A burn injury can be a life-altering event that often requires intense physical and emotional recovery. Although the skin is the most commonly damaged organ in a burn injury, it is possible for a burn injury to affect deeper muscles, tissue, and even nerve endings, based on the severity of the burn.
Our firm wants to educate readers about the severity of burn injuries and emphasize the importance of consulting an attorney for legal assistance if you have experienced a burn injury.
Burn injuries are classified into four main categories based on the severity of the damage to the skin and subsurface organs. While many have heard these terms before, most people do not actually know the difference between the different types of burns.
A first-degree burn involves harm to only the outer layer of the skin, also known as the epidermis. This is the least severe type of burn, and symptoms typically include pain with redness and minor inflammation. First-degree burns are most often caused by brief contact with hot liquids or surfaces or sunburn.
These burns penetrate deeper into the skin, damaging both the epidermis and the dermis (the second layer of skin). Second-degree burns generally cause more severe pain, blisters, and swelling. A second-degree burn may be caused by contact with hot liquid or flames, severe sunburn, or exposure to dangerous chemicals.
Third-degree burns are the most severe burns to the skin, causing damage to both the epidermis and the full dermis and possibly affecting deeper tissue, muscles, and bones. These burns often require extensive medical treatment and can be caused by electrical shocks, extremely hot liquids, or prolonged exposure to flames. Third-degree burns are also called full thickness burns and usually lead to permanent disfigurement of the skin.
These are often catastrophic injuries that lead to permanent disability or death. A fourth-degree burn extends beyond the skin into the underlying muscles, tendons, and nerves. This level of damage to the skin can result in long-term complications, like a high risk of infection due to loss of the skin’s protective barrier. Individuals with fourth-degree burns often require amputation or extensive reconstructive surgery.
Burn injuries generally lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges, so if you have experienced a burn injury, it is important to contact an experienced burn injury lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney will help to determine who is responsible for your burn injury, ensure that all medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care costs are included in your claim, and navigate recovery from insurance companies, if available.
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, the first and most important step is recovery. Next, it is crucial to consult with a personal injury attorney who can help you navigate the legal complexities of your case so that you can focus on physical and emotional rehabilitation after a life-altering injury.
