, Texas courts may award punitive damages on top of compensatory damages. These are designed to punish the defendant and deter similar conduct. Refinery operators and industrial companies that knowingly cut corners on safety protocols may face punitive damage claims. Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code caps punitive damages at the greater of $200,000 or two times economic damages plus an amount equal to non-economic damages up to $750,000, though there are exceptions for certain egregious conduct.
What Steps Should I Take After a Burn Injury?
The actions you take in the hours and days following a burn injury can significantly affect both your medical recovery and your legal claim.
- Get to safety. Remove yourself from the heat source, fire, or chemical exposure as quickly as possible. If clothing is burning, stop, drop, and roll.
- Call 911 immediately. Burn injuries worsen rapidly, and professional treatment needs to begin as soon as possible.
- Do not remove clothing stuck to the burn. Pulling fabric from a burn can tear skin and worsen the injury. Let emergency medical professionals handle it.
- Accept transport to a burn center. Pasadena-area burn victims are often transported to the John S. Dunn Burn Center at Memorial Hermann in Houston, the only ABA-verified burn center in the region. Do not refuse ambulance or helicopter transport.
- Document everything you can. Once you are stable, photograph your injuries, the accident scene, and any equipment or conditions that contributed to the burn. If you cannot do this yourself, ask a family member or coworker.
- Report the incident. If the burn occurred at work, report it to your supervisor and request a copy of the incident report. If it occurred in a vehicle accident or on someone else’s property, file a report with the appropriate authority.
- Preserve all physical evidence. Do not wash, repair, or discard damaged clothing, safety equipment, or personal items. These can be critical in establishing liability.
- Keep detailed medical records. Save every hospital bill, surgical report, prescription receipt, therapy record, and physician’s note. Track mileage to and from medical appointments.
- Do not give recorded statements. Insurance adjusters and defense investigators will contact you. Do not provide a recorded statement or sign anything without speaking to an attorney first.
- Contact a burn injury attorney. An attorney can preserve critical evidence, identify liable parties, and protect your legal rights before deadlines expire.
Pasadena Burn Injury Statistics
Pasadena, TX sits along the Houston Ship Channel, one of the most heavily industrialized stretches of coastline in the United States. The concentration of chemical plants, refineries, and petrochemical facilities in this corridor creates a burn injury risk that far exceeds what residents of most American cities face.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, the national fire death rate reached 13.1 per million population in 2023. The ten-year trend from 2014 to 2023 shows a 27% increase in per capita fire death rates. Data from the CDC’s MMWR confirms that men and those living in industrial areas face disproportionately higher rates of fire-related death.
Workplace burns are a significant subset of the national problem. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 15,000 American workers suffer burn injuries annually. OSHA fire prevention standards require employers to maintain written fire prevention plans and protective equipment programs. Despite these requirements, violations remain common in high-hazard industries.
Harris County, where Pasadena is located, is home to one of the densest concentrations of TRI-reporting chemical facilities in the nation. The EPA’s TRI National Analysis data shows that Texas consistently leads the country in total chemical releases. Pasadena has been the site of several catastrophic industrial events, including the 1989 Phillips Petroleum explosion that killed 23 workers and injured 314, the 2000 Phillips explosion that killed one and injured 71, and the 2018 Kuraray America plant explosion that injured at least 21 workers. Each of these events produced severe burn injuries among workers and, in some cases, nearby residents.
The OSHA PPE standards mandate that employers provide flame-retardant clothing and heat-resistant protective equipment to workers exposed to thermal, chemical, and electrical hazards. When employers fail to comply with these regulations, workers pay the price. And in a city like Pasadena, where refinery turnarounds and heavy maintenance cycles bring in hundreds of temporary contractors at a time, the risk of burn injuries spikes during the busiest operational periods.
Pasadena Burn Injury Lawyer FAQs
How much does a Pasadena burn injury attorney cost?
Our firm handles all burn injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and we only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is free.
How long do I have to file a burn injury claim in Texas?
The general deadline is two years from the date of injury under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. Certain circumstances can shorten or extend this window, so consulting an attorney early protects your rights.
What if my employer says workers’ comp covers everything?
Workers’ compensation limits the types of damages you can receive. If a third party, such as a contractor, equipment manufacturer, or property owner, contributed to your burn, you may have a separate personal injury claim that allows for full damages, including pain and suffering.
Can I sue my employer for a burn injury in Texas?
If your employer is a non-subscriber to workers’ compensation, yes. Texas does not require private employers to carry workers’ comp. Non-subscribers can be sued directly, and they lose several important defenses in the process.
