BACK
A serious burn can change a person’s life. The injury may cause severe pain, expensive medical bills, permanent scars, emotional distress, and time away from work.
If someone else caused the burn through negligence, a defective product, or an unsafe condition, you may be able to seek compensation through a personal injury claim.
The amount you may recover depends on the injury, the costs it causes, and how it affects your life.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Burn Injury in Louisiana?
A burn injury claim can cover the costs of your injury and the ways it affects your daily life.
You may be able to seek compensation for:
- Medical bills, including hospital care, surgery, medicine, and rehabilitation
- Future medical treatment and other ongoing care
- Lost wages while you recover
- Lost future income if the injury affects your ability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Emotional distress and other effects on your quality of life
Serious burns can require long-term care. Treatment may include skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, physical therapy, and mental health care.
What Affects the Value of a Burn Injury Claim?
No two burn injuries are exactly alike. The amount of compensation can change based on the seriousness of the injury and how it affects the injured person.
How Serious Is the Burn?
A serious burn usually needs more treatment and can cause longer-lasting problems.
For example:
- Minor burns may need little medical treatment.
- Deep burns may require surgery, hospital care, and rehabilitation.
- Severe burns can cause permanent scars, nerve damage, or loss of movement.
Where Did the Burn Happen?
The burn’s location can also matter. Burns on the face, hands, arms, legs, or other visible areas may cause scarring, movement problems, or emotional distress.
Will the Injury Have Long-Term Effects?
Some burn injuries continue to affect a person long after the accident.
These effects can include:
- Permanent scars
- Limited movement
- Ongoing pain
- Emotional distress
- Trouble returning to work
A claim can include the future effects of the injury, not just the problems you face right after the accident.
Who May Be Responsible for a Burn Injury?
The person or company responsible for the accident may also be responsible for paying damages.
Depending on what happened, this could include:
- A driver who caused a vehicle fire
- A property owner who failed to keep the property safe
- An employer who failed to provide proper safety measures
- A manufacturer who made a defective product
- A company responsible for a dangerous chemical
For example, if a defective appliance causes a house fire and someone is badly burned, the manufacturer may be responsible. If unsafe working conditions cause a chemical burn, the employer may be responsible. The evidence will help show who caused the accident and whether they can be held responsible.
How Are Medical Expenses and Future Treatment Included?
Medical treatment can make up a large part of a burn injury claim.
Costs may include:
- Emergency care
- Hospital stays
- Surgery
- Skin grafts
- Medication
- Rehabilitation
- Future medical procedures
Some people need treatment for years after a serious burn. A claim can account for these future medical needs.
Keep your medical records, bills, and treatment information. These records can show what care you needed and how much it cost.
Can You Receive Compensation for Scarring and Emotional Distress?
Yes. A burn injury can affect much more than a person’s physical health.
Permanent scars or changes in appearance can affect confidence, relationships, and everyday activities. A serious burn can also lead to anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Compensation may cover losses related to:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Changes to your daily life
- Reduced quality of life
How Is Fault Determined in a Louisiana Burn Injury Claim?
To recover compensation, you generally need to show that another party’s negligence caused your injury.
This usually means showing that:
- The person had a duty to act safely.
- They failed to do so
- Their actions caused the accident.
- You were injured as a result.
Evidence can include accident reports, medical records, photos, witness statements, safety records, and product information.
Louisiana also follows comparative fault rules. If you are partly responsible for the accident, your compensation may be reduced based on your share of fault.
FAQs
What Should I Do After a Burn Injury Before Contacting a Lawyer?
Get medical care first and follow your doctor’s advice. If possible, take photos of your injuries and the accident scene, and keep your medical records and bills.
How Long Does a Burn Injury Claim Take in Louisiana?
There is no set timeline. It can take weeks, months, or longer depending on the injury, evidence, insurance company, and whether the case goes to court.
Will I Need to Pay Any Fees Upfront to Start My Claim?
Ask the firm about its fee arrangement during your consultation. Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, so you do not pay attorney fees upfront.
What Evidence Should I Gather for a Burn Injury Claim?
Keep medical records, bills, accident reports, photos, witness information, and anything else that shows how the burn happened and how it has affected your life.
Conclusion
A serious burn can lead to medical bills, lost income, permanent scars, pain, and emotional distress. A personal injury claim may help cover these losses when someone else caused the accident.
Allan Berger & Associates, P.L.C. helps people with serious burn injuries and other personal injury claims. Contact the firm for a free consultation to discuss your case.
