Burn Injury

Proven Louisiana Burn Injury Attorneys Ready to Fight For You

Summary

• A burn injury can cause intense physical pain and disfigurement, and recovery often involves months in the hospital and years of rehabilitation. Burn injury survivors must also cope with the psychological and emotional challenges of a lifelong disability.
• Often, a burn injury is caused during an accident that could be due to the negligence of another party. By filing a lawsuit, burn survivors can seek compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and emotional suffering.
• Determining fault and gathering evidence are crucial parts of a successful burn injury lawsuit. A personal injury lawyer can ensure the responsible parties are held accountable and fair compensation is recovered.

Why Hire HKGC for Your Burn Injury Lawsuit

A burn injury can have a profound impact on a family. Burn injury victims often require expensive medical care, and sometimes, they require ongoing care for the remainder of their lives. On top of medical expenses associated with recovery, burn injuries can be so severe that victims are left unable to work for long periods of time, or are never able to return to work. This increases stress and uncertainty surrounding the financial effects of their injuries. There’s also the physical pain associated with burn injuries, coupled with the emotional pain of the situation, which quickly and easily overwhelms victims and their families.

With decades of experience, the dedicated team at Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain understands the complexities and medical nuances of burn injury cases. Our burn injury attorneys hire the experts needed to calculate the extent and cost of medical care you will need, and to determine the lost earnings you will sustain as a result of the personal injury. 

At HKGC, we have a proven track record of securing fair compensation for Louisiana burn victims and providing compassionate support during difficult times. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial hardships victims and their families go through. Our Louisiana burn injury attorneys will fight for justice and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve while relieving the legal burdens while you recover.

If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury, we can help. Contact HKGC online or call 1-844-943-7626 for a free consultation.

How a Burn Injury Lawsuit Can Help

Burn injury victims suffer through some of the most catastrophic and disfiguring injuries imaginable. Severe burns can cause significant physical pain, and months of expensive hospital care and years of rehabilitation may be necessary for physical recovery.

In addition to physical pain, victims of severe burns must overcome the psychological and emotional trauma associated with their injuries. Extensive counseling is often necessary to deal with such psychological trauma. All of these factors are why it’s important to file a burn injury lawsuit.

Louisiana law recognizes that burn injury victims are entitled to be made whole following an accident. There are several types of damages that you could be entitled to recover in your personal injury case, including:

• Medical expenses
• Past lost wages/future loss of earning capacity
• Physical pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Emotional pain and suffering 
• Loss of enjoyment of life

The financial pressure of mounting medical bills and expenses from a burn injury can cause significant stress and worry. When another party’s negligence caused what happened, a burn injury lawsuit can help victims get the short- and long-term care and support needed to recover and manage the life-changing impact of their injuries.

Causes of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are one of the leading causes of unintentional death and injury in the United States. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 398,000 fire or burn-related injuries. That same year, there were 252,000 reports of injuries from hot objects or substances. There were also 3,800 fire/smoke inhalation deaths, the equivalent of about one death every 2 hours and 17 minutes.

Common causes of burn injuries in Louisiana include fire-flame, scalds, contact with hot objects, electrical and chemicals. Far too often, accidents causing burn injuries are the result of poor decisions, defective or dangerous products, failure to handle equipment or materials safely, a lack of safety training, or not following proper procedures.

Some jobs are much more dangerous than others, leading to higher rates of workplace burn injuries. Construction sites are rife with hazards that can cause a range of burn types – electrical, chemical, and thermal. Offshore accidents, such as an explosion on an oil rig, may be rare, but often cause catastrophic injuries, including burns. Working on or around power lines, in industrial plants, and with dangerous chemicals can increase the risk of workplace accidents.

Car accidents are another source of burn injuries. Vehicle fires and explosions may occur after a crash or upon impact, and anyone inside the vehicle or near the accident is at risk of being injured. In fact, motor vehicle crashes involving fire caused 680 of the 3,800 fire/smoke inhalation deaths in 2021.

The Louisiana burn injury attorneys at Herman, Katz, Gisleson & Cain have represented numerous burn survivors who were harmed due to the negligence of others. We’ve worked with burn centers and other medical facilities to gather the necessary evidence for a successful personal injury lawsuit.

