Louisiana
Burn Injury Attorney
Burn Injury Lawyers Fighting for Complete Recovery
Burn injuries are among the worst injuries any person can endure. Consequently, they’re among the most costly injuries to treat, according to studies from the last decade. Severe burns require around-the-clock care from specialists who aren’t employed at every hospital; as a result, burn victims often have to be transferred to special units where doctors, nurses, and other staff can treat burns effectively.
Though burn injuries have several causes, our Louisiana burn injury attorneys know they have a single factor in common: negligence. Whether an employer ignored safety rules or a driver caused a car accident that harmed others, a burn injury is virtually always preventable. That’s why Clayton, Frugé & Ward is determined to hold responsible parties accountable on behalf of burn survivors and their families.
If you or someone you love suffered a severe burn injury, call our Louisiana burn injury law firm at (225) 209-9943 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Understanding the Different Types of Burn Injuries
Burns are medically classified in three different degrees of severity. By categorizing burn injuries, it becomes easier to understand the severity of burns that an individual has experienced. A burn's “degree” is not a matter of heat or location on the body, but of depth. The deeper a burn goes, the more life-altering and long-term the healing process will be.
Burns are classified according to the following categories:
- First-Degree Burns: The most common variety of burn, it does not require serious medical treatment but is still painful. These burns are often caused by quick contact with a hot surface.
- Second-Degree Burns: These burns extend past the first layer of skin. Depending on severity, second-degree burns may require medical attention. If a wound is large enough, it will require the advice of a medical doctor.
- Third-Degree Burns: Also called a “full-thickness burn,” third-degree burns are life-threatening injuries. They occur when all layers of skin are damaged. In the worst cases, third-degree burns may extend all the way to the bone.
Burns aren't measured only in depth, though. How much a survivor's body is covered in burns will also determine the extent of treatment required to recover. For instance, a fairly localized second-degree burn may not be as difficult to treat as a first-degree burn that covers 60-70% of a patient's body.
To effectively manage these injuries, it’s crucial for victims and their families to understand the type and severity of the burn. Prompt and adequate medical assessment is essential; this ensures the appropriate treatment plan is initiated as quickly as possible. Our team of Louisiana burn injury lawyers collaborates with recognized medical experts to help ensure that our clients receive the care they need following such traumatic events.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Louisiana
Burn injuries can occur in a variety of settings, each presenting unique risks and circumstances. At Clayton, Frugé & Ward, our Louisiana burn injury attorneys frequently handle cases stemming from the following common causes:
- Workplace accidents, leading to chemical burns, thermal burns, or electrical burns
- Residential fires caused by cooking accidents, faulty wiring, heaters, or open flames
- Car accidents, including fuel tank ruptures, airbag deployment, or hot surfaces/fluids
- Defective products, such as faulty electronics, flammable materials, or industrial equipment
- Recreational activities involving campfires, grills, fireworks, or other heat sources
Apart from these common scenarios, environmental factors can also play a significant role in the increased risk of burn injuries, particularly in industrial settings where safety protocols may not always be followed. It's vital for workplaces to adhere strictly to safety guidelines to prevent such devastating incidents.
At Clayton, Frugé & Ward, we understand the devastating impact burn injuries can have on your life. Whether your injury occurred at work, at home, on the road, or during a recreational activity, our experienced Louisiana burn injury attorneys are here to help you seek justice and secure the compensation you deserve.
Pursuing Compensation for Burn Injuries in Louisiana
For burn victims, securing just compensation from at-fault parties is critical to help with the resulting medical bills and other financial challenges. Our Louisiana burn injury attorneys are committed to helping you fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Understanding the types of compensation available can help you grasp the full scope of what you may be entitled to recover.
Types of Compensation Available for Burn Injuries
Medical expenses form a significant part of the compensation, encompassing immediate medical care such as emergency room visits, surgeries, and initial hospital stays required to stabilize and treat burn injuries. Burn victims often need long-term care, including follow-up surgeries, skin grafts, and specialized treatments that can extend over months or years. Rehabilitation and therapy, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling, are often necessary to aid in recovery and adaptation to life post-injury. Additionally, compensation may cover medication and medical supplies costs, such as pain management medications, antibiotics, and necessary medical supplies like bandages and dressings.
Lost wages are another critical aspect of compensation. This includes past lost wages for the income you lost while recovering from your burn injuries and unable to work, as well as future lost earnings if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or any form of employment.
Pain and suffering compensation addresses the significant and prolonged physical pain caused by burn injuries, as well as the emotional distress resulting from the trauma of experiencing and living with burn injuries. This distress can manifest as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Disfigurement and scarring are common consequences of burn injuries that can have profound effects on your appearance and self-esteem. Compensation can address these life-altering consequences. Additionally, burn injuries can severely impact your ability to enjoy life’s activities and hobbies that you once participated in, and compensation can be sought for this loss of enjoyment and diminished quality of life.
