Holding Medical Professionals Accountable for Preventable Burn Injuries
Operating room burn injuries are among the most agonizing and life-changing injuries a patient can endure. These aren’t accidents. They are preventable failures of protocol, equipment safety, and communication. At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we represent patients in Houston who have suffered severe burns due to surgical negligence, medical malpractice, and defective equipment.
Our nationally recognized firm is built on the belief that no one should walk into a hospital for healing and leave with catastrophic injuries that never should have happened. We hold negligent healthcare providers accountable—because what happened to you matters.
Understanding Operating Room Burn Injuries: When Surgery Turns Dangerous
Operating rooms are supposed to be among the safest spaces in medicine. But when protocols aren’t followed, or when surgical teams become complacent, serious burn injuries can occur—causing permanent disfigurement, physical suffering, and psychological trauma.
Common Types of Burn Injuries in the OR
- Thermal Burns: Contact with overheated instruments, cautery tools, or scalding liquids.
- Electrical Burns: Caused by faulty electrosurgical equipment or improper grounding techniques.
- Chemical Burns: Resulting from sterilization agents, antiseptics, or spilled chemicals during prep.
Burns in the OR range from first-degree to fourth-degree, with deeper burns destroying tissue, nerves, and even bone. These injuries require extensive surgeries, months of recovery, and often a lifetime of physical and emotional care.
The Consequences Go Far Beyond Skin Deep
Burn injuries affect every dimension of a person’s life. We represent patients who are not only enduring immense pain but also navigating permanent disability, loss of independence, and deep emotional trauma.
The Impact May Include:
- Multiple surgeries, including grafts and reconstruction
- Scarring and disfigurement, impacting social and professional life
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Financial hardship due to medical bills and missed work
- Reduced quality of life or loss of identity
At Van Wey, Metzler & Williams, we build your case around the entire impact of your injury—not just what’s visible on a chart.
Operating Room Fires and Surgical Negligence
Operating room fires are rare—but when they happen, the outcome is almost always preventable and devastating. These incidents are typically the result of one or more negligent actions:
Common Causes of Surgical Burn Injuries:
- Improper Equipment Use: Tools like electrocautery devices, lasers, or fiber-optic lights can ignite oxygen-rich environments if used incorrectly.
- Failure to Control Flammable Materials: Alcohol-based prep solutions and surgical drapes must be properly handled to prevent combustion.
- Lack of Communication: In high-pressure surgical environments, even one misstep in communication can cause a fire—or delay response to one.
These incidents often result in significant burns to the face, chest, or extremities, and they demand immediate legal attention.
Defective Medical Products: When Equipment Becomes the Enemy
Not all OR burns result from human error alone. Sometimes, the equipment itself is unsafe. When manufacturers sell defective surgical tools or fail to warn of known risks, patients pay the price.
We Handle Product Liability Claims Involving:
- Electrosurgical units that overheat or short-circuit
- Defective insulation on surgical devices
- Inadequate labeling or failure to provide safety instructions
- Recalled equipment used after notice
We work with engineering and medical experts to trace these failures to their source—and demand accountability from both manufacturers and medical institutions.
What Compensation Can You Pursue?
Burn injury victims are often left with towering medical bills and long-term care needs. We pursue maximum compensation that reflects both immediate and future harm:
- Medical Costs: Surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and long-term care
- Lost Income: Wages lost during recovery and future earning limitations
- Pain and Suffering: For the intense physical and emotional toll of your injuries
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: When hobbies, work, or basic daily tasks become impossible
- Disfigurement and Emotional Distress: For the psychological impact of permanent visible injuries
Every case is different—but your recovery should be comprehensive. We make sure the value of your claim reflects the full scope of what’s been taken from you.
Building a Strong Case Requires Strong Evidence
Proving negligence in an operating room requires more than suspicion—it requires undeniable proof. That’s where we come in.
We Build Your Case With:
- Surgical and Anesthesia Records
- Internal Hospital Logs and Communication Reports
- Device Performance and Maintenance History
- Expert Medical and Engineering Testimony
- Psychological and Rehabilitation Evaluations
We approach every case with the thoroughness it demands and the personal care it deserves.
Why Van Wey, Metzler & Williams?
Nationally Recognized in High-Stakes Medical Malpractice
Our team includes some of the most respected medical malpractice attorneys in Texas. We’ve earned national recognition for tackling the toughest cases—and setting legal precedents along the way.
Decades of Focused Experience
Burn injuries require a specific skill set, both medically and legally. With more than 40 years of combined experience, we know how to untangle surgical systems, trace fault, and deliver results.
Fierce Advocates, Compassionate Allies
Our clients aren’t case numbers. They’re people who have experienced devastating harm. We treat you with respect, communicate clearly, and fight like hell for what you deserve.
Take the First Step Toward Justice
If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury during surgery in Houston—due to equipment failure, surgical negligence, or defective products—do not wait to get the answers you deserve.
