Results from Past Burn Injury Cases
Many burn injury cases are the result of workplace accidents, and that's reflected in our results. Suffering a serious burn while on the job presents a number of challenges for plaintiffs—the chief one being that you’ll be up against multiple large companies. But our firm has routinely overcome those very same challenges dozens of times before.
Below is a sample of what we’ve been able to do for other clients with burn accident claims:
- $222 million verdict for the widow of a plant worker struck with fatal steam burns.
- $177.5 million settlement in a burn injury claim against multiple defendants.
- $125 million settlement for the widow of a dredge worker with fatal burns.
- $92.7 million settlement for a workplace accident victim that set a statewide record for burn injury claims.
- $87 million settlement for an individual who suffered life-threatening burns in a refinery accident.
- $49 million settlement for a plant worker who survived an explosion with severe and widespread burns.
Our approach with each of these cases was to pour as much time, effort, and resources into preparing them for trial. Doing this provides clients with the strongest possible claim, which is why we’ve broken multiple verdict and settlement records statewide and nationwide. In addition to monetary compensation, these cases set important precedents that hold negligent parties accountable and promote safer workplace standards across various industries. By consistently challenging large corporations, our burn injury attorneys in Baton Rouge send a strong message about the importance of maintaining rigorous safety protocols to prevent future injuries. The dedication shown in each case helps not just the affected individual but potentially thousands of workers who benefit from these legal advances.
Recent Burn Injury Cases in Louisiana & Beyond
Some of the most common ways to experience a burn injury are chemical exposure, contact with heat, or electrocution—all common hazards at plants, refineries, and industrial workplaces. Consequently, plant and refinery accidents are some of the most common sources of occupational burn injuries in Louisiana.
We’re investigating a number of explosions and fires that led to catastrophic burn injuries:
Each of these cases began with a free consultation. This consultation gives plaintiffs a chance to discuss their case with us confidentially and without obligation. We’ll answer your questions, lay out your legal options in as much detail as we can, and if you choose, we’ll get started with handling your case as soon as we’re off the phone.
Types of Burn Injuries
Fundamentally, burn injuries are the result of heat, combustion, or oxidation causing tissue damage (directly or otherwise). The reason we phrase it this way is that you don't necessarily need heat, fire, or an explosion to suffer a burn injury. We've seen chemical burns leave workers with severe respiratory damage or fatal burns from superheated water.
Three most common types of burns we've encountered include:
- Thermal Burns: A common burn caused by contact with flames, steam, hot liquids, and metals.
- Chemical Burns: These burns occur when living tissue is exposed to a destructive substance.
- Flash Burns: Burns that result from being too close to an explosion.
While chemical burns and thermal burns are a serious threat in any workplace, flash burns are especially common in the oil and gas industry. Numerous oilfield accidents were caused by flammable gases accumulating in storage tanks, around machinery, and even in the air. These gases require only a small ignition to combust; if there's enough fuel in the air, that ignition could lead to a catastrophic explosion.
Each burn type requires a specific medical approach to minimize long-term damage. For instance, chemical burns often need continuous irrigation with water to neutralize the substance, whereas treating flash burns primarily involves pain management and protection from infection due to the lack of a protective skin layer. Understanding these nuances helps victims and medical providers respond swiftly and appropriately, preventing further complications.
Inhalation Injuries
Inhalation injuries are often experienced along with burn injuries. Smoke from thermal burns or vapors from chemical burns often cause this type of injury. An ailment such as this is significant as it can cause lasting damage to the respiratory system and eyes. It can also agitate preexisting conditions or illnesses.
The symptoms of inhalation injuries include:
- Coughing up phlegm
- Irritated sinuses
- Pain or tightness in the chest
- Runny nose
- Scratchy, irritated throat
- Shortness of breath
- Stinging in the eyes
- Headaches
There are three ways that inhalation injuries usually occur: heat inhalation, systemic toxins, and smoke inhalation. Heat inhalation occurs when a victim inhales incredibly hot air. Damage to the upper airways and burns to the interior of the lungs are associated with this injury. As materials burn in a fire, systemic toxins are often released into the air. Those who are near a fire may experience confusion or loss of consciousness resulting from breathing in poisonous substances. Smoke inhalation causes between 60 and 80% of burn fatalities.
Immediate treatment is crucial to mitigate the effects of inhalation injuries, which can involve oxygen therapy or intubation in severe cases. Early intervention can significantly reduce the severity of long-term respiratory complications. Moreover, understanding the precise cause of inhalation damage aids in targeting the appropriate medical intervention, fostering better health outcomes for affected individuals.
Degrees of Burn Injuries
Burns may have a different level of severity depending on the amount of exposure to the source of injury. As a result, it is important to distinguish to which of the four levels of a burn injury that the victim has experienced. Doing this helps to clearly define the amount of treatment an injury will or has required.
