Burn injuries are incredibly painful, and their consequences can be profound. They can affect a patient’s appearance, self-image, comfort, mobility, and career prospects. The recovery process often involves extensive medical treatment, long-term wound care, and months or years of rehabilitation. A burn injury also brings serious financial difficulties, as accident victims are unable to work while they recover, and permanent disabilities can prevent them from ever working again.

If you’ve suffered a burn injury in Lafayette, Louisiana, The Thibeaux Firm can help you hold the responsible parties accountable for what you’ve suffered and demand they compensate you fairly. Our caring and compassionate team understands what you’re going through, and we want to provide you with the support you deserve during this challenging time.

Our firm, led by founding attorney Omar Thibeaux, offers a value-driven approach to legal representation. Attorney Thibeaux is known across Louisiana as “The 25% Attorney.” He got that name because he charges a flat 25 percent fee if he wins money for your care, regardless of whether that’s at trial or the negotiating table. Most attorneys charge a 33 to 40 percent fee, but Attorney Thibeaux believes accident victims deserve the greater share of any money recovered in order to heal.

Our team is ready to meet with you at a free, no-obligation consultation. Contact us today to set up an appointment — the sooner you act, the sooner a burn injury lawyer in Lafayette, LA, can get to work on your case.

What a Lafayette Burn Injury Attorney Can Do for Your Case

A burn injury can affect every aspect of your life and make it difficult to pursue a personal injury claim on your own. A Lafayette burn injury lawyer from The Thibeaux Firm can offer substantial support during this process by:

  • Investigating the circumstances that contributed to your burn injury
  • Gathering evidence to support your claim, such as medical documents and witness statements
  • Identifying all potentially liable parties involved in the incident
  • Consulting healthcare professionals to validate the extent of your injuries
  • Preparing and organizing documentation necessary for your case
  • Filing a burn injury claim on your behalf against those responsible
  • Negotiating with insurance providers to demand fair compensation
  • Representing you in court if a settlement is not possible
  • Never charging you any more than 25% of whatever is recovered in your burn injury claim

What Compensation Can I Get for My Burn Injury?

After a burn injury, securing financial compensation is essential for covering the costs associated with your recovery and any changes in your life. Depending on the circumstances, you could be entitled to burn injury compensation for:

  • Medical Expenses – The costs of hospital stays, treatments, surgeries, medications, and any future medical care related to your burn injury
  • Lost Wages – The income you lose if your injury prevents you from working while you recover
  • Loss of Earning Capacity – Reduced earning potential if your burn injury results in a long-term disability that affects your ability to earn money in the future
  • Pain and Suffering – The physical pain and emotional distress resulting from your burn injury
  • Lost Quality of Life – Decreases in your quality of life due to the lasting effects of the burn injury

Who Is Liable for a Burn Injury in Lafayette?

Liable parties in burn injury cases can vary depending on the circumstances surrounding the injury. Identifying who is at fault is essential when pursuing a burn injury claim and determining all possible sources of compensation. Potentially liable parties in this type of case include:

  • Product Manufacturers – A manufacturer might be liable if their defective product causes a burn. For example, if an electric kettle malfunctions and scalds a consumer, the manufacturer could be responsible for selling a faulty product.
  • Property Owners – Property owners are responsible for keeping their premises safe. If a visitor suffers a burn injury due to a hazardous property condition that the owner should have addressed, the owner could be liable.
  • Service Providers – Companies or individuals that provide services, like chemical treatments or electrical work, must perform these tasks safely. If their negligence or recklessness leads to a preventable burn injury, they could be legally responsible.
  • Schools and Childcare Facilities – These institutions must protect children in their care from harm. If a child sustains a preventable burn, such as from hot playground equipment or in a science class accident, the facility could be liable.

What Are the Medical Costs for Burn Victims?

Recovering from a burn injury often requires significant and costly medical care, which can vary depending on the severity and type of the burn. Immediate expenses often include emergency care costs necessary to assess and treat the injury. For more severe burns, treatment might involve extended hospital stays, which can be very expensive. If surgery is necessary, such as for skin grafts to replace damaged tissue, the costs can balloon even faster.

