Burn Attorneys in Dallas, TX Fighting for Survivors Across North Texas
Severe burn injuries change lives in an instant. Victims often face long hospital stays, painful surgeries, and lasting physical and emotional trauma. At Arnold & Itkin, we believe no one should suffer the consequences of a preventable accident without answers. Whether a fire started in a Dallas apartment complex, an explosion erupted in a Fort Worth plant, or a worker was burned on a job site, our attorneys are here to hold the responsible parties accountable. We’ve recovered billions of dollars for burn survivors throughout the nation, including record-setting results in Texas courts.
Our Dallas burn injury lawyers are nationally recognized for fighting—and winning—the toughest cases. Attorneys Kurt Arnold and Jason Itkin are proud members of the State Bar of Texas and have earned repeated recognition in the Texas Super Lawyers list. They’ve gone toe-to-toe with some of the largest employers and insurers in the country, including right here in North Texas. When companies cut corners or ignore safety, we make them pay. Our Dallas burn attorneys never back down, because we know what’s at stake for our clients and their families.
Call (888) 493-1629 today for a free consultation with our burn injury attorneys in Dallas. We serve the Dallas-Fort Worth area, all of Texas, and the entire United States.
Our Dallas Burn Attorneys Get Life-Changing Results
Burn injuries rank among the costliest injuries in American hospitals. Generally, burn trauma units are staffed entirely with high-cost specialists, and the nature of these injuries demands 24-hour care. Additionally, the initial stay for burn injury survivors is longer than other injuries. That’s why our firm fights for the absolute maximum our clients need. We work tirelessly to ensure that not only are their immediate medical expenses covered but also their long-term care needs. This includes specialist consultations, surgeries, and any necessary reconstructive procedures.
Our burn injury case results speak for themselves:
$222 million for the widow of a plant worker fatally burned by steam.
$177.5 million for workers severely burned in an industrial accident.
$164.5 million for the family of a worker who suffered fatal burn injuries.
$125 million for the widow of a dredge worker who was fatally burned.
$92.7 million record-setting settlement for burn injury claims in the state.
$87 million for a worker who suffered life-threatening burns in a refinery accident.
$49 million for a plant worker who suffered serious burn injuries in an explosion.
$39.7 million for a worker burned in a preventable dust explosion at a plywood plant.
The above list is far from exhaustive, as we have successfully represented clients in many other burn injury and catastrophic injury cases. When you're looking for the right attorney, you need to be confident that you're working with an advocate who will stop at nothing to pursue the compensation you need to move forward with your life.
“This firm has impacted every aspect of my life, past, present, future. They pulled off some miracles. They stood up for me when nobody else would.” - Christopher Devall, Workplace Explosion Survivor
There Are Thousands of Burn Accidents in Dallas Every Year
Burns continue to pose a serious public health challenge in the Dallas area, reflecting wider trends across Texas and the Southern U.S. Per the American Burn Association Burn Injury Summary Report, the Southern region accounted for 43% of all burn center admissions between 2019 and 2023, despite comprising just 36% of the population.
In Dallas County, Parkland Health operates one of the nation’s largest and most advanced burn centers, treating approximately 2,000 burn patients per year. These include injuries from house fires, industrial accidents, chemical exposures, and vehicle fires—many of which are entirely preventable with proper safety measures and oversight.
Recent national data illustrates the scope and severity of burn injuries:
In 2022 alone, over 30,000 burn cases were treated at U.S. burn centers.
More than 9,700 patients required ICU care, accounting for over 100,000 intensive care unit days.
Flame and flash burns caused 41.7% of all admissions. More than 90% of those incidents were unintentional.
The median age of burn patients was 40. 66% were male.
Burn injuries in Dallas often involve factors such as poorly maintained gas lines, negligent employers, and defective household appliances. Whether it’s a worker burned in an oilfield explosion or a family injured in an apartment fire, the common thread is preventability. At Arnold & Itkin, our Dallas burn injury attorneys are here to demand accountability—and fight for the full compensation survivors need to recover, rebuild, and reclaim their futures.
How Burn Injury Lawsuits Work in Dallas, TX
Legal Requirements for Filing a Burn Injury Claim in Texas
If you suffered severe burns in an accident in Dallas, understanding Texas personal injury law is crucial. Burn injury claims in the state fall under Texas's modified comparative fault rule, which means you can still recover damages as long as you are less than 51% at fault for the incident. However, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility. Texas law also sets a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, including those involving burn injuries. That means you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file your claim. Missing this deadline can prevent you from recovering compensation, even in cases of clear negligence.