First-Degree Burns
Though these types of burns are less uncommon than their more serious counterparts, they can still be very painful. Generally, first-degree burns result from quick contact with a hot item or from the friction caused by rubbing against a surface. When a first-degree burn occurs, running cool water over the area may assist with reducing pain. However, it is important not to use ice to cool a first-degree burn. Steps to healing this type of burn injury include keeping the wound clean and covering it with a bandage with no adhesive contacting the wound.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns differ from first-degree burns as they extend past the first layer of skin. Notably, second-degree burns must be assessed more to decide if emergency care is needed. If a second-degree burn is large enough, it can require medical attention. As mentioned above, it is important not to give in to the temptation of using ice on the wound. Additionally, do not pop any blisters and avoid using any topical treatments until the advice of a doctor is obtained. Keeping these open wounds clean is an essential part of the healing process.
Third-Degree & Fourth-Degree Burns
Once a burn is at a fourth-degree or third-degree level, the injury is regarded as being very severe. This level of injury extends through multiple layers of skin and can reach bone and muscle, and may even cause nerve damage. As these types of burns are frequently associated with prolonged exposure to fire, smoke inhalation is not an uncommon occurrence with victims of these burn injuries. These injuries are incredibly serious and require immediate professional medical attention. Victims of this level of burn require intensive surgery for full recovery.
If a person is suffering from third- or fourth-degree burns, please do not try and remove any clothing from the victim as this may make the wounds worse. If possible, elevate the area to decrease blood pressure at the wound.
Third and fourth-degree burn symptoms include:
- Charring
- White coloration
- Smooth, waxy appearance of skin
- Brown discoloration
- Conspicuous lack of blisters
- Raised and leathery skin texture
Burn Injury Treatment
Burn victims should seek medical care immediately after an incident. Cooling the wound with water is a temporary solution and may assist in reducing the depth of a burn. A severe burn injury is a horrific event that no person should have to experience. Recovery from such a traumatic incident can be a long, costly, and complicated process. Victims of severe burns live the rest of their lives dealing with the consequences of trauma and physical loss. However, modern medicine has increased the likelihood of successful recovery for many burn victims.
Skin Grafts
Modern skin graft procedures have increased the likelihood of burn victims living a less restricted lifestyle after recovery. Skin grafting is a process that takes skin from a healthy area and places it in an area that needs healing. This surgical procedure offers a chance of recovery for burn injuries that, in the past, were too severe to heal on their own.
Types of skin grafts include:
- Split-thickness grafts
- Full-thickness grafts
- Pinch grafts
- Pedicle grafts
Each day, industrial workers face the risk of being severely burned while on the job. More Americans die or are injured in the industrial world than in any other country. This startling fact shows how alarmingly relaxed supervisors and corporate executives are toward the well-being of their own employees. Compared to residential fires, explosions at factories and industrial plants pose a greater risk because hazardous chemicals and materials are available as fuel sources. We help victims of industrial accidents in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and nationwide.
In addition to surgical interventions like skin grafting, rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the recovery of burn victims. This may involve physical therapy to regain mobility, occupational therapy to adapt to new ways of performing daily tasks, and psychological counseling to address emotional distress. These treatments contribute to a holistic recovery, improving the quality of life for burn survivors and supporting their reintegration into daily activities and employment.
Causes of Burn Injuries in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge is an industrial powerhouse, home to some of the nation’s largest petrochemical facilities, multiple oil refineries, and nonstop commercial trucking along the I‑10 corridor. While this provides thousands of jobs, it also increases the risk of catastrophic burn injuries. Understanding where and how severe burns occur can help victims, families, and a Baton Rouge burn injury lawyer identify liable parties and pursue full compensation.
Below are the most common causes of serious burn injuries in the Louisiana Capital Region:
Petrochemical & Refinery Accidents
ExxonMobil, Shell, and other major operators run high‑temperature distillation units, hydrocrackers, and storage farms that handle millions of barrels of flammable chemicals. Equipment failure, corroded piping, or a single spark in these facilities can trigger flash fires and massive explosions, inflicting third‑degree thermal and chemical burns on workers and nearby residents.
Chemical Plant Releases
Baton Rouge’s chemical corridor produces ammonia, chlorine, and other caustic substances. Valve failures, tank over‑pressurizations, or transportation mishaps can expose employees to corrosive liquids that burn skin and airway tissue, leading to lifelong disfigurement and respiratory complications.
Oilfield & Pipeline Explosions
Louisiana’s pipeline network crisscrosses East Baton Rouge and surrounding parishes. Poorly maintained lines or excavation strikes create gas leaks that ignite without warning. Workers and first responders often suffer flame and inhalation burns before they can evacuate.
