Burn injuries can cause profound physical and emotional trauma. If you were burned in an accident that wasn’t your fault, a Metairie personal injury lawyer can help you pursue damages.
Our firm secured a $7.51 million burn and electrical injury settlement for a client who suffered catastrophic electrical and burn injuries due to unsafe rigging practices. This result demonstrates our ability to handle complex burn injury cases and fight for maximum compensation for seriously injured burn clients.
Poolson | Oden has secured more than $31 million for clients like you over the past five years. If you or someone you love was burned in an explosion, a burn and explosion injury lawyer in Metairie can help you file a claim and obtain a fair settlement.
Why Hire a Metairie Burn and Explosion Injury Lawyer?
After a serious explosion, insurance companies and corporate representatives begin looking for ways to limit their liability.
A Metairie burn and explosion injury lawyer can help hold them accountable for your injuries by:
- Investigating the cause of the explosion: A lawyer can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and work with experts to determine the exact cause of the accident and who is responsible.
- Calculating your damages: A lawyer can assess both your current and future losses and calculate your claim’s value.
- Handling insurance negotiations: A lawyer can communicate with insurance companies and seek a settlement that reflects the true extent of your injuries.
- Taking your case to court: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, a lawyer can file a lawsuit and present your case before a judge or jury.
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What Types of Damages Can You Recover?
As a burn injury victim, you are likely to experience steep medical bills. The costs of treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care can quickly accumulate, placing significant financial strain on you and your family.
If someone else’s negligence contributed to your injury, you have the right to a variety of damages, including:
- Medical bills
- Future medical treatment
- Long-term disability
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages (in rare cases)
How Long Do You Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Louisiana?
According to Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.1, you typically have two years from the date of a burn injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you don’t file before this deadline, you will likely lose the right to seek compensation.
Time is of the essence in burn injury cases, which is why it’s important to consult a burn and explosion injury attorney in Metairie as soon as possible.
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What if the Accident Is Fatal?
If you recently lost a loved one in an explosion, you could file a wrongful death claim and pursue damages such as:
- Medical bills
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost wages and benefits
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of household services
- Mental anguish
While no amount of money can bring back your loved one, a wrongful death claim can help provide closure and financial security for your family.
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Who is Liable for Burn Injuries Caused by an Explosion?
Liability for burn injuries depends on the circumstances that led to the explosion. In some cases, more than one party may share responsibility.
Parties who may be held liable for your injuries include:
- Property owners: Owners have a duty to address fire hazards.
- Employers: Employers may be responsible if workplace safety violations, inadequate training, or defective equipment contributed to the incident.
- Manufacturers: Companies that design or produce defective products, machinery, gas lines, or electrical equipment may be held liable when those defects cause an explosion.
- Contractors and subcontractors: Construction companies and maintenance crews may be responsible if their negligent work contributes to an accident.
- Utility companies: Gas providers and other utility companies may face liability if improperly maintained infrastructure contributes to an explosion.
- Property management companies: Managers responsible for maintaining buildings and equipment may be liable if they fail to address known safety concerns.
What Evidence Do You Need to Prove Negligence?
To recover compensation in a personal injury claim, you generally must show that another party acted negligently and that their negligence caused your injuries.
The following types of evidence can help support your case:
- Accident reports: Fire department reports, OSHA findings, police reports, and incident reports may provide important information about the cause of the explosion.
- Photographs and videos: Images of the accident scene, damaged equipment, your burn injuries, and property damage can strengthen your case.
- Witness statements: Testimony from coworkers, bystanders, residents, or other witnesses may help establish what happened before, during, and after the explosion.
- Medical records: Treatment records, physician notes, and diagnostic tests can connect your injuries to the accident and show the extent of the harm you suffered.
- Maintenance and inspection records: Documents that show missed inspections, inadequate repairs, or ignored safety concerns may help prove that someone failed to address known hazards.
- Expert testimony: Engineers, fire investigators, medical professionals, and other experts can help explain who caused the explosion and how severe your injuries are.
How Does Comparative Negligence Work in Louisiana?
Louisiana enforces a modified comparative negligence system with a 51% bar. Under this rule, fault is assigned proportionally, allowing for recovery even if you are partially responsible for the accident. However, if you are found to be partially liable for your injuries, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you are found to be 20% responsible for an accident, and your damages total $100,000, your compensation would be reduced to $80,000.
If you are found to be at least 51% at fault for the accident, you will be barred from recovering damages.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Explosions can occur in many different environments and for a variety of reasons.
Common causes of burn injuries include:
- Oil and gas leaks
- Chemical explosions
- Electrical malfunctions
- Defective machinery
- Defective consumer products
- Welding accidents
- Propane tank failures
- Improper handling of hazardous materials
- Negligent maintenance of equipment
Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are categorized by degree based on how deeply they penetrate the skin’s layers.
Here’s how it breaks down:
- First–degree burns: These burns affect only the outer layer of skin and typically cause redness, pain, and minor swelling. Most heal without significant scarring.
- Second–degree burns: These burns extend into deeper layers of skin and often cause blistering, severe pain, and an increased risk of infection.
- Third–degree burns: These burns destroy multiple layers of skin and may damage underlying nerves. Victims often require skin grafts, surgeries, and an extensive recovery period.
- Fourth–degree burns: These severe burns extend into muscles, tendons, ligaments, or bone and can result in permanent disability, amputation, or even death.
What to Do After an Explosion in Metairie
Everything you do after an explosion matters. Be sure to:
- Seek immediate medical treatment: Prompt medical care helps connect your injuries to the accident.
- Report the incident: Notify the property owner, employer, supervisor, or other appropriate authority as soon as possible.
- Document the scene: If it is safe to do so, take photographs and videos of the accident scene, damaged equipment, and any visible injuries.
- Save evidence: Keep all damaged clothing, safety equipment, and any other items related to the accident.
- Obtain witness information: Collect names and contact information from anyone who witnessed the incident.
- Consult a lawyer: Our explosion lawyers can start investigating the accident and gathering evidence for your claim right away.
Call Our Burn Injury Lawyers Today
Most personal injury attorneys are unlikely to handle your burn injury claim successfully. At Poolson | Oden, we have a dedicated team of Metairie burn and explosion injury attorneys who understand the severity of your condition and know how to recover compensation for your losses.
Schedule a free case review to find out how you can pursue justice.