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However, you can review the general classifications of burns to learn more bout how medical professionals assign them a level. If you sustained a burn in an accident in Florida, you might receive funds to cover your medical costs from the individual who caused the injury.
How do Doctors Classify Burns?
According to MedlinePlus, medical professionals group burns into three main categories: first, second, and third-degree burns. However, some medical facilities, like the University of Rochester Medical Center, include a fourth-degree burn classification.
First-Degree Burns
Doctors also use the term “superficial burns” when discussing first-degree burns. These burns only damage the outer layers of your skin. Generally, these burns do not cause long-term damage.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree (or partial-thickness) burns go deeper than first-degree burns. These burns can impact your epidermis and dermis. They often take longer to heal, and they may leave behind scars.
Third-Degree Burns
Doctors treat third-degree (or full-thickness) burns very seriously. These burns may go down to the deepest level of your skin, called the subcutaneous layer. They often cause extensive injuries and require extensive healing.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Finally, some doctors include fourth-degree burns in their classification system. These burns go through your skin and deeper tissues, like muscle and bone. They can destroy nerve endings as part of the damage they cause.
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How do You Know if a Burn Is First, Second, or Third Degree?
How do you determine the degree level of a burn injury? Visiting the doctor represents the most efficient way to diagnose the severity of a burn and receive appropriate medical care. Doctors often look at the appearance of a burn to classify the injury.
First-degree burns, for example, generally appear red and dry. They do not usually blister up, though they may cause you pain. Second-degree burns, on the other hand, often blister and swell up. As a result, you may experience more pain with a second-degree burn.
Third and fourth-degree burns often appear charred or blackened. Some appear white, instead, depending on the location of the burn. In addition, some patients with severe burns do not experience pain at first due to the destruction of their nerve endings.
How Is Burn Severity Determined in Florida?
Doctors look at a few different metrics when categorizing burn injuries and assessing their severity. For example, they may look at the overall depth of the burn and the width of the burn.
When discussing burns, width refers to how much of the total surface of a patient’s body the burn covers. Larger burns can qualify as more serious, even if they are not full-thickness, simply because of the damage to the body.
Again, only a medical professional should diagnose the severity of a burn in order to provide proper care and attention.
Click To ContactWhat do Florida Doctors Consider Major Burns?
Determining the level of a burn degree may or may not change the severity of the diagnosis. Doctors in Florida consider some burns “minor” and other burns “major.” Generally, patients experience a minor burn if they have a first-degree burn or a small second-degree burn.
Major burns include:
- Second-degree burns on the face, hands, feet, major joint, groin, or buttocks
- Second-degree burns larger than two or three inches in width
- All third- and fourth-degree burns
These burns can have severe impacts on your health, so ensure you seek medical care quickly after an injury.
How do Doctors Treat Severe Burns in Florida?
Aside from first-degree burns, most burns require medical attention in the state of Florida. You may need antibiotics to deal with infections, bandages, and additional care to recover from a burn injury.
Some patients require skin grafts and surgeries to fully recover. However, even with extensive medical care, third- and fourth-degree burns can result in extensive scarring.
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What Causes Serious Burns in Florida?
Accidents in Florida can result in burns at various levels of severity. Many individuals experience burns caused by high temperatures, but chemicals or scalding liquid can also result in a burn. These accidents can occur:
- On the job
- During a car accident
- As a result of a defective product
The above list only contains examples of situations that can lead to burn injuries. If someone else caused the accident that led to your burn injury, you might have a chance to file a claim to secure compensation for your losses.
What Damages Can You Get for a Burn Injury in Florida?
Once the degree level of a burn is determined, it could impact the compensation you receive for your losses. Generally, if someone else caused your injuries, you may receive funds to cover your current and future medical expenses.
More severe burns may require more extensive medical treatment so that you may receive more compensation for these injuries. You could also receive funds to cover your time off at work, pain, and suffering.
Contact Us After a Burn Injury in Florida
Do you have questions about determining the level of a burn degree in Florida after an accident? Doctors generally classify burns before providing treatment. Regardless of the severity of your burn, you can contact us if you were hurt in an accident.
Speak to our team at Viles & Beckman, LLC, for help today. Call or complete our online contact form.
Call or text (239) 334-3933 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
