Get Legal Help And Resources For Burn Injuries

Last updated on August 20, 2024

Burns can occur anywhere and to anyone. They can occur on the job or in the comfort of your own home. Burn injuries can occur from explosions, open flames, steam, hot water, electric current and even radiation exposure.

If you have been involved in a serious accident or injury involving burns, chemical burns and/or skin grafts, seek legal help from Downs Law Firm. We can connect you with recovery resources in the Louisiana community, answer your questions about your case and help you seek the maximum compensation available to you.

Understanding The Degrees Of Burns

There are three degrees of burn injuries:

• First-degree burns involve minor tissue damage and affect only the epidermis. These burns may cause red skin, swelling and pain, but they will usually heal with minimal treatment.
• Second-degree burns involve both the epidermis and the underlying skin, known as the dermis. These burns are deeper and cover a larger surface area, causing blisters to form. If not treated, a second-degree burn can progress to a third-degree burn. Victims with second-degree burns need immediate medical attention and recovery time is usually prolonged.
• Third-degree burns are the most severe burn injuries because they affect the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis underneath. Often, these burns feel numb due to nerve and tissue loss. Healing is very slow. Third-degree burns often leave extensive scarring, so skin grafts and surgeries may be needed.

Treating Burn Injuries Is Incredibly Expensive

Burn injuries are some of the most painful and complicated injuries one can face. Over 40,000 victims are treated for burn injuries every year, according to the American Burn Association. Unfortunately, they are also one of the most expensive injuries to treat. A severe burn that covers 30% of someone’s total body area can cost between $100,000 and $700,000 in hospital, urgent care and doctor fees. In general, the more severe a burn is, the longer it will take to fully recover.

Burn Injury FAQ

Unsure if you have a claim for personal injury compensation based on a burn? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to get you started:

How do I know if I have a burn injury case?

The typical burn injury claim involves two elements:

• An injury caused by skin exposure to heat, caustic chemicals, electricity, radiation or friction
• Caused by someone else’s intentional actions to cause harm or negligent disregard for the victim’s safety

To prove your claim, you need to show that the defendant owed you a duty of care (such as a duty to drive carefully), they failed in that duty and you suffered injuries as a result.

What kind of compensation can I receive for a fire injury?

Like other personal injury claims, you can seek compensation for several effects of your burn injuries. You could claim economic damages like lost past and future wages, and the cost of your medical treatment. You might also have a valid claim for noneconomic damages like pain and suffering, and reduced enjoyment of life. Finally, in certain cases, injured people in Louisiana can receive punitive damages, which are meant to punish a defendant for intentional or egregious behavior.

Is there a time limit on when I can file a burn injury lawsuit?

Yes. Like other states, Louisiana imposes a statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits. A statute of limitations sets a time limit on how long, after discovering their injury, a potential personal injury plaintiff has to sue the responsible party.

Louisiana’s statute of limitations is quite short. Generally, you only have one year to start legal action after your burn injury happens. This is why it is crucial that you consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after suffering severe burns. If you wait too long, your claim will be dismissed, no matter how strong of a case you have.

Get Compensation To Pay For Your Treatment

Downs Law Firm can help you fight for monetary compensation to pay for your damages, including the cost of skin grafts and other treatments. At our offices in Bastrop and Monroe, you can have a free consultation with our lawyer. We are also licensed to practice in Arkansas and Mississippi. To schedule a consultation, call 318-284-8551 or send us an email.