After these initial treatments, some burn injury survivors require various therapies, such as physical therapy to improve mobility and occupational therapy to assist in returning to daily activities. Long-term care might also include psychological counseling to deal with the trauma of the injury and its aftermath. Medications for pain management and infection prevention are often necessary as well, contributing further to the patient’s overall medical expenses.

How Long Do I Have to File a Burn Injury Lawsuit in Louisiana?

If you suffer a burn injury in Louisiana, you have one year from the day the injury occurred to file a lawsuit against those responsible. If you miss this strict filing deadline, you could lose your right to seek compensation through the courts. This means you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after a burn injury in Lafayette.

A lawyer from The Thibeaux firm can quickly start working on your case so that you meet all legal deadlines. They will gather evidence, consult medical experts, and prepare the necessary documents to file your claim on time. By acting swiftly, you can avoid losing the opportunity to demand the compensation you deserve.

What Are the Common Causes of Burn Injuries?

Common causes of burns range from the obvious, like fire, to the less apparent, like electricity. Here are some common causes of burns, highlighting different situations and environments where they can occur:

  • Cooking – Cooking is a frequent cause of burns, particularly from exposure to hot oils, boiling liquids, or steam. Accidental splashes of or direct contact with hot surfaces while preparing food are common scenarios that can lead to cooking-related burns.
  • Open Flames – Burns from open flames are common and can occur when clothing comes into contact with a flame or when people get too close to a fire source. Common fire sources that cause such burns include candles, fireplaces, and campfires.
  • Electrical Appliances – Electrical burns often result from the use of faulty wiring or misuse of electrical devices. These burns can also occur when handling electronics in unsafe conditions, such as near water.
  • Chemicals – Exposure to acids, bases, or other corrosive substances frequently leads to chemical burns. These burns can happen at home or in the workplace if people handle or mix these substances without proper care.
  • Sun Exposure – Sunburns can result from prolonged exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. These burns occur when the skin is unprotected and exposed to sunlight for extended periods, leading to reddened, painful, and sometimes peeling skin.

What Are the Types and Degrees of Burns?

Each type of burn injury differs in its causes, the care it requires, and the potential complications it can bring. Here are the five main types of burn injuries:

  • Thermal Burns – These burns occur when your skin comes into direct contact with extreme temperatures, either hot or cold. Sources can include fire, hot liquids, steam, or icy surfaces.
  • Chemical Burns – Chemical burns happen when your skin or eyes come into contact with an irritant, such as an acid or a base. Common household cleaners, industrial chemicals, and even some types of plants can cause these burns.
  • Electrical Burns – These burns occur when electricity travels through your body. They can result from contact with exposed wires, electrical outlets, or during lightning strikes.
  • Friction Burns – Friction burns come from abrasive contact with a hard or rough surface, such as a road (“road rash”), carpet, or piece of machinery.
  • Radiation Burns – These burns result from exposure to radiation, which can include sunburns from ultraviolet light or more severe cases involving X-rays or radiation therapy.

Burns vary not only by their source but also by the severity of the injuries they cause. Doctors classify burns into three main categories called degrees. Here’s how they differ:

  • First-Degree Burns – These are the mildest types of burns, which affect only the outer layer of the skin. Signs include redness, minor inflammation or swelling, and pain. Sunburn is a common example. Usually, these burns heal within a week and might peel as they recover.
  • Second-Degree Burns – These burns are more serious as they damage the outer layer and the underlying layer of skin. Symptoms include intense redness, swelling, pain, and blisters. These burns often take longer to heal and require medical treatment to prevent infection and scarring.
  • Third-Degree Burns – These are the most severe burns, which penetrate the entire thickness of the skin and affect deeper tissues. They can cause the skin to appear white, charred, or leathery. Third-degree burns typically do not hurt at first because they damage the nerve endings. These burns are medical emergencies and require immediate professional treatment.

Contact a Burn Injury Lawyer in Lafayette

Are you or someone close in need of legal help after a burn injury? Contact The Thibeaux Firm for a free initial consultation with a Lafayette burn injury attorney. We are ready to listen to your story and discuss how we can pursue the compensation you deserve.