Ruston Burn Injury Lawyers

Q: How could the 51% fault rule affect my burn injury recovery?

Under La. C.C. art. 2323 (https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Law.aspx?d=109387), for accidents on or after January 1, 2026, if you are found 51% or more at fault for your own injury, your recovery is zero. Below 51%, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers look for evidence that you bypassed a safety system, ignored a warning, or removed protective equipment, to push your share above 50%. The employer's OSHA record of prior violations, equipment maintenance logs, and coworkers' testimony about actual workplace conditions are the evidence that answers those arguments.

A Ruston burn comes out of a rental kitchen or a water heater, a job site, a defective product, or a vehicle fire on I-20 or US-167. The ambulance goes to Northern Louisiana Medical Center on East Vaughn Avenue, the hospital that takes Ruston’s emergency and trauma patients. If a wreck caused the burn, the Ruston Police Department writes the report inside the city and the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office writes it for the rest of the parish. A Lincoln Parish suit can be filed in the Third Judicial District Court at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse on West Texas Avenue. Trey Morris Injury Lawyers has an office at 1831 North Trenton Street, Suite 2, and on a burn file we photograph the scene and get the emergency chart from Northern Louisiana Medical Center.

Louisiana law governs the claim and does not change from parish to parish. You have two years from the day you were hurt to file suit (La. C.C. art. 3493.1), and for accidents on or after January 1, 2026, a finding that you were 51% or more at fault ends the claim under La. C.C. art. 2323. We build the Lincoln Parish file from the heat source and any manufacturer defect under the Louisiana Products Liability Act to answer an insurer’s effort to use comparative fault to zero the claim.

What Is a Burn Injury?

A burn is skin damage caused by heat and fire, a chemical, or an electrical current, and its severity depends on the source and how much of the skin it reached. Doctors grade a burn by depth, from a first-degree burn that damages only the outer layer of skin to a fourth-degree burn that chars the skin and reaches the tendons, muscles, and bones beneath, and by the percentage of the body’s skin it covers, called total body surface area (TBSA). First- and second-degree burns, though painful, can be treatable with prompt medical attention. Third- and fourth-degree burns can leave permanent trauma and scarring, new physical limitations, and an increased risk of serious infection. Our Louisiana burn injury page explains how burn severity is measured.

Our Ruston Office

1831 N Trenton St, Ste 2
Ruston, LA 71270

318-702-8648

Open 24/7 for injured Ruston residents

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What to Do After a Burn in Ruston

Call 911 or get emergency care for a serious burn, and follow through with all the medical care your doctors prescribe. Then keep the proof of what burned you:

Photographs of the scene before cleanup or repair
The equipment or product involved, with all its packaging, and any chemical container or Safety Data Sheet
Surveillance footage from the facility
The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s investigation report
OSHA inspection records for the facility, and the employer’s incident reports and safety training logs
Medical records from the hospital that first treated you and from any burn center you were transferred to

Electronic data from industrial control systems may be overwritten on standard maintenance cycles. Once the facts give us an honest basis, we send a preservation letter to every potential defendant so the heater, wiring, equipment, and records are not repaired, overwritten, or thrown out. Kept in the condition it was in after the fire, that equipment can show what failed and what started the burn, and it helps rule out other causes.

Representative Results

$409 Million Wrongful Death

A tragic case where an impaired driver of a commercial vehicle ran a red light, then collided with our client, causing serious bodily injury to the mother and the loss of life of her daughter.

$49 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

An impaired driver of a stolen vehicle driving the wrong way collided with our client head-on, resulting in brain injury and multiple broken bones.

$32,195,000 Industrial / Workplace

Failure to maintain proper safety protocols led to an explosion at an industrial plant causing a series of catastrophic injuries from broken bones, burns, spinal injury, and mental anguish.

$31.5 Million Industrial / Workplace

Brain and spinal injuries followed an oil-field company failing to maintain equipment and provide a safe work site.

$17.25 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

Client was struck head-on by a disconnected load of an 18-wheeler that crossed the median causing broken bones and amputation.

$13 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

On the interstate, an 18-wheeler failed to yield right of way then made an unsafe lane change causing the accident which resulted in major bone breaks, damaged organs, and ultimately a leg amputation.

$12.1 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

A commercial vehicle failed to stop at a red light subsequently crashing into our client causing serious brain injury and permanent loss of function.

$7 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

When the other vehicle struck our client, the result was a major hemorrhage and a stroke.

$7 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

An 18-wheeler cut across traffic on an illegal left turn and hit our client, who suffered neck and back injuries.

$6.25 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

A fatigued commercial-vehicle driver fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended our client, leaving our client with severe neck and back injuries.

$4.95 Million Wrongful Death

A hydraulic line exploded at a job site, taking the life of our client's loved one.

$4 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

Our client's vehicle was struck by the at-fault vehicle, resulting in neck and back injuries.

$3.3 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

Motor vehicle collision. Details not publicly disclosed.

$3.25 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

Commercial vehicle collision. Details not publicly disclosed.

$3.2 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

While our client was stopped, the at-fault driver rear-ended our client's vehicle and set it on fire, leaving our client seriously hurt.

$3.15 Million Wrongful Death

An 18-wheeler caused a fatal collision that took the life of our client's loved one.

$3 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident

A commercial vehicle struck and killed our client's loved one, who was on foot.

$3 Million Motor Vehicle Accident

Out on the highway, the at-fault driver hit our client.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case is decided on its own facts. See our full case results.

