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The most common types of burns are caused by scalding liquids and steam from hot water, but burns can also be caused by electricity or radiation. Burns can be extremely painful and take significant time to heal.
If your injury was caused by another person’s negligence, you may want to contact a personal injury attorney who can help you recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to your burn injury.
Common Causes of Burns
Burn injuries are a common occurrence in the United States. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2,000 people die from burn injuries each year, and over five million people suffer burn injuries annually. These can be caused by contact with hot liquids, steam, electricity, and chemicals.
In order to get compensation for your injury, it is important that you understand what happened in your case. The first step is to know what caused your burn. Here are some common causes:
Hot Liquids
If a liquid boils over onto your hands or face, it could cause second-degree burns, which are classified by damage to both layers of your skin (epidermis and dermis). These burns might look like blisters filled with clear fluid and are often painful. They can also lead to an infection if left untreated for too long.
Steam
Steam from boiling water or hot showers can also cause second-degree burns. Steam can burn your skin if you walk into it or lean forward and rest your hands on a hot surface when you’re too close to the source of heat.
Electrical Currents
Electric burns are caused by contact with electricity that flows through metal wires, metal pipes, or other conductors that carry electricity in your home or workplace. Electrical burns can also cause serious burns if your skin comes into contact with hot metal surfaces such as pipes or wires that are carrying electricity.
Electricity is not the only danger associated with electrical currents. Fires caused by overheated wires and faulty wiring can burn you before you even realize they’re present in your home.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns occur when chemicals come into contact with the skin and cause damage to the tissue underneath. They can also cause chemical poisoning, which can lead to death if not treated in time. These burns are most common in industrial settings where chemicals are used daily.
Sunlight
Sunlight is one of the most common causes of degree burns. It can cause superficial burns (also called first-degree burns) that affect only the outer layer of your skin (epidermis). These burns aren’t usually painful but may cause redness, swelling, and blistering within hours after exposure.
Whether caused by fire or contact with hot liquids or objects, burn injuries can be very serious. Burns can cause permanent damage, scarring, and disfigurement. Depending on the extent of the burn, you may need to go to an emergency room or be admitted to a hospital for treatment.
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What Are the Types of Burns?
According to Mayo Clinic, burn injuries can be minor (first degree) or severe (second degree). The severity of a burn depends on the size of the area affected, how deep the burn goes into your skin and how much damage has been done to your body’s tissues.
Typically, burn injuries are categorized into three degrees of severity. The main types of burns are:
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns are milder than other types of burns, but they still require medical attention because they can cause blistering and swelling. The affected area will become red and feel tender when touched.
A first-degree burn usually heals within two weeks without scarring or discomfort afterward. These injuries are typically very complicated, and there are many nuances to a person’s case that require the experience of an attorney.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns involve damage to deeper layers of skin and tissue beneath the outer layer known as the epidermis. Second-degree burns cause redness and tenderness, along with blisters that eventually form scabs over them as they heal over several days or weeks, depending on the severity.
Second-degree burns may also cause swelling, blistering, and pain. A burn injury lawyer can advise you on who to hold liable and how to collect compensation for your burn injury damages.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns are the most severe type of burn, causing damage to the outer layer of skin, as well as deeper tissues below it. These burns are often accompanied by blisters that break open and leave raw, charred tissue exposed. The affected area will feel hot to the touch and may appear grey or black in color due to lack of blood flow.
Injuries involving third-degree burns require immediate medical attention because they can lead to shock, infection, and tissue damage. These are usually treated with antibiotics and may require skin grafts or skin flaps in order to repair the damage.
Why Is a Lawyer Needed for a Burn Injury?
There are a number of situations where people will benefit from having a lawyer on their side. A lawyer will be useful for helping to ensure that appropriate procedures get followed during the treatment process and for negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of clients who were injured in a burn accident.
If you have suffered a burn injury due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced attorney at Viles & Beckman can help determine whether you have a case and assist in getting fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Burn injuries are painful. But if you know when you need to hire a burn injury lawyer and what to expect with the process, it can be much easier to deal with. If you have suffered a burn injury, it is critical that you contact us today. We can provide the individualized attention your case needs while handling the details for you.
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