Every year, thousands of people in this country are hospitalized with burns. Sometimes, the burns are mild and require little or no treatment, but other times, the burns are severe and may result in death. If you were burned as a result of someone else’s wrongdoing or negligence, you might be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries from the person who injured you. Reach out to a skilled Georgetown burn injury lawyer today to see if you have a valid legal claim that is worth pursuing. A catastrophic injury lawyer could stand by your side during this difficult time and make sure that your needs are accounted for while brining your claim to court.
Differing Degrees of Burns
Medical practitioners classify burns according to four degrees of severity.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns are the least serious type of burns. They cause damage to the outer layer of the skin, or epidermis. They cause reddening of the skin but do not usually cause blisters. They generally heal entirely, with no permanent scars. A sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns, also called “partial thickness” burns, cause damage to the epidermis, and the dermis, which is an inner layer of the skin. They cause blisters, and the skin will be very painful to the touch and may appear red, swollen, and wet. Burned skin may become thicker. Second degree burns often leave scarring, and require medical treatment.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns, also called “full thickness” burns, cause boils, and completely destroy all layers of the skin. The burned skin can lose feeling because of destroyed nerve endings. These burns appear leathery and black or white. The damaged skin will not grow back. These burns require extensive medical treatment, including painful skin grafts, and can result in death.
Fourth Degree Burns
These are the most severe types of burns. They are deep burns that damage all layers of the skin and spread to the underlying bones and muscles. They can cause permanent mobility problems and may result in death.
After suffering a burn, survivors must be continuously vigilant about their follow up medical treatment, even after their discharge from the hospital. At times, if the burn becomes deeper, the degree of a burn may worsen. In addition, burns frequently become infected or may result in other long-term complications. Burn survivors often face a lifetime of painful, costly medical treatments, such as reconstructive surgery, skin replacement, and grafts. A financial judgment against the person who caused the burn could help burn survivors to pay for these necessary treatments.
Causes of Burns in Georgetown
Many different types of accidents can result in burns. Injuries from burns are most frequently caused by:
- Flames from a fire
- Hot liquid, which results in a scald to the skin
- Contact burns that occur from scalding by a hot object, such as a hot iron
- Electrical currents
- Radiation, such as from an x-ray
- Chemical burning from contact with flammable liquids or gasses. Inhaling gasses can also result in breathing difficulties.
- Sunlight
Qualified legal counsel could examine the evidence surrounding the accident that caused the burn to determine how best to proceed. They could work hard to demonstrate how a potential defendant is liable for the burn injury under a theory of negligence or intentional wrongdoing, and thus is responsible for paying damages.
Reach Out to a Georgetown Burn Injury Attorney For Help Immediately
Burns are extremely painful and also extremely expensive. Even the smallest burn can result in complicated and costly treatments. Let a qualified Georgetown burn injury lawyer aggressively fight for just compensation for you while you focus on healing. Call a local lawyer today to get started on your financial recovery.
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