What Causes Burn Injuries in Ruston?

A single burn can have more than one liable party, and identifying each one lets you file a claim against each and pursue the full recovery.

Vehicle Crashes and Fires

Auto crashes, car fires, and explosions can cause severe burns. Drivers and other road users are burned when a wreck exposes them to scalding debris, airbag deployment, electrical shocks, or caustic chemicals. The negligent driver may be at fault, but other parties may be liable as well.

Dangerous Products

Fires, explosions, electrical shocks, and chemical exposures happen when unsafe consumer products, electronics, appliances, or larger equipment fail or malfunction. In some cases, the manufacturer knew about the risk of failure and did not disclose it.

Work Accidents

Workers in construction, manufacturing, food service, welding, trucking, and oil and gas tend to have a particularly high risk of burns, whether from flammable substances, heavy equipment, or other hazards, and an injured worker may have more than one legal remedy. Our Ruston workers’ compensation page covers the compensation claim, and our Ruston industrial accident page covers plant and refinery explosions as workplace accidents.

Your Ruston Injury Attorneys

Founder Trey Morris leads every injury case the firm takes.

Trey Morris
Owner

What clients say

★★★★★
Where should I start!?
Trey Morris Injury Law Firm was a great fit for me! During this wild time of getting into a car wreck, dealing with insurance, and other third parties, Mrs. Brooke and Mrs. Nerren were extremely helpful! They were there for me through the whole process and never once did I doubt their professionalism. They will fight tooth and nail for you and get you what you deserve. I would recommend them to anyone.
Dakota R.Ruston Office · Oct. 22, 2026
★★★★★
I just want to express how pleased I am with [Trey Morris Injury Lawyers].
Their caring team made a huge difference in my experience. From the moment I reached out, they were attentive and supportive, guiding me through every step of the process. They truly took the time to listen to my concerns and made me feel valued as a client. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of a compassionate and dedicated legal team!
Maram Z.Ruston Office · Apr. 28, 2025
★★★★★
Joe and Jaime were awesome with helping me from beginning to end.
Loved working with such a great team!
ChristinRuston Office · Oct. 12, 2026
★★★★★
My sister and I rate Trey Morris Injury Lawyers a 10 out of 10.
They are so dedicated to assisting families when the unexpected occurs. We are so greatful with the settlement received. Thank you all for everything.
Crystal M.Ruston Office · Oct. 3, 2026
★★★★★
Trey Morris what a great experience if I ever have to suggest a lawyer's office Morris is my first choice will be suggesting to friends and family
Adam W.Shreveport Office · Oct. 16, 2026
★★★★★
Very professional and very easy to work with throughout the whole case!
Lane and Men helped make the whole process go smonthly with no stress
Victoria M.Lake Charles Office · Oct. 8, 2026

Testimonials do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

What Compensation Is Paid for a Burn Injury?

Burn injury compensation depends on the case. The damages generally include past and future medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage. When a burn leaves a permanent injury that needs care for life, our Ruston catastrophic injury page explains how those damages are built, and our Ruston injury page covers each type of damages under Louisiana law.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was burned at work and am receiving workers' compensation. Can I still sue the party responsible?

Yes. Workers' compensation is generally your only remedy against the company that employs you, and the same protection covers co-employees acting in the course of their work and a statutory employer, such as a plant owner or general contractor whose own contract includes the work your employer was hired to do (La. R.S. 23:1032, 23:1061). A company outside that protection whose fault contributed to your burn, such as an equipment manufacturer, a chemical supplier, or another subcontractor, can be sued as a third party. You can pursue compensation benefits and the tort claim at the same time. If you recover in tort, your employer's compensation insurer may assert a lien against that recovery for the benefits it paid.

Can I hold a manufacturer liable for a burn caused by defective equipment?

Yes, under the Louisiana Products Liability Act, La. R.S. 9:2800.51 through 9:2800.60. A manufacturer is liable when a characteristic of its product made it unreasonably dangerous and your burn arose from a reasonably anticipated use of the product. A product can be unreasonably dangerous in four ways, through a flaw in how it was built, its design, an inadequate warning, or a failure to meet the manufacturer's express warranty (La. R.S. 9:2800.54). You do not need to prove the manufacturer was negligent. Defective vehicle fuel systems, malfunctioning industrial equipment, and improperly labeled chemicals all fall within the Act.

How long do I have to file a burn injury lawsuit in Lincoln Parish?

You have two years from the day you were hurt to file suit under La. C.C. art. 3493.1. If a government entity, such as a municipal utility, caused your injury, the same deadline applies, and once suit is filed, service on the entity must be requested within 90 days under La. R.S. 13:5107.

What if I was transferred to a burn center in Shreveport or New Orleans?

The transfer strengthens your case. Being moved to a regional burn center such as the LSU Health Shreveport Burn and Wound Center is documented, objective evidence that your burns exceeded what the first hospital could treat. The cost of the transfer, the extended out-of-town care, and your family's travel are compensable economic damages, so keep the transport records, billing statements, and treatment summaries from every facility.

How could the 51% fault rule affect my burn injury recovery?

Under La. C.C. art. 2323, for accidents on or after January 1, 2026, if you are found 51% or more at fault for your own injury, your recovery is zero. Below 51%, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers look for evidence that you bypassed a safety system, ignored a warning, or removed protective equipment, to push your share above 50%. The employer's OSHA record of prior violations, equipment maintenance logs, and coworkers' testimony about actual workplace conditions are the evidence that answers those arguments.

Last updated October 17, 2026