Where Burn Injury Lawsuits Are Filed in Dallas
Most burn lawsuits are filed in Dallas County District Courts, which handle civil personal injury claims. However, certain burn injury cases may qualify for federal jurisdiction—especially those involving:
Workplace safety violations investigated by OSHA
Defective products manufactured out of state
Claims involving interstate trucking companies or employers
Every case is different—and so is the legal strategy required. We build claims based on the unique facts, identifying all parties who may be held liable. Depending on how your injuries occurred, responsible parties might include:
Landlords or property owners who failed to maintain safe living conditions
Product manufacturers of faulty appliances, wiring, or consumer goods
Employers that ignored fire hazards or failed to provide PPE
Third-party contractors on industrial or construction sites
Why You Need a Local Dallas Burn Injury Lawyer
Burn lawsuits aren’t just about proving negligence—they’re about navigating a legal system that’s specific to our region. Dallas juries, courts, and regulatory agencies have unique expectations and processes. At Arnold & Itkin, we know how to investigate burn cases, interpret Texas safety standards, and hold powerful corporations accountable. We’ve gone up against Fortune 500 companies, major insurance providers, and manufacturers—and we’ve won. When your case needs to be filed in Dallas County or the Northern District of Texas, we’re the firm that’s ready to help.
Potential Causes of Burn Injuries in the Greater Dallas Area
Burns can happen in many different environments and scenarios. Understanding these can help one get a better idea of who is at risk and who may be held accountable. In the Dallas area, burn injuries may occur as a result of:
Workplace Accidents
Dallas is home to numerous industrial workplaces, including factories, warehouses, and construction sites. These environments often involve handling hot materials, chemicals, and/or electrical equipment, making them common settings for burn injuries. Workers may suffer burns from machinery, spilled chemicals, or electrical faults.
The Dallas-Fort Worth region is overseen by the OSHA Dallas Regional Office and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission. Our attorneys are particularly equipped to handle these cases, understanding all applicable occupational hazards and safety regulations. We've handled cases involving violations of both federal and state safety protocols, including failures reported in North Texas chemical plants and construction sites.
The busy highways and extensive trucking industry in and around Dallas mean that collisions involving semi-trucks and other large vehicles are not uncommon. These accidents can result in significant burns, especially if the truck is carrying flammable materials. The impact of a collision can cause fuel tanks to rupture, putting everyone at risk.
Chemical Plant Fires
The Dallas area has several chemical plants and industrial facilities where hazardous materials are processed. In recent years, Dallas-area residents have witnessed the devastating effects of industrial fires firsthand, including the Sherwin-Williams plant fire in Garland and the Valero refinery incident in Texas City.
These events underscore how even a single failure in safety protocols can endanger entire communities. Fires and explosions in these plants can cause severe chemical and thermal burns to workers and nearby individuals. Proper storage, handling procedures, and safety measures are crucial to prevent such incidents. We collaborate with investigators and safety experts to reconstruct the events leading to these injuries, thus building formidable claims.
Industrial Explosions
Industrial settings, such as those found in the manufacturing and oil refinery sectors in Dallas, are prone to explosions due to the presence of flammable gases and materials. Explosions can cause extensive burns and other injuries. Regular maintenance, safety checks, and adherence to safety regulations are essential to minimize these risks. Our skill in these claims brings responsible parties to light, forcing companies to take employee safety seriously.
Electrocution Accidents
Contact with high-voltage electrical sources can cause severe electrical burns. These incidents are common in construction and utility work, where workers may come into contact with live wires or faulty electrical equipment. Proper training and safety equipment are essential to protect workers from these hazards. We pursue accountability in these claims, promoting safer standards and practices within the industry in Dallas and nationwide.
Gas Explosions
Natural gas leaks in homes, restaurants, and other buildings can lead to catastrophic explosions if ignited. These explosions can cause extensive burns to anyone in the vicinity. Regular inspections and maintenance of gas lines and appliances can help prevent such accidents. Gas lines must also be properly tagged and marked. By pursuing these claims, we not only seek redress for victims but also work toward broader safety compliance.
As burn injury lawyers in Dallas, our team has the resources and knowledge to help after any incident that left you or someone you love with burns.
Burn Prevention & Employer Responsibilities in Dallas
Employers in Dallas have a legal duty to protect workers from burn hazards by enforcing safety standards, maintaining equipment, and providing adequate training. Burn injuries are often preventable, yet OSHA Region VI regularly cites employers in construction, oil, gas, and manufacturing for violations that lead to fires, explosions, and chemical burns.
PPE distribution, including flame-resistant clothing, gloves, and face shields per OSHA’s PPE standards.
Hazard communication protocols under OSHA’s HCS, ensuring clear chemical labeling and proper storage.