Commercial Trucking Crashes
Interstate 10 sees some of the heaviest hazmat traffic in the Gulf South. Tanker trucks carrying diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, or industrial acids can rupture in collisions, causing fuel‑fed fires or chemical clouds that scorch skin and lungs. Even non‑hazardous cargo crashes can spark vehicle fires, trapping motorists in burning wreckage.
Power Plant & Electrical Failures
Electrical arc flashes at industrial sites or utility substations release temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun within milliseconds. Blasts at power plants and similar industrial worksites can melt protective clothing and inflict deep tissue burns on linemen, maintenance crews, and bystanders.
Residential & Apartment Fires
Faulty wiring, space heaters, or defective smoke alarms routinely spark house and apartment fires in Baton Rouge’s older neighborhoods. Tenants may face severe burns and smoke inhalation if landlords ignore code violations or fail to install working fire‑safety systems.
Defective Consumer Products
E‑cigarette batteries that explode during charging, overheated kitchen appliances, and malfunctioning water heaters have all caused serious burn injuries across Louisiana. Manufacturers and retailers can be held liable when defective designs or a lack of warnings lead to household fires or scalds.
Restaurant & Food‑Service Incidents
Grease fires, pressurized fryer explosions, and superheated steam burns are possible in Baton Rouge’s bustling hospitality sector. Workers without proper safety gear or training often sustain second‑ and third‑degree burns to their hands, arms, and faces.
Burn injuries require specialized medical care—skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and years of rehabilitation. Whether the source is an industrial explosion along the River Road chemical corridor or a defective product in your own kitchen, victims have the right to pursue damages for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering.
A seasoned burn injury attorney in Baton Rouge can investigate the cause, identify every negligent party, and fight to secure the resources needed for a lifetime of recovery and care.
Who Can Be Held Accountable for a Burn Injury?
Nearly any individual or company may be held legally accountable, or liable, for a burn injury. Cases of this kind typically involve negligence and are filed as personal injury lawsuits against the defendant/s in civil court.
The following are examples of parties that could be held accountable for a burn injury:
- The manufacturer of a defective or dangerous product.
- An employer for failing to maintain a safe worksite.
- A pipeline operator for failing to repair or replace aging gas lines.
- The owner of an apartment building for negligent fire safety practices.
- A trucking company for failing to properly maintain a tanker truck or hazmat truck.
This type of lawsuit allows a burn survivor the chance to recover financial compensation for what they have endured and will face in the future. A settlement or award may cover all medical treatment, reconstructive or plastic surgery, ongoing care, lost earnings, loss of future wages, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. Although holding at-fault parties accountable cannot erase the pain and suffering you’ve already experienced, it can bring peace of mind and a better quality of life by having the treatment and support you need.
That’s our ultimate goal as Louisiana burn injury attorneys: to help improve our clients’ lives.
About Baton Rouge
Located in southern Louisiana on the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is the seat of East Baton Rouge Parish and the capital of Louisiana. Baton Rouge has a strong and diverse economy supported by the petrochemical industry, manufacturing, shipping, medical research, and, as of the early 2000s, the film industry. As of 2021, the population of Baton Rouge was 222,185.
In addition to being home to one of the largest oil refineries in the country, the ExxonMobil Baton Rouge Refinery complex, Baton Rouge is the chosen location for the headquarters of such companies as Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, BBQGuys, Piccadilly Restaurants, and Mariucci Sports. The Port of Greater Baton Rouge is one of the largest in the United States. It is the furthest upstream port on the Mississippi River capable of accepting Panamax ships, which are ocean-going vessels meeting size limits for traveling through the Panama Canal. Louisiana State University, which employs about 1,300 full-time faculty members and has more than 30,000 students, is also located in Baton Rouge.
A number of medical campuses, including research hospitals, can be found in Baton Rouge. This includes Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, which is affiliated with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Ochsner Medical Center, Baton Rouge General Medical Center – Bluebonnet, and Baton Rouge General Medical Center – Mid-City. Southeastern Louisiana University and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University both have nursing schools in the Baton Rouge medical district. The LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center is another important medical research center in the area.
Links & Resources: Baton Rouge, LA
Our Louisiana Burn Injury Lawyers Are Prepared to Fight for You
At Arnold & Itkin, our clients have secured billions of dollars thanks to our resources and investigations. When a mother of two needed help after losing mobility below the neck, we were there to make sure she received the single largest personal injury settlement in Louisiana history. Since then, nothing has changed—our Louisiana burn injury lawyers fight for maximum compensation in every case.
Absolutely no one should be forced to suffer due to the carelessness of others. Our firm understands the hardships that those who have burn injuries experience, including lost wages, medical expenses, and pain and suffering. Whether you were injured on the job or in a car accident, we have the experience that delivers results.
Contact us online or call (888) 493-1629 today to see how we can help. If we take your case, you only pay if you win.
