Many New Orleans residents work at nearby chemical plants. Like construction, factory, and oil refinery work, chemical plants are one of the most dangerous work environments in which people can be employed. If you suffered chemical plant burn injuries in a work-related accident or as a civilian, you may have grounds for a legal claim.
There are multiple ways your New Orleans chemical plant burn injury lawyer can help you recover the compensation you need to avoid financial ruin. As if your burn injuries were not bad enough, the emotional and financial toll can often make you feel as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders.
A well-respected New Orleans chemical plant injury lawyer from Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers is here to alleviate that burden 24/7, so contact our office to request a 100% free consultation today.
Statute of Limitation for New Orleans Chemical Plant Burn Injury Claims
After everything you have been through, the thought of pursuing a legal claim may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, it is important to take action as soon as possible so your New Orleans personal injury lawyer can get started on your claim well before the statute of limitations expires. The type of claim you are pursuing will determine how long you have to file your claim.
For example, as of July 1, 2024, the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is two years from the date of the accident.
However, this is a recent law change, so if your accident happened before the law changed on July 1, 2024, you would have just one year to file your claim per the former statute of limitations guidelines under LA R.S. § 23-1209. This can be confusing, which is why it is so important to contact your New Orleans chemical plant burn injury attorney for insight.
If you are an injured chemical plant employee, you may also be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits since Louisiana requires all employers with at least one employee to carry workers’ comp protection insurance, according to the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC).
You will typically have just one year from the accident date to file a workers’ compensation claim per the LWC. You must also report your injury to your employer within 30 days, or you could be risking your right to workers’s comp benefits.
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504-500-1111Chemical Plant Burn Injuries Can Happen in Many Ways
Understanding how your chemical plant accident happened will help us determine who is responsible. Sometimes, accidents happen to even the most experienced chemical workers, but when someone else’s negligent actions have contributed to the accident, they should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Some of the most common types of accidents we see at chemical plants that can cause burn injuries include:
- Chemical spills
- Equipment malfunctions
- Failure to properly train chemical plant workers
- Lack of available personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals
- Explosions and fires
These are only a few examples of ways that chemical plant accidents can cause burns. The type of accident you were involved in and how it occurred will determine who is responsible and which legal options are available to you. It is important to exhaust every possible opportunity for legal recourse if you hope to get through these difficult times and avoid financial distress.
Demand the Fair Compensation You Are Entitled to After a Chemical Plant Burn Injury
Multiple options may be available to victims of chemical plant burn accidents. A New Orleans catastrophic injury lawyer from Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers may be able to help you maximize your settlement by bringing forward every claim possible based on the circumstances of your case. Here are some of the different approaches we may take to your chemical plant burn injury claim:
Workers’ Compensation
If you or someone you love suffered catastrophic burn injuries in a chemical plant accident at work, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Since the majority of employers across Louisiana are required to carry workers’ comp, your employer may be protecting you with workers’ compensation insurance coverage. If you are injured in a work-related accident, you may be entitled to specific types of benefits, such as:
- Disability benefits – You can typically collect up to 66 2/3% of your average weekly wages in disability benefits, according to the Louisiana Office of Workers’ Compensation Administration (OWCA) Rights and Responsibilities brochure.
- Medical benefits – The insurance company will cover all medical expenses related to your chemical plant burn injuries, including future care.
- Vocational training – If your burns prevent you from returning to the position you were working when the accident occurred, you may be entitled to vocational rehabilitation benefits so you can re-enter the workforce.
Personal Injury Lawsuits
Filing a personal injury lawsuit may be another option. However, someone else’s negligence or misconduct must have caused the chemical plant accident for you to have grounds for a claim. Our team will need to prove liability based on a preponderance of the evidence according to LA Code of Evidence Art. 1105 for your civil lawsuit to be successful.
It is important to know that when workers’ compensation coverage protects you, you may forfeit the right to file a personal injury lawsuit against your employer. However, someone else might be responsible for causing the chemical plant accident that resulted in your burn injuries.
If this is the case, you can collect workers’ compensation benefits and seek the remaining damages the insurance company does not cover through your personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
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504-500-1111Get Help From a Distinguished Chemical Plant Burn Injury Lawyer in New Orleans Today
Third-degree burns can happen in many different types of accidents at chemical plants. Our comprehensive investigation into the cause of your burn injuries will help us determine whether someone else’s negligence contributed to the accident and which legal options are most suitable for your case.
With help from a highly experienced chemical plant burn injury attorney in New Orleans, you have an opportunity to maximize your settlement. Scott Vicknair Injury Lawyers is here to guide you through the workers’ compensation and personal injury claims processes so you can get the financial support you need when you need it most.
Learn more about what to expect from your case when you contact our legal team to request a free, no-obligation consultation. Fill out our online contact form or call our office to get started as soon as today.