What is the average settlement for a burn injury case?
There is no single average that applies. Burn injury settlements depend on the severity of the burn, the number of surgeries required, the extent of scarring, your age, your occupation, and the degree of negligence involved. Our firm has secured results ranging from six figures to over $20 million in burn injury cases.
How are burn injuries classified?
Burns are classified by degree. First-degree burns affect the outer layer of skin. Second-degree burns reach the underlying layer and cause blistering. Third-degree burns destroy both layers of skin and may damage fat, muscle, or bone. Fourth-degree burns penetrate even deeper. Classification affects both treatment decisions and the value of a legal claim.
What compensation can I receive for burn scars?
Texas law allows you to recover damages for disfigurement. The location, size, and visibility of scarring, along with its impact on your daily life and employment, all influence the amount.
Do I need a lawyer for a burn injury case?
Burn injury cases, particularly those involving offshore incidents or maritime injuries, often involve complex liability, multiple defendants, and aggressive corporate defense counsel. An attorney who understands these cases can typically recover significantly more than an unrepresented individual.
What evidence is important in a burn injury claim?
Medical records, photographs of the injury and accident scene, incident reports, safety inspection records, equipment maintenance logs, witness statements, and any communications with your employer or the property owner. Your attorney can also subpoena surveillance footage and internal company documents.
Can family members file a claim if someone dies from burn injuries?
Texas wrongful death law allows the spouse, children, and parents of the deceased to file a claim for lost financial support, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and funeral expenses.
What if the burn happened because of a defective product?
Product liability claims apply when a defective appliance, vehicle, chemical product, or piece of industrial equipment causes a burn injury. The manufacturer, distributor, or seller may all be liable.
How long do burn injury cases take to resolve?
Most burn injury cases in our practice resolve within 12 to 24 months, though complex cases involving multiple defendants or extensive ongoing treatment often take longer.
What if I was partially at fault for the burn?
Under Texas proportionate responsibility rules, you can still recover as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your share of responsibility.
Will I have to go to court?
Most burn injury cases settle before trial. However, our attorneys prepare every case as if it will go to a jury. That preparation is often what motivates defendants to offer fair settlements.
What should I bring to my free consultation?
Bring any medical records, photographs of your injuries, the incident report, insurance correspondence, and a list of expenses you have incurred. If you don’t have all of these, that is fine. We can begin the investigation with whatever information you have. Preparing a few consultation questions can also help you get the most from the meeting.
Most Dangerous Locations for Pasadena Burn Injuries
Pasadena’s proximity to the Houston Ship Channel places it within one of the highest-risk industrial zones in Texas. These areas have been associated with burn injuries and fire-related incidents over the past several decades:
The Houston Ship Channel industrial corridor, stretching along State Highway 225, houses dozens of chemical plants and refineries that process flammable and corrosive materials daily. The intersection of Pasadena Boulevard and Red Bluff Road sits near multiple industrial facilities with documented safety incidents. The area surrounding Jefferson Road, the site of the former Phillips Petroleum complex, has seen multiple fatal explosions over the past several decades. Fairmont Parkway and Spencer Highway corridors are adjacent to industrial operations where workers commute daily to refinery and plant jobs. Burke Road near the Ship Channel has a concentration of chemical storage and processing operations.
Workers traveling to facilities along the Beltway 8 and Highway 225 interchange also face elevated risk, as heavy industrial truck traffic carrying hazardous cargo is a constant presence on these roads.
What Are Important Local Resources for Pasadena Burn Injury Victims?
If you or a family member suffers a Pasadena burn injury, the following local resources can provide immediate medical care, emergency response, or investigative assistance. Burn injuries are time-sensitive, and knowing where to go and who to call can make a meaningful difference in the outcome. For severe burns, always call 911 first and request transport to a specialized burn unit rather than the nearest general emergency room. This list is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an endorsement by Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers.
- Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital – (281) 929-6100
- Dunn Burn Center at Memorial Hermann – (713) 704-4000. The only ABA-verified burn center in Houston.
- Shriners Children’s Texas – (409) 770-6600. Pediatric burn center located in Galveston.
- Pasadena Fire Department – (713) 475-5588
- Pasadena Police Department – (713) 477-1221
- Harris County Fire Marshal – (713) 274-6500
Contact Greenberg Streich Injury Lawyers
If you or someone in your family has suffered a Pasadena, TX burn injury, we want to hear from you. Our attorneys offer free, no-obligation consultations to review your case and explain your legal options. We work on a contingency fee, so you pay nothing unless we recover compensation on your behalf. Contact us today to get started.
