Articles Posted in Burn Injuries

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At least four oil rig workers were critically injured, and eleven oil rig workers are missing following an explosion and fire on the mobile offshore drilling rig, Deepwater Horizon. The rig was in the Gulf of Mexico around 50 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana when the explosion and fire occurred on Tuesday, April 20, 2010, around 10 p.m. It is reported that the drilling rig is leaning badly and may become submerged. The drilling rig is believed to be owned by Transocean and is believed to be operated for BP. A hotline has been set up for family members to obtain information–call 832-587-8554.
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A Franklinton, Louisiana man driving a 2001 Ford Expedition attempted to pass four vehicles in a no-passing zone on Louisiana Highway 10 around Bogalusa, Louisiana, on Friday, April 16, 2010, resulting in a head-on collision car wreck with a 2001 Ford truck that caught on fire after impact. The drivers of both vehicles were killed. One passenger in the Ford Expedition received moderate injuries and a restrained child received serious injuries.

According to Baton Rouge, Louisiana car wreck lawyer, Scott Andrews, the driver of the 2001 Ford expedition is presumed to be at fault in causing the head-on collision because he was passing in a no-passing zone in violation of the Louisiana Highway Regulatory Act and because the car wreck occurred in the opposing lane of travel.
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I am a Baton Rouge, Louisiana medical malpractice lawyer who recently underwent a minor overnight medical procedure that resulted in an unexpected and severe burn injury to my face. When I left the hospital, the extent of the burn injury was suspected to be minor and the cause was unknown. When I got home, I realized that the burn was much more severe than I had thought and I was extremely angry. I contacted the medical facility and the director promptly returned my phone call, expressed his genuine concern, and assured me that every effort would be made to determine the cause of the burn so that no other patients would be harmed. I was satisfied with the response and no longer felt any ill-will toward the facility for what happened to me because as a medical malpractice lawyer, I realize that sometimes bad things happen, complications occur, and injuries are sustained, but that does not mean that medical malpractice has occurred. A simple and sincere phone call was all that was necessary to “calm the savage beast”.

All too often, however, I hear about medical providers faced with even minor complications or unforseen injuries who ignore their patients or, worse yet, treat their patients like it was their fault. In my humble opinion, a good bed-side manner, an empathetic ear, and an expression of concern for the patient goes along way toward reducing medical malpractice lawsuits involving accepted complications and unforeseen injuries. I would venture to say that over one-half of all of my medical malpractice consultations with potential clients begin with a recitation of how poorly the patient or his/her family felt they were treated by the medical provider after the complication or injury occurred. So, follow the Golden Rule–Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You–and we will all sleep a little better at night. Of course, if the complication or injury is the result of actual medical malpractice, even a kind and understanding health care provider should be held accountable for his/her actions.
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Two men supposedly cooking fish were rushed to Springhill Medical Center and then to LSU Medical Center’s Burn Unit in Shreveport, Louisiana, with serious burn injuries following an explosion at their Sarepta, Louisiana home on December 29, 2009. Webster Parish Deputies are investigating the true cause of the explosion. According to the United States Fire Administration, 84% of all civilian fire deaths occurred in residences in 2008. Baton Rouge, Louisiana burn injury attorney, Scott Andrews, warns residents to never leave an active cooking appliance unattended, never place hazardous or flammable liquids near a gas hot water heater, and never leave flammable materials near space heaters.
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The Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that Watts Regulator Company voluntary recalled about 900 one inch 140X-9 Temperature and Pressure Relief Valves sold through distributors nationwide from October 2006 through July 2009 for between $250 and $280. The valves were typically sold as replacement parts for large water heaters used in commercial locations and large homes. The relief valve can fail to reduce pressure and avert failure or rupture of the water heater tank and associated valves, posing rupture and burn hazard to consumers and their property. Consumers and users should immediately contact Watts Regulator to schedule a free repair or to obtain more information.
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On December 7, 2009, an 18 wheeler tanker truck overturned on the I-49 on-ramp at U.S. Highway 190 in Opelousas, Louisiana. The tractor tanker reportedly leaked sodium hydroxide, which is a hazardous chemical that can cause burns on the skin. According to Baton Rouge, Louisiana truck accident attorney, Scott Andrews, accidents involving overturned tractor trailers on interstate on-ramps and off-ramps are usually “avoidable accidents.” Tanker drivers must have a tank endorsement to operate a tanker, which endorsement is intended to ensure that the tanker operator has been trained in how to operate a tanker and its constantly shifting liquid contents. If the tractor tanker is operated in a safe manner and at a safe speed, the 18 wheeler should not overturn.

