Interior Burn Dispute with Casey Lott of Langston & Lott, PLLC
Monthly Lawyer spoken with Casey Lottmanaging partner at Langston & Lott, PLLCabout the firm's growing specialization in burn litigation, one of the most complex and emotionally charged areas of personal injury law.
In this article, Casey walks us through the ins and outs of burn cases, drawing on a wealth of personal experience gained from representing numerous clients in this area. From an analysis of the dangers posed by unreliable smoke detectors to reflections on the burn cases that shaped his career, Casey provides an incisive look at this vital area and shares where Langston & Lott plans to expand its expertise next.
You have handled all types of personal injury cases, but you have developed a particular niche for burn claims. What are the most common incidents that cause burns?
We probably handle more propane explosion cases than anything else. Propane explosions are much more common than you might think. We have also represented people burned by hot liquids or toxic chemicals. Defective products like e-cigarettes or portable propane tanks can explode and cause serious injury. Appliances like water heaters, stoves and heaters are responsible for many residential fires each year.
Sometimes you don't know what caused the fire, but you know that the resulting injuries or death could have been avoided. For example, sometimes the investigators we hire can't tell us exactly how a fire started (maybe it was faulty wiring or a knocked over spark plug), but they can usually determine Or it started. What is almost always true, however, is that I have never represented someone who was burned in a residential fire where the smoke detectors were working properly, because those people make it out in time.
So, when someone is burned in a house or apartment fire, it is very likely that the smoke detector is not working properly. If the condition of the smoke detectors was the responsibility of someone else, such as a homeowner, then you may have a cause of action for safety violations. Smoke detector manufacturers claim that “every second counts” and they are right. Research shows that delayed alarms significantly increase the risk of serious injury or even death.
“I have never represented anyone who was burned in a residential fire where the smoke detectors were working properly, because those people make it out in time.”
What are the most common reasons smoke detectors fail?
Often this is because the detectors are not wired to a power source and the battery is dead, missing, or improperly installed. Sometimes they are installed correctly but just too old. All smoke detectors have expiration dates: some last as little as five years, others as long as ten years. Over time, alarm sensors wear out and dust buildup makes it more difficult to detect smoke. It is therefore crucial to replace them regularly.
Even when a detector is current and installed correctly, it may not sound on time if it is not a combination unit. There are three types: ionization, photoelectric and combined detectors. Each type reacts differently to different fires. Tests show that ionization detectors may fail to provide timely warnings of slow-moving or smoldering fires, even with high smoke levels. THE National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends using both types or a combined unit, but unfortunately, homeowners sometimes sacrifice safety to save money.
What led you to focus on personal injury and wrongful death as areas of specialization?
Early in my career, I took on whatever came my way: family law, criminal defense, etc. But I realized that being a jack of all trades meant being master of none. I knew I had to specialize. Personal injury has quickly become the most rewarding area of practice for me.
I still have a photo on my desk of a little girl that I represented in a burn case. She had severe scarring on her face and needed laser resurfacing treatments that Medicaid didn't cover because they called them “cosmetic.” We convinced the burn center to accept an assignment on the proceeds of our civil case, and she was treated immediately. When I saw her at the settlement hearing, she looked like a different person – smiling from ear to ear. She gave me one of her school photos, signed on the back, and I've kept it on my desk ever since. This case reminded me why this work is important.
How do you measure success?
Professionally, I measure success by the impact I have through my business and in my community. I want to positively influence as many people as possible: customers, employees and neighbors. Of course, to achieve this you have to be both a good lawyer And a good businessman. You can't make an impact if you don't have customers. So we set clear short- and long-term goals and measure our progress against them.
Personally, I measure success by happiness and balance. My family means everything to me. I've met a lot of rich people who were unhappy, and that's not the kind of success I want. Nothing makes me happier than being with Amanda and our boys. If I can be a good husband and father, that's success in my opinion.
“You can be the best lawyer in the world, but if you don't have clients, you don't have much impact. »
Is there a particular professional achievement that you are particularly proud of?
I have been fortunate to litigate many cases that have had a lasting impact, not only for clients but also for public safety. For example, we have handled wrongful death cases against manufacturers of water heaters and gas cans for failing to use flame arrester — safety devices preventing the spread of flames and causing explosions. Today, gas water heaters and gas cylinders are required to be equipped with them. I'm not saying it's all because of us, but I believe the plaintiffs' bar played a key role in pushing for this change.
As for a specific case, I cannot choose just one. I am proud of the whole journey. When I joined my father in 2005, there were four of us: two lawyers and two paralegals. Today, we are a team of 17 people with six lawyers. John Morgan says, “If you don’t grow, you die,” and I believe him. My goal is to be better every year, and so far we have succeeded.
Can you tell us about your plans for further development?
We are exploring other areas that could complement our practice, such as labor law. We recently started managing several WARNING Law case – the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notice Act protects employees by requiring employers to provide advance notice before large-scale layoffs or plant closings. Unfortunately, many employers fail to comply, leaving workers blindsided.
We believe this is an underserved niche, and Jack Simpson leads this practice for us. Personal injury will always be at the forefront of our minds, but I am a firm believer in adaptation. The highest fee I've ever won came from an antitrust case – proof that sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone pays off. The WARN Act cases could very well be the next big thing for us.
About Casey Lott
Casey Lott is a managing partner at Langston & Lott, PLLCwhere he specializes in bodily injuryproduct liability, burn disputes and automobile accident cases. He has extensive experience conducting multidistrict litigation and class actions and holds a AV Preeminent® Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review – the highest possible rating for legal capacity and ethical standards.
Casey and his wife, Amandinealso funds scholarships for Northeast Mississippi Community College students each year through the Casey and Amanda Lott Scholarship And Cynthia Langston Memorial Scholarship.
About Langston & Lott, PLLC
Founded in 1964, Langston & Lott is a Mississippi-based personal injury law firm known for its success in catastrophic injury, product liability, and vehicle accident cases. The firm's attorneys have won multimillion-dollar judgments and settlements against some of the nation's largest corporations and insurers and continue to expand their litigation expertise both domestically and internationally.
Contact:
Langston & Lott, PLLC
100 South Main St, Booneville, MS 38829, United States
Tel: +1 662-728-9733
E-mail: [email protected]
