DEGREES OF BURN INJURIES

A BURN INJURY IS CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE SEVERITY OF DAMAGE INCURRED

• First-Degree Burn – The outer layer of skin is damaged; redness, swelling and pain may be present; Often stings immediately after contact with heat source, lasting for several days or weeks.
• Second-Degree Burn – First layer of skin (epidermis) is burned through, and second layer (dermis) is damaged; blisters, severe pain and swelling.
• Third-Degree Burn – Damage extends into the full depth of the skin and reaches the underlying tissue; Underlying muscle tissue, tendon, fat and bones may be damaged or destroyed.
• Fourth-Degree Burn – The deepest tissue of skin is severely damaged; Often there is no pain and the burn area is stiff. Healing does not typically occur on its own, and this type of burn usually involves severe injury to muscle, tendons, or bone.

COMMON CAUSES FOR BURN INJURY INCLUDE:

• Workplace Injuries
• Automobile Accidents
• Electrical Cord Fires or Other Electrical Accidents
• Defective Products
• Apartment Building or Home Fires
• Scalding Water or Pipes
• Recreational Fires (Hotels, Restaurants, Retail, Nightclubs)

IF YOU RENT YOUR HOME OR APARTMENT:

Many instances of burn injuries happen when apartment buildings or homes catch on fire. Even if your home or apartment are not on fire themselves, you may still be at risk from a fire coming from an adjacent building.

Landlords have a responsibility to keep their properties in the best condition possible, including following all codes and safety standards by law. Not all landlords live up to these responsibilities, while some landlords may even pressure tenants against taking legal action despite their negligence being the cause of a fire and resulting burn injuries.

If a landlord doesn’t maintain their property to safety standards and a fire occurs that injures the tenant as a result, the landlord may be held liable for the damages.

SOME OF A LANDLORD’S LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Ensuring the property’s electrical wiring and outlets are in safe and good condition
• Having a safe, reliable fire escape – as well as keeping the fire escape clear in case of emergency
• Making sure that smoke alarms are positioned properly and in operable condition
• Installing fire extinguishers on the property and having them regularly serviced
• Installing fireproof doors and/or other fire safety features
• Keeping hallways and other exits clear with an established plan in case of a fire

In the event that the landlord does not follow these safety precautions, you may be able to file a lawsuit against them for negligence which caused a burn injury and/or other damages; however, there may be instances where landlords use “tricky” language in a lease agreement to convince or pressure tenants to avoid liability in case of an accident. Some leases may ask you to waive your right to a jury trial in a personal injury case, though some states do not honor these types of legal loopholes.

Josh Clayton is an experienced burn injury attorney in Shreveport, Louisiana who can successfully help you navigate local and state laws to reinforce your rights as a tenant while working hard to get you the compensation you deserve in your time of need. Irresponsible landlords need to be held accountable after they’ve failed to meet their obligations. If you’ve been injured in a fire due to your landlord’s negligence, please call us today for a free evaluation of your case.