Fortunately, no one appears to have been harmed by the toxic and hazardous chemical reportedly spilled. Unfortunately, the truck driver and his employer may escape from any liability because no one was injured. Prior to the 1996 tort reform in Louisiana, operators of trucks transporting toxic and hazardous substances could be punished by awards of punitive or exemplary damages for their wanton and reckless conduct. Now, trucking companies that act in a wanton or reckless manner are no longer subject to punishment, and can only be held liable for the actual harm they cause.
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On October 28, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that about 610,000 Halloween themed flashlights manufactured in China and sold exclusively at Target stores from August 2009-September 2009 have been recalled. The $1 “Mini Flashlights (3 Pack)” with key rings and the $2.50 “Flashlight with Stencil” can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard. To avoid injury, consumers should stop using the flashlights immediately and return them to any Target store for a full refund. For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. or visit www.target.com.

According to the American Burn Association, 500,000 people seek medical treatment each year for burn injuries. Each year approximately 3,500 deaths are caused by residential fires and 500 deaths result from other sources such as motor vehicle and aircraft crashes, contact with electricity and chemicals or hot liquids and substances.
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Kirk Guidry and Scott Andrews settled a product liability case involving multiple burn injuries and deaths from a fuel-fed fire for a confidential amount. On August 6, 2002, five passengers were severely burned and two of them died from their severe burn injuries after their 2000 Chrysler/Plymouth Grand Voyager mini van (NS body 1996-2000) climbed upon and straddled a metal guard rail on Interstate 55 (I-55) in Kentwood, Louisiana, after sustaining a tire blow-out. A metal I-beam supporting the guard rail sliced the mini van’s unprotected high density polyethylene fuel tank which was located forward of the rear axle.

The Baton Rouge, Louisiana burn injury lawyers at Dué Guidry Piedrahita Andrews Courrege L.C. brought a product liability action under the Louisiana Products Liability Act, La. La.R.S. 9:2800.51, et seq., against the mini van’s manufacturer, DaimlerChrysler Corporation, alleging that the numerous skid plates, metal shields and other protective devices used on many all wheel drive vehicles and most SUVs are designed to prevent fuel tank puncture from guard rails, road debris, curbs, sign posts, etc., and were capable of preventing the fuel-fed fire that caused plaintiffs’ injuries, and therefore should have been incorporated into the design of the mini van’s fuel system. A claim was also brought against the State of Louisiana, through the Department of Transportation and Development for the unreasonably dangerous condition of the metal I-beams supporting the guard rail.
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Baton Rouge, Louisiana burn injury attorney, Scott Andrews, of the Louisiana personal injury law firm of Dué Guidry Piedrahita Andrews Courrege L.C., completed a settlement involving severe burn injuries sustained by a young woman when a deep-fat fryer overturned.

Plaintiff was injured at a retail food establishment (portable trailer) in Bastrop, Louisiana. The accident occurred as she walked by a counter where an electric counter-top deep fryer was located–she slipped on the recently mopped floor and reflexively grabbed the fryer basket handle and pulled the fryer from the counter-top spilling the hot grease all over her body. She sustained 57% total body surface second degree burns and underwent seven surgeries.

The allegedly defective fryer was a Model 301HLSMA Electric Counter-Top Deep Fat Fryer manufactured by Star Manufacturing International, Inc. The fryer was marketed for “out-of-box” installation because it comes from the manufacturer already assembled, except for the screw-in legs, and plugs into an appropriate electrical outlet. Plaintiff alleged that the deep fryer was defective because it did not include a restraining device and/or because the manufacturer did not inform the purchaser that the fryer should be restrained as it does for the gas counter-top deep fat fryers it manufactures. Star Manufacturing countered that it was not liable because the electric counter-top deep fat fryer and its warnings met all applicable standards.
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