How to Treat Various Types of Burns

Skin has many functions. It regulates body temperature, protects the body from infections and water loss, conserves body heat, and conducts pain and touch signals. This is why burns often cause serious injuries, permanent damage, and disfigurement. In the worst cases, burn injuries can be fatal.

In 2020, there were over 29,000 national hospital burn admissions. While 52.4% were for minor burns that didn’t require surgical treatment, 1,290 (4.4%) burn victims required surgical treatment and prolonged mechanical ventilation. There were 9,340 cases involving deep burns that required surgical treatment but not prolonged ventilation. Treating burns varies greatly and depends on the severity, location, and size of the burn, as well as the age and health of the victim.

Depending on the type of burn, there are various treatment options. The following information regarding burn treatments should not be considered medical advice. Always seek medical attention if you’re unsure of the type or severity of burn, or whether at-home remedies are sufficient.

There are generally three types of burns: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree. First-degree burns affect the outer layer of skin (the epidermis). These burns are minor and can be immediately treated by running cool water over it or by applying a cool, wet compress – never ice. Other treatment of first-degree burns involves covering the area with a nonstick bandage, applying petroleum jelly a few times a day, and taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication.

The epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin are damaged when a second-degree burn occurs. Treating second-degree burns can often be done at home, but if the size of the burn area is large or it becomes infected, see a doctor immediately. Otherwise, small areas with second-degree burns can be treated similarly to first-degree burns; run it under cool (not cold) water or use a cool, wet compress, and pat it dry. Apply petroleum jelly, cover with a clean bandage or gauze, use OTC pain relievers, and change the dressing once a day (at minimum).

Third-degree burns are serious and need to be seen by a doctor as soon as possible. They damage all three layers of skin – epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis (fatty layer). Since nerves are destroyed, there may be little to no pain from third-degree burns, but they’re extremely dangerous. While waiting for medical attention, don’t remove any clothing or debris from the burn site, but remove rings and bracelets if the burn is on the hand and it can be done without touching the affected area. Referral to a burn center, like the UMC Burn Center in New Orleans, or a specialized burn unit, typically occurs for third-degree burns.

While not as common, doctors often refer to another class of burns: fourth-degree burns. These are the most severe; they destroy all layers of the skin, and they can cause damage to or destroy muscles, tendons, organs, and/or bones. Limb amputation may be required, and patient mortality risk greatly increases when someone suffers a fourth-degree burn.

The Role of Burn Centers

Burn centers have an important role in treating burn injuries after a personal injury accident, and average over 200 annual admissions. In severe cases, they can be the difference between life and death.

The University Medical Center in New Orleans is the only verified burn center between Galveston and Tampa. Our attorneys have seen firsthand the benefits of burn centers and how they give victims the best chance at recovery while limiting the extent of damage. They provide specialized, comprehensive treatment from a medical team of surgeons, physical therapists, wound specialists, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, pharmacists, and other professionals. Burn centers prevent complications and infections that may occur when victims aren’t treated properly at other medical centers or with at-home treatments.

The American Burn Association uses specific criteria for referrals to burn centers. For example, victims with burns covering more than 10 percent of the total body surface area, third-degree burns, burns on the face, hands, feet, genitalia, or major joints, and electrical burns are scenarios when a burn center should be involved.

Contact HKGC If You Suffer a Burn Injury

A crucial aspect of a burn injury lawsuit is determining who is at fault. Our Louisiana burn injury lawyers can help pinpoint the responsible parties and gather the necessary evidence for your case. Our team will also speak to your friends and family to determine who might make a good witness to discuss how the injury has affected you from both a physical and emotional standpoint.  

Louisiana burn injury cases can be very complex and require the skills of highly experienced personal injury attorneys. Experts are often needed to determine the cause and origin of the fire that led to the victim’s injuries. Likewise, medical experts are needed to determine the scope and cost of the likely necessary medical care a burn injury survivor will need in the future. If a loved one dies from their burn injuries, a lawsuit can provide much-needed compensation for surviving family members, while also holding the liable parties responsible for what happened.

The personal injury attorneys at HKGC can protect you and your family’s financial stability, advocate and negotiate for you with insurers and in the courtroom, and get you the treatment you need and deserve. If you or a loved one have suffered a burn injury, learn about your legal rights from an experienced New Orleans burn injury lawyer by calling 1-844-943-7626 or by filling out our free, no-obligation case review form.