What Types of Burn Injuries Might Result in a Personal Injury Case?

Throughout your lifetime, either you or a family member may suffer some type of burn injury. Many of these injuries can be extremely serious, and even life-threatening.

A professional burn injury attorney firm has seen the devastation that a burn injury can cause and are committed to assisting you and your family. If you have suffered a burn injury, you very well could be entitled to compensation from the party whose negligence caused your injury.

Burn injuries can be caused by many different potential sources and usually require specialized, costly burn protocol treatment. This treatment can be very expensive and cause you to lose income or even forever change your life.

Some of the most common types of burn injuries include:

• Electrical burns — Electrical burns occur when a victim meets live electricity. When electricity passes rapidly through the human body, it can cause substantial damage. Unlike other types of burn injuries, electrical burns typically cause more sub-dermal damage (damage under the skin itself) and can even result in a heart attack.
• Thermal burns — Burns that result from direct contact with fire or flame are referred to as thermal burns. Thermal burns cause damage to many different layers of skin. The extent of the damage done, and the layers of skin affected depend on the type, temperature, and duration of contact with the source of heat. All layers of the skin, as well as nerve endings, blood vessels, glands, muscle, and even bone, may be damaged.
• Chemical burns — Chemical burns are a type of burn that most commonly occurs in the workplace, though they can occur because of misuse of industrial chemicals or household products. A chemical burn may occur immediately upon contact.
• Burns from hot liquids — Hot liquid burns are the most common burn injury suffered by children. Often referred to as “scalding burns”, these injuries can run the gamut from relatively mild to life-threatening.
• Radiation burns — A radiation burn is a type of burn injury that almost always happens in the workplace, as you must be around radiation. It also may be the result of exposure to radiation because of cancer treatments or other medical uses of radiation.

All these types of burns, and more, can be severe and even life changing. If you’ve been seriously burned in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, your best path is to consult with a qualified Edinburg burns injury lawyer to get you the money and benefits you are entitled to.

How Can I Know the Severity of My Burn and How Are They Categorized?

All burn injuries are categorized by how severe your damage is. This is done by determining how many layers of the skin were penetrated, and other factors.

The different degrees of severity for a burn injury include:

• First-degree burns – First-degree burns are the least serious form of burn. They affect only the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin.
• Second-degree burns – Second-degree burns cause damage to the epidermis and part of the layer of skin underneath it. Second-degree burns are generally treated without surgery, but you still may require a skin graft in more severe cases.
• Third-degree burns – Third-degree burns occur when all layers of the skin are destroyed, permanently damaging nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat glands. Due to nerve endings being damaged, a third-degree burn may not be as painful as you would expect but will likely require surgery and prompt medical attention.
• Fourth-degree burns – A fourth-degree burn is the most severe type of burn injury. These burns destroy all layers of the skin and damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. Fourth degree burns may lead to amputation and even death and require immediate attention from a burn specialist.

What Are the More Common Burn Injuries at My Workplace?

Burn injuries in the workplace are common. Recent statistics show that they account for up to 42% of all work-related injuries. Burn injuries can occur in almost any type of work.

Some common types of workplace burn injuries include:

• Scalding from hot liquids or steam – Scalding is a leading type of burn injury. If you suffered a scalding injury at work that someone else was responsible for, you may have grounds to take legal action against them.
• Chemical accidents – Chemical burns account for up to 16% of all work-related burns. If your burn injury is cosmetic and doesn’t impact your ability to work, your employer may try to deny your workers’ comp claim.
• Electrocutions – Electrical burns affect people in all different occupations. Construction workers are at high risk for electrical burns, accounting for up to 20% of all nonfatal electrical injuries. If your employer failed to inform you of a hazard that led to your workplace burn injury, you should speak with a burn injury lawyer right away about getting fair compensation.
• Gas explosions – Gas is a commonly used resource throughout the manufacturing and industrial industries. But gas explosion risk is sometimes overlooked and leads to injuries that could have been prevented. If you have had a gas-related burn injury at work, getting compensation for those injuries may require the help of a burn injury personal injury attorney.

Can Burn Injuries Have Long Term Effects?

If you have suffered a severe burn injury, you can often experience serious, costly, and lifelong health problems.

Some examples of long-term effects of burn injuries may include:

• Permanent scarring or disfigurement.
• Loss of mobility or physical functions.
• Loss of limbs.
• Permanent nerve damage
• Internal organ damage.
• Increased risk of serious infections.
• Risk of cancers.
• Psychological damage and trauma.
• The complete inability to work.

You see how serious these injuries can be, and how you, and your family’s life can be changed forever. High medical costs, loss of income, and many other factors can come into the equation. Consulting with an Edinburg or McAllen burns injury lawyer can help you receive the help you need for yourself and your family.

I’ve Had a Burn Injury Possibly Caused by Negligence, What Should I Do First?

So, as you can see, a burn injury can happen anywhere and be extremely serious. It may affect you, and your families, life for years to come. The Brasure Law firm PLLC is respected and well known for helping its clients get the compensation they deserve. Consult with them first and get the financial help you need.