Lafayette Burn Injury Lawyer

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that over one million people in the United States require medical attention for burns each year. Around 20,000 people have burns involving at least 25% of their body’s surface. Sadly, some burn victims do not survive.

If you or a loved one was severely burned due to another’s carelessness or maliciousness, a Lafayette burn injury lawyer from our firm could help. We have the experience and resources to determine what caused the burn and what should have been done to prevent it.

Our personal injury lawyers in Lafayette are committed to helping accident victims receive the maximum compensation for their injuries.

Common Burn Injury Causes

Our Lafayette catastrophic injury lawyers know that serious burns require extensive medical care to prevent deadly infections.  Serious burns require extensive medical care to prevent deadly infections. Burn injuries often result in permanent disfigurement and amputations. The most severe burns are devastating both physically and emotionally.

Although many people associate burns with fires in homes or other buildings, burn accidents can stem from various situations. Other common causes of burn injuries in Lafayette Parish include:

• Chemical exposure
• Explosions
• Radiation
• Defective products
• Hot liquids or steam
• Improperly installed wiring, leading to electrical burns
• Medical heat packs, which can scald a patient
• Automobile accidents

In any of these situations, if another person caused the burn by either negligent or intentional acts, the injured party may have grounds for a personal injury lawsuit.

Types of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can occur at home, at work, and on vacation. When they do, the damage can range from a superficial wound to a catastrophic injury. The more severe and extensive your burns are, the more compensation Louisiana law could allow you to collect from the at-fault party.

There are three general classifications of burns, ranked from lower to higher in order of severity. However, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) outlines three additional classifications.

While fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-degree classifications are less common than the first three classifications, those higher-level burns can cause the most devastating and often fatal injuries. We’ve outlined these six burn classifications below:

First-Degree Burns

First-degree burns are the least severe type of burn. The burned area may be red and tender but normally does not necessarily require a trip to the doctor. However, first-degree burns caused by electricity could be more serious than immediately obvious and should receive medical attention.

In fact, accidents involving electricity are among the leading causes of work injuries. Our Lafayette industrial and plant accident lawyers understand the long-lasting financial impact of electric burns. We will help you recover your current and future expenses.

Second-Degree Burns

When someone suffers a second-degree burn, the first and second layers of skin are burned, resulting in fluid-filled blisters, pain, and temporary or permanent scarring.

In some cases, these burns require skin graft surgery to heal. Skin grafts protect the area from infection, a serious risk that can lead to complications and even death.

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns involve all of the epidermis and dermis layers of skin. They usually leave behind large scars and can lead to death if left untreated. Third-degree burns also pose a greater risk of infection because the damaged tissue is exposed.

This kind of burn can damage hair follicles and sweat glands in addition to lower layers of tissue. Third-degree burns and above usually require skin graft surgery.

Fourth-Degree Burns and Above

Finally, fourth-degree burns have all the symptoms of a third-degree burn, but the injury extends to the fatty tissue underneath the skin. Fifth- and sixth-degree burns are usually fatal, extending to the muscle, tendons, and bones.

If a loved one passed away after sustaining a burn or other severe physical injury, we extend our deepest condolences. If they were injured due to another’s negligence, it is best to contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

While nothing can bring your loved one back, a compassionate member of our legal team can help you get justice and closure through a wrongful death lawsuit. This can help with funeral expenses and even the loss of family income previously provided by the deceased.

Pursuing Compensation for a Burn Injury

Experienced Lafayette burn injury lawyers know that many burns require years of treatment to heal fully.

In the meantime, the victim may experience a significantly decreased quality of life. Not only that, but extensive burns can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in treatment and rehabilitation costs.

Injured parties who suffered a burn due to the negligence of another should consult with a local burn injury attorney to ensure they are receiving enough compensation to cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses.

Proving Negligence

A personal injury lawyer could help you prove that another party:

• Owed you a duty of care: They were obligated to act in a way that would prevent injury to you and others.
• Failed to fulfill that legal duty: Their actions were reckless, careless, malicious, or otherwise negligent.
• Caused your accident: Their negligent actions led to or contributed to the incident.
• Contributed to your damages: You suffered burn injuries and other damages, which they or their insurance company should have to cover.

How a Lafayette Burn Injury Lawyer Can Support Your Case

Our personal injury lawyers handle all aspects of a client’s burn injury case. When we represent you, our legal team can:

• Investigate the circumstances surrounding your burn injuries.
• Collect evidence against the liable party.
• Prepare and submit your claim to the insurance company.
• Communicate and negotiate on your behalf throughout the personal injury claims process.
• Give you frequent updates and guidance as the case progresses.
• Fight for you in court if we cannot reach a settlement agreement.

Laws Applicable to Louisiana Burn Injury Claims

Everyone owes a certain level of care to other people. Therefore, if someone is careless or reckless about other people’s safety, they may be liable for any resulting injuries.

According to Louisiana statute, CC Art. 2315, if someone causes damage to another person, they are obligated to “repair” the injury. The essential element of a burn injury case is establishing a direct link between the defendant’s negligent actions and the injured person’s losses.

However, accident victims don’t have long to build a case and take legal action against a liable party in Louisiana.

Personal Injury Lawsuits Are Subject to Deadlines

Even if liability for an accident is clear, personal injury cases are subject to strict deadlines, known as statutes of limitations. In most cases, the injured party and their personal injury lawyer have only two years from the injury date to file a lawsuit, per CC 3493.1.

The same time limit applies to wrongful death cases, per CC Art. 2315.2, though the window begins on the date of death rather than the date of injury.

Because it takes time to gather evidence to support a claim, victims should consider contacting an attorney as quickly as possible. When you hire our personal injury law firm, we waste no time and immediately start taking steps to support your case.

Recoverable Damages in a Burn Injury Case

If someone’s carelessness causes another to suffer severe burns, the victim is entitled to be made whole again as much as possible. The law cannot turn back the hands of time, so the personal injury claims process seeks money to attempt to compensate the victim. Compensatory damages may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium, service, and society
• Medical expenses
• Therapy and rehabilitation
• Lost wages
• Future loss of income
• Wrongful death expenses (if a loved one dies as a result of their injuries)

A burn injury attorney in Lafayette could help victims understand the monetary value of their losses and demand full compensation.

How Long does It Take to Get Financial Compensation After an Accident?

The amount of time it takes for someone to receive compensation after an accident depends upon several factors, including the type of injury sustained. If you were injured due to medical malpractice, it could take years. However, if you were involved in a car or truck accident, it might only take a few weeks.

We understand that serious burn injuries can leave you facing major medical bills, both in the past and future. During your initial consultation, we can discuss your concerns, such as getting the medical care you need while pursuing an insurance claim or lawsuit.

Your Lafayette personal injury lawyer will work hard to ensure you receive the financial compensation you need to heal from your injuries. Our goal is to recover a settlement that exceeds the amount of money you need to reach maximum medical improvement.

Reaching Out to a Lafayette Burn Injury Attorney

If you suffered injury or lost a loved one due to a serious burn injury that someone could have prevented, contact a Laborde Earles injury attorney today. A Lafayette personal injury attorney from our firm could help you seek justice and begin healing.

After a burn injury, make sure you are doing everything necessary to protect your family and get the best treatment possible. Contact us today for a free legal consultation to learn about your options.