Pipeline explosion survivor Desmond Calloway shares his story of survival and recovery after a devastating fire in Louisiana. He describes the moment of the blast, the severe burns he suffered, and the long days in the hospital that followed. Desmond also explains why he turned to Arnold & Itkin when his employer failed to support him and how having someone in his corner made a difference.
While working on a pipeline job in Louisiana, Desmond Calloway’s life changed in an instant. He and his crew were cleaning the line when fire erupted. The flames killed a coworker standing beside him and left Desmond with severe burns.
“I was on fire, had fire coming from my body. I had to jump over a fence to get away.”
Desmond managed to escape and ran to the highway, where drivers rushed him to the hospital.
He spent 18 days in a burn unit, enduring pain so severe he couldn’t sleep. Even at home, his burn injuries left him dependent on his girlfriend for basic care until he regained enough strength to handle daily tasks on his own.
As Desmond focused on recovering, he learned that his employer wasn’t going to take responsibility for what had happened. The weight of mounting medical bills, lost wages, and uncertainty about his future left him with nowhere to turn.
That’s when he decided to reach out to Arnold & Itkin.
“The people at Arnold & Itkin are great because anytime I called or needed anything, it wasn’t a hesitation. Whatever I needed, they gave it to me. Just one call, and they were there to do it.”
With Arnold & Itkin by his side, Desmond was able to concentrate on healing while knowing his future was being fought for. Looking back, he shares how important that decision was for him and his recovery.
“If I wouldn’t have hired Arnold & Itkin, I don’t know where I would be. They did a good job. I’m satisfied with the outcome. I recommend them to anybody because I came out on top.”
Desmond’s story reflects what too many workers face: life-changing injuries and employers who refuse to help. At Arnold & Itkin, we stand with clients like Desmond and fight to make sure they have the support they need to move forward.
"I was working down in Louisiana at a pipeline. We were pigging, which is cleaning out the pipeline. Well, fire came out the pipe. It killed another guy that was right next to me, and it severely burned me. I was on fire, had fire coming from my body.
"I had to jump over a fence to get away from the fire.
"I ran to the highway for help, [and] some bypassers picked me up, took me to the hospital—to the burn unit. I stayed there for 18 days. I was in so much pain that I couldn’t even sleep at night. My girlfriend had to help me bathe every day until I was able to bathe myself. I mean, I didn’t know which direction to turn after this.
"I didn’t know. I didn’t know how things were going to go after this.
"I realized that my company I was working for wasn’t going to do anything for me, so at that point I decided to hire an attorney, and I hired Arnold & Itkin. The people at Arnold & Itkin are great because anytime that I called or needed anything, it wasn’t a hesitation. Whatever I needed, they gave it to me, they made sure I had it. Just one call, and they were there to do it. If I wouldn’t have hired Arnold & Itkin, I don’t know where I would be. They did a good job. I’m satisfied on the outcome.
“I recommend them to anybody because I came out on top.”
