According to the American Burn Association, approximately 486,000 Americans require medical treatment for burn injuries each year, with nearly 40,000 requiring hospitalization. These devastating injuries can occur in an instant but may require a lifetime of medical care and rehabilitation.
At Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial challenges burn victims face, and we’re committed to helping Shreveport residents secure the compensation they need to recover and rebuild their lives.
Understanding Burn Injuries in Shreveport
Burn injuries can occur in various settings—from homes and workplaces to traffic accidents—and come in several forms:
- Thermal Burns: Result from contact with flames, hot objects, steam, or scalding liquids, commonly occurring in kitchen accidents, industrial settings with hot machinery, or vehicle fires following crashes.
- Friction Burns: Happen when skin rubs forcefully against rough surfaces, such as “road rash” from motorcycle accidents on Shreveport highways or construction site incidents involving ropes or cables.
- Chemical Burns: Caused by contact with strong acids, alkalis, or other caustic substances found in industrial settings, household cleaning products, or even vehicle battery acid after accidents.
- Electrical Burns: Occur when electric current passes through the body, often in construction accidents involving exposed wiring, household incidents with faulty appliances, or contact with downed power lines.
- Radiation Burns: Typically result from prolonged sun exposure, medical radiation errors, or workplace incidents involving industrial radiography equipment.
Who Might Be Liable for a Burn Injury
Several parties may be responsible for burn injuries, depending on the circumstances:
- Landlords or property owners who fail to maintain safe premises
- Drivers who cause accidents resulting in fires
- Employers who neglect workplace safety measures
- Contractors who cut corners on electrical work or fire safety
- Product manufacturers who produce defective or dangerous items
Burn Injuries Can Be Catastrophic
Burn injuries are among the most painful and traumatic injuries a person can experience, often requiring specialized treatment at dedicated burn centers. The road to recovery can be long and difficult, with multiple surgeries, skin grafts, and extensive rehabilitation.
Burns are classified by severity, with increasing degrees indicating more extensive damage:
- First-Degree Burns: Affect only the outer layer of skin, causing redness and pain but typically healing within a week
- Second-Degree Burns: Damage both outer and underlying skin layers, creating blisters, severe pain, and possible scarring
- Third-Degree Burns: Destroy all skin layers and damage underlying tissues, appearing white or charred and requiring skin grafts
- Fourth-Degree Burns: Extend through skin and fat into muscle and bone, often requiring amputation and resulting in permanent disability
Depending on the severity, victims may face:
- New physical limitations
- Ongoing pain
- Emotional trauma
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Compromised immune function
- Social and psychological challenges
Burn Injury Victims Deserve Compensation
The financial burden of burn injuries extends far beyond initial emergency care, often resulting in ongoing medical expenses for years or even a lifetime. When someone else’s negligence causes these catastrophic injuries, victims shouldn’t have to shoulder these costs alone. At Dudley DeBosier, we fight aggressively to secure comprehensive compensation that accounts for both immediate and long-term needs, including:
- Medical treatment, including specialized burn center care and skin grafts
- Rehabilitation and therapies
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Let Our Shreveport Burn Injury Lawyers Be Your Advocate
At Dudley DeBosier, we understand the unique challenges burn injury victims face. Our legal team conducts thorough investigations to identify all liable parties, preserve critical evidence, and calculate the true lifetime cost of your injuries. We handle all communications with insurance companies, preventing them from using tactics to reduce your compensation.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our trial-ready attorneys are prepared to take your case to court. We have a proven track record of securing substantial verdicts for injury victims throughout Louisiana and will fight tirelessly to maximize your financial recovery while you focus on healing.
Contact Us Today
If you or a loved one has suffered burn injuries in Shreveport due to someone else’s negligence, don’t face this challenging time alone. The experienced burn injury attorneys at Dudley DeBosier are ready to help you pursue the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn about your legal options. Remember, we don’t just represent clients—we treat them like family. And with our contingency fee arrangement, you can rest assured that our fee is contingent on the outcome of your case.