Employee training on flammable materials, equipment safety, and emergency response.
In high-risk industries like construction, petrochemicals, and manufacturing, safety plans must also include lockout/tagout procedures, real-time monitoring for gas leaks, and clear evacuation protocols. These efforts are not optional—they are essential for compliance with federal and state regulations.
By prioritizing proactive audits, hazard awareness, and training, employers can reduce burn risks and protect their workforce. When they don’t, they may be held liable for the harm that results.
Property owners, pipeline operators, and plant or refinery managers in the Dallas area play a critical role in preventing burn injuries among community members. Their responsibilities begin with maintaining infrastructure to the highest safety standards—ranging from conducting regular inspections and repairs to ensuring that all wiring, pipelines, or industrial equipment meet or exceed local, state, and federal regulations. By addressing potential hazards proactively, they reduce the risk of fires, explosions, or leaks that can cause burn injuries.
To protect individuals who live or work near these facilities, owners and operators should also have clear emergency response plans and coordinate closely with local authorities. This may involve installing early warning systems, monitoring pipeline pressure and refinery processes in real time, and promptly alerting residents when a hazard is detected. Facilities handling combustible materials must properly label and store them in compliance with fire codes, and they should implement comprehensive security measures to prevent unauthorized access. If owners fail to uphold these safety obligations and someone is harmed as a result, they may be held liable for negligence.
Types of Burn Injuries in Dallas Workplaces
Burns can happen in an instant—from a gas explosion at a Grand Prairie warehouse to a chemical spill in a Fort Worth lab. Our Dallas burn injury attorneys have handled cases involving all types of workplace burns, including:
Flash burns from equipment explosions or electrical arc flashes—often seen at North Texas oil and gas facilities.
Chemical burns caused by leaks of caustic substances at places such as tech plants or industrial cleaning sites.
Thermal burns from open flames, scalding pipes, or malfunctioning machinery.
Electrical burns from exposed wiring or faulty installations, especially on construction sites.
Friction and contact burns from conveyor belt entrapments or welding incidents—common in logistics jobs.
Dallas Burn Injuries & Co-Occurring Conditions
One of the most dangerous aspects of burns is co-occurring injuries. Those with burns often experience inhalation injuries because of the smoke and vapors they breathe. Inhalation injuries can cause lasting damage to the respiratory system, eyes, and other parts of the body. They are one of the deadliest aspects of combustion events. Some studies attribute 60–80% of burn victim fatalities to inhalation injury. Inhalation injuries are especially common in North Texas warehouse fires, chemical spills, and gas explosions. Victims often suffer respiratory complications that require long-term oxygen support or intubation—conditions we’ve seen in both Dallas construction sites and I-35 truck crashes.
Other studies have found that sepsis, largely caused by bacterial infection, is one of the leading causes of death during a burn injury victim's initial hospitalization. Severe burns put the human body into a deeply vulnerable state, not least because burns destroy the first line of defense against infection: the skin. Our Dallas burn injury lawyers know how to help survivors and families dealing with all the consequences of inhalation injuries, infection, and sepsis. We are committed to ensuring our clients receive expert care that addresses every facet of their recovery journey.
Degrees of Burn Injuries
Burns are categorized by the depth and severity of skin and tissue damage. We've seen every degree of burn injury, from minor scalds to devastating fourth-degree trauma. Understanding the degree of a burn isn’t just medically important—it plays a key role in determining the legal and financial recovery needed to support a survivor’s future.
Burn injuries may be categorized as:
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns affect only the outermost layer of skin and often heal with basic care. These are commonly seen in Dallas-area restaurant workers and warehouse staff exposed to overheated surfaces, hot liquids, or brief electrical contact. While less severe, they may still be compensable if caused by someone else’s negligence.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns go deeper and often result in blistering, wet-looking skin, and prolonged pain. These injuries are common in hospitality and logistics jobs in places like Arlington, where grease fires, scalding liquids, or malfunctioning machinery have led to serious injuries. Some people need skin grafts or extended rehab even for “moderate” burns.
Third- & Fourth-Degree Burns
The most severe burns destroy multiple layers of tissue—and can reach muscles, tendons, and bones. These injuries often leave permanent scarring and nerve damage. We’ve handled third- and fourth-degree burn cases from incidents such as Fort Worth warehouse explosions, oilfield accidents near Denton, and electrocution accidents on Dallas-area construction sites. These cases demand aggressive legal action and lifelong medical planning.
