It is virtually impossible to go through your entire life without ever experiencing a burn injury. While painful, these injuries are generally temporary and resolve on their own without medical intervention. However, severe burns require medical treatment and may have a lifelong impact on the victim. When someone else’s negligence contributed to that injury, it is only fair that they compensate the victim for those injuries.
Burns can be expensive. Second- and third-degree burns may require debriding treatments, skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and more. These types of treatments can take years, with many injured individuals undergoing multiple surgeries, such as amputations and plastic surgery. Injured parties may also need other medical interventions like lung treatments and treating secondary infections. In fact, many burn victims require lifelong medical care, where, in addition to the costs, they may experience significant pain and suffering and lost wages—but a dedicated catastrophic injury attorney could help. A Metairie burn injury lawyer could get you the compensation you deserve to support you with your recovery.
Common Types of Burns
Burns as the result of heat—otherwise known as thermal burns—are what most people think of when they think of a burn injury. Thermal burns are typically caused by fire, steam, and other sources of excessive heat. However, these are not the only types of burns. People can also experience chemical, electrical, and radiation burns.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns are relatively common in industrial workplaces. However, while not a common occurrence, people can also experience them in their homes or non-industrial workplaces. Chemicals like ammonia, bleach, household cleaners, swimming pool chemicals, and even the liquid in batteries can lead to burns. One of the trickiest things about this type of burn is that it can do substantial damage beneath the skin’s surface layer, which can be challenging to detect.
Electrical Burns
Electrical lines and appliances are the primary sources of electrical burns, but lightning can also cause this type of injury. Electrical burns may only cause minimal superficial skin damage while still resulting in substantial sub-surface damage.
Radiation Burns
Most people experience radiation burns—for example, a sunburn is the most common type. However, this injury can also stem from less common occurrences, such as radiation exposure from an industrial accident. Other sources of radiation burns can include:
- X-rays
- Nuclear energy
- Radiation therapy
- Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
Often, radiation burns seem minor. However, they can lead to long-term tissue damage and even mutations, which can result in the development of cancer.
The type of burn is essential for the medical team to decide on an appropriate treatment plan. However, the type of burn is also vital for legal professionals to establish fault in Metairie burn injury lawsuits. Demonstrating how the burn occurred could help a lawyer demonstrate who is responsible. Under Louisiana’s comparative negligence laws, when the other party had any amount of responsibility for the burn, the victim may be entitled to financial compensation.
Determining Fault for Burn Injuries
There are often multiple parties responsible for burn injuries. While this can complicate a lawsuit, it can also increase the likelihood of financial recovery. Various circumstances can lead to liability for a burn injury, such as:
- Fires
- Chemicals
- Explosions
- Defective products
- Industrial accidents
- Construction accidents
- Electrical malfunctions
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Food preparation and service
To determine fault, a skilled Metairie attorney could examine whose actions and behaviors contributed to the burn injury and determine whether those involved owed a “duty of care” to the victim and whether they breached that duty.
Often, multiple people are responsible for a burn injury. For example, in a car accident, another party’s negligence may have caused the collision. In contrast, a manufacturing defect may have led to a fire. In such scenarios, the injured party can pursue claims against all the wrongdoers.
Reach Out to a Metairie Burn Injury Attorney Today
Burn injuries can be severe injuries that lead to lifelong pain and suffering, emotional trauma, or disfigurement. The financial, emotional, and physical toll of these injuries can feel overwhelming. While the legal system cannot undo the harm you endured, it can provide the compensation needed to help you recover.
In Louisiana, there is a one-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims. Even when you are unsure about filing a lawsuit, seeking guidance from a seasoned Metairie burn injury lawyer is important. An attorney could explain your rights, responsibilities, and potential remedies, as well as outline the timeframe for any potential claims or suits. Schedule a consultation to discuss your case today.
