The Types of Burn Injuries Personal Injury Victims Can Experience

When you meet with your New Orleans personal injury lawyer, your lawyer will want to explore the details of your case and identify the type of burn injuries you sustained. This is how burn injuries are categorized based on their severity:

  • First-degree burns: These only affect the outer layer of your skin, resulting in redness and causing pain. They typically heal within a week without leaving a scar.
  • Second-degree burns: A second-degree burn typically impacts both the outer and underlying layers of skin, which often leads to blisters, swelling, and more intense pain than a first-degree burn. The healing process takes several weeks, and these burns often leave scars behind.
  • Third-degree burns: These burns impact all the layers of your skin, and they can potentially affect deeper tissues as well. They usually cause white or charred skin, though they may not be as painful due to the nerve damage they impose. Healing requires medical intervention, and scarring is typically permanent.
  • Fourth-degree burns: The most severe type of burn, these can penetrate your deeper tissues, including your muscles and your bones. Fourth-degree burns are life-threatening, and they often result in permanent disability or disfigurement.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

When your burn injury attorney in New Orleans starts working on your case, understanding what caused your burn injuries in the first place will be a very important matter to discuss. The exact cause of your circumstances will be specific to you based on the details of your case.

However, these are examples of circumstances that can result in burn injuries like yours:

  • Residential fires: Often caused by cooking accidents, faulty wiring, or unattended candles, these fires can spread rapidly. They usually cause physical injuries and property damage.
  • Industrial accidents: New Orleans is an industrial area, and as such, its facilities, like oil and gas, can expose workers to burn hazards. Accidents involving equipment malfunctions or safety oversights can result in serious injuries.
  • Chemical spills: Exposure to hazardous chemicals, whether in industrial settings or due to transportation accidents, can lead to chemical burns. Incidents like these require immediate medical attention to prevent long-term damage.
  • Electrical malfunctions: Faulty wiring or equipment can lead to electrical burns. These injuries may not always be immediately apparent, but they can still cause significant internal damage to those affected.
  • Motor vehicle accidents: Collisions, especially those involving fuel leaks or explosions, can result in burn injuries. The severity of these injuries will depend on the nature of the accident and the response time of emergency services.

The Statute of Limitations for Burn Injury Cases

In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, which include burn injuries, is one year from the date of the accident if you sustained your injuries prior to July 1, 2024. Those who were injured on or after this date have two years to file instead.

If you fail to file a claim within the timeframe that applies to your case, you might lose your right to pursue compensation in your case. That’s why it’s important to hire burn injury lawyers in New Orleans who can make sure you file your claim in a timely manner.

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How Comparative Fault Can Affect the Outcome of Your Case

Louisiana follows a comparative fault system. This means that a victim’s compensation might be reduced by their percentage of fault if they are determined to be partially responsible for the incident that caused their injuries.

In other words, your compensation might be lowered in proportion to your degree of fault. For instance, if you are found to be 30% at fault for the situation that resulted in burn injuries, your compensation would be reduced to 70% as a result.

Reach Out to Our Burn Injury Law Firm in New Orleans for Legal Representation Today

Suffering from a serious burn injury can change your life in an instant. In the aftermath of such an overwhelming experience, the physical pain, emotional trauma, and financial burden might feel impossible to manage on your own. Fortunately, help is available.

At the law firm of Laborde Earles, our New Orleans burn injury lawyers are ready to take on your case and stand by your side every step of the way. We’ll guide you through the legal process, advocate for your rights, and fight for full compensation on your behalf.

If you or a loved one has sustained a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, now is the time to take action. Reach out to our team today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you to the fullest extent of the law.

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