Home and vehicle modifications are often necessary when burn injuries result in mobility challenges. You may need to modify your home with ramps, wider doorways, and accessible bathrooms, and adapt your vehicle to accommodate your new needs, such as installing hand controls or lifts.
In cases where the defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious or reckless, you might be entitled to punitive damages. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Furthermore, economic experts can assess the lifelong financial impact of your injuries, especially if these lead to permanent disability. This analysis includes potential decreases in lifetime earnings and increased costs of living due to continuous medical care and adjustments needed in daily life.
Begin Your Recovery with Our Louisiana Burn Injury Attorneys
Clayton, Frugé & Ward understands the difficulties that burn survivors are facing. Months of recovery, chronic physical pain, and rising medical debt make a burn injury one of the most difficult challenges any individual can experience. Even when the wounds have healed, burn victims often have emotional or financial losses they’ll struggle with for the rest of their lives.
Our firm advocates for our clients to help recover what they’ve lost. We believe that no one should escape the repercussions of inflicting such serious injuries, whether intentional or not. When you call our Louisiana burn injury lawyers, we will listen to your story and share how we can begin building a case to fight for your maximum recovery.
You don’t have to deal with your injuries alone—call us today to take the first step toward recovery.
Call today for a free consultation at (225) 209-9943. If we take your case, you do not pay anything unless we win.
Louisiana Burn Injury Laws & Regulations
Understanding Louisiana's specific laws and regulations regarding burn injuries is crucial for anyone seeking compensation. Louisiana follows a comparative fault system, meaning a victim's compensation can be reduced by their percentage of fault (if any) in causing the accident. This can significantly impact a burn injury claim. For example, if the defendant argues that you were 50% at fault, you could only potentially recover half the amount you are seeking in damages. For burn injury victims, whose damages often reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars range or more, this could be a significant difference in the amount recovered.
Additionally, burn injury claims must be filed within the state's statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits. In most cases, for incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2024, this is two years from the date of the incident. If the injury happened before this date, you have only one year to file a lawsuit. Failure to bring your claim within the statute of limitations will most likely lead to you losing your right to seek compensation for your injury-related damages.
Burn Injury FAQ
What Should I Do Immediately After a Burn Injury?
The moments following a burn injury are critical for both medical and legal reasons. Immediately seek medical attention to accurately assess the severity of your burns and receive proper treatment, which often involves cooling the burn and covering it with a clean cloth to prevent infection. Document the incident by taking photos of the injury and the accident site if possible, and gather contact information from witnesses. It is essential to report the incident to relevant authorities, such as a supervisor if the injury occurred at work, and to keep receipts and records of all medical treatments. You should also contact a burn injury lawyer as soon as possible for help with your serious burn injury claim.
How Can a Louisiana Burn Injury Attorney Help Me?
An experienced Louisiana burn injury attorney can greatly help you with your claim by meticulously gathering evidence, including medical records, accident reports, and expert testimonies, to build a compelling case. They can aid you in navigating complex legal proceedings, ensuring all paperwork is filed correctly and all deadlines are met. Your attorney can also handle negotiations with insurance companies that often aim to limit their payouts, striving to secure a settlement that covers all your expenses and losses. If a fair settlement is unobtainable, your attorney will be prepared to take the case to trial to advocate for your rights in court. Beyond the legal process, an attorney from Clayton, Frugé & Ward can connect you with necessary local resources and support services for your recovery.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Burn Injury Claim?
In a burn injury claim, several types of damages might be recovered. This includes economic damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, and costs related to home and vehicle modifications to accommodate disabilities. Non-economic damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life are also typically sought.
In some scenarios, punitive damages can be awarded if the responsible party's conduct was particularly reckless. Comprehensive documentation of your losses and professional evaluation to assess the full scope of your damages helps ensure that all current and future needs are addressed.
Can I File a Claim If I Was Partially at Fault for the Accident ?
Yes, under Louisiana's comparative fault system, you can still file a claim even if you are partially at fault for the accident that led to your burn injury. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for your injuries, your total compensation will be reduced by 20%, meaning you can only recover 80% of the total amount you are seeking in damages.
Insurance companies often use the rule of comparative fault to minimize how much they have to pay claimants. It's important that you work with an experienced attorney who can advocate for you against the interests of the insurance company. At Clayton, Frugé & Ward, we aggressively push back against defendants' efforts to play up victims' shared liability, working tirelessly to ensure these parties are held accountable for the harm they cause.
Can I Recover Compensation for Therapy or Counseling After a Burn Injury?
Yes, compensation for burn injury claims often includes coverage for psychological treatment. Severe burns can lead to significant emotional and psychological issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression. Treating these conditions is a crucial aspect of the recovery process.
A burn injury claim can provide compensation to cover these treatments as part of the broader category of pain and suffering damages. Mental health evaluations and treatment plans should be well documented, as this is essential for substantiating this element of your claim. Our Louisiana burn injury attorneys prioritize your psychological treatment needs as much as your physical recovery, seeking rightful compensation to help make you whole.