Legal Rights & Compensation: Why You Need a Dallas Burn Injury Attorney
Burn injuries don’t just result in pain—they change lives. In Texas, burn survivors are entitled to pursue full compensation for the damage done to their bodies, their families, and their future. Our firm has recovered millions for clients injured across North Texas, including those hospitalized at Parkland Memorial and . Whether your burns came from a kitchen fire or a tanker truck explosion, we fight for every dollar our clients are owed.
The compensation can generally be divided into two main categories:
Economic Damages
Medical expenses, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, assistive devices, and more.
Lost wages and income due to time away from work during recovery.
Diminished earning capacity for burn injuries that impact your ability to earn a living.
Property damage, if any personal property was damaged or destroyed in the incident.
Non-Economic Damages
Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional distress you've endured.
Emotional distress for psychological effects of a burn injury, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Disfigurement and scarring for permanent physical changes that affect your appearance and quality of life.
Loss of consortium for the loss of companionship, intimacy, and support caused by a burn injury.
In some cases, Texas law allows punitive damages when a company’s conduct is especially reckless. We’ve pursued these damages in cases involving repeat OSHA violations, negligent pipeline maintenance, and chemical plant mismanagement. Our Dallas burn attorneys don’t stop at the surface—we uncover every type of harm and fight to make sure our clients get what they need to recover, rebuild, and move forward with dignity.
About the City of Dallas, Texas
Dallas got its first boost of economic growth in the 1870s with the construction of railroads, along with local production of cotton, grain, and leather. Oil began to dominate the Dallas economy in the 1930s with the discovery of petroleum in nearby Kilgore and additional discoveries in the Permian Basin, along the Texas Panhandle, and the Gulf Coast. Dallas quickly became an epicenter for transportation and oil and gas markets. This historical economic foundation has led to a diverse and thriving modern city known for its strong industrial, technological, and financial sectors.
Residents of Dallas have access to some of the nation's leading facilities for burn injury treatment and recovery. The Parkland Memorial Hospital's Burn Center is one of the largest and most renowned burn centers in the United States. This state-of-the-art facility offers comprehensive care for pediatric and adult burn patients alike, including emergency services, specialized surgeries, and rehabilitation programs. The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center collaborates closely with Parkland to provide advanced medical research and cutting-edge treatments for burn injuries. These institutions offer burn survivors in the Dallas area the support and medical attention they need to heal.
Call Our Dallas Burn Injury Attorneys for Help: (888) 493-1629
When you call Arnold & Itkin, you’re turning to a Dallas burn injury law firm that’s known nationwide for getting the results that clients need. In fact, we’ve recovered billions of dollars for clients by never backing down from a fight. We know people come to us during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and we refuse to accept anything but the best for them. For us, winning a claim means helping a person rebuild after they’ve lost everything.
The Parkland Burn Center not only leads the care and treatment of burns in Dallas, but it ranks among the largest civilian burn units in the country. It’s also the first burn center in North Texas to receive verification from the American Burn Association. It treats more than 2,000 burn victims annually—a significant portion of the estimated total burn injuries that happen every year.
Who Is Responsible for Burn Injuries?
This depends on the situation. For example, employers who fail to provide a safe work environment can be responsible for burn injuries caused by workplace accidents they didn’t prevent. In other instances, a person who drives negligently and causes a car accident can be liable for the burn injuries others suffer because of it.
What Can a Burn Injury Law Firm Do to Help?
Our burn lawyers are focused on helping accident survivors secure the finances they need to move forward after their accident. Common losses a burn injury lawsuit can help recover include medical debt, lost wages, and the cost of future care. Often, those with severe injuries also deserve compensation for the loss of the ability to work, future care, and emotional suffering.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Your Dallas Burn Injury Law Firm?
Hiring a Dallas burn injury lawyer from Arnold & Itkin costs nothing. Our firm works on contingency fees. This means that we cover all upfront costs associated with a case and only collect a payment if we obtain results for a client. This makes our services attainable and risk free, and it helps clients have the peace of mind that we’re fighting for the best results possible.
What Is the Most Painful Burn Injury?
Strangely, intense pain is a favorable sign when it comes to burn injuries. First- and second-degree burns hurt more than third-degree burns because the damage hasn’t destroyed any nerve endings. Third-degree burns are more serious, in part, because they hurt less—at least directly. The tissue surrounding a third-degree burn is likely to be in severe pain.
What Is the Leading Cause of Death for Fatal Burn Injuries?
A 20-year study of pediatric burn injuries published in Critical Care found that the most common cause of fatality following a burn event was sepsis. The majority of these deaths were caused by drug-resistant bacteria. The study illustrated an often-misunderstood aspect of burn injuries: that they leave survivors in a medically vulnerable state for a long period, which inflates the cost of treatment.
