Whether you’re burned by a negligent restaurant employee or your oven malfunctions and leaves you with serious burns, understanding what to do is critical. Unfortunately, burns can be incredibly serious injuries, with many causing extreme complications in the aftermath of the injury. As such, if you are injured, the following blog explores what you should know about the different types of burn injuries you can sustain and the importance of working with an experienced Broward County personal injury attorney to discuss your legal options during these difficult times.
What Are the Different Types of Burn Injuries?
There are many types of burn injuries that one can endure. They include the following:
- Electrical burns
- Chemical burns
- Heat burns
- Scalding burns
- Radiatin burns
It’s also necessary to understand that burns can range in severity. Typically, you’ll find that first-degree burns are the least severe, as they only impact the surface layer of skin. Most often, these can be treated at home and will heal in a matter of days. Second-degree burns are more severe, as they impact the surface and second layer of skin. Often, these burns are more painful and have a higher risk of infection. Finally, third-degree burns are the most severe. These burns can destroy all layers of skin, even impacting the fat and tissue underneath. In catastrophic cases, a fourth-degree burn can occur when the injury is so deep that it burns the bone or tendon underneath the skin. Third-degree burns destroy all nerve endings.
Burns can result in a number of complications, from pain, scarring, disfigurement, infections, shock, contractures, and even organ failure. Unfortunately, despite the fact that many burns are preventable, studies estimate that there are over 180,000 burn-related deaths each year around the world.
What Should I Do After Sustaining a Serious Burn?
If you sustain a burn, the most important thing you should do is immediately seek medical attention. Many burns can be treated at home with cool water, antibacterial ointment, and bandages, It’s important to understand that burns that are large, deep, blistering, on your face or hands, or those caused by chemicals should be seen by a medical professional immediately. The sooner you can receive proper treatment, the less likely the injury is to cause serious issues like infections.
You should also contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Unfortunately, burns can be incredibly serious, often requiring specialized medical treatment in a dedicated injury unit. As such, the medical bills you can incur as a result of another person’s negligent actions can be astronomical. Additionally, burns can severely impact your ability to lead a normal life, as you may be physically unable to do the things you once enjoyed. As such, you can fight for non-economic damages for the impact the injuries have on your life, like pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and even humiliation.
Fighting for the compensation you deserve after sustaining a serious burn can be overwhelming, especially when healing from the pain you’ve suffered. As such, it is imperative to discuss your legal options with an experienced attorney. At the Finizio Law Group, our team understands how difficult these matters can be, which is why we are dedicated to helping you through this process. Contact us today to learn how we can fight for you.
