Burn injuries are very common, and one can get them from many different accidents. The most severe burn injuries may result in death or the loss of the ability to move one or more limbs. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury and think it might have been avoided, get in touch with a burn injury lawyer right away because there is a very real possibility that you can get compensation for your injuries.
Here are some of the common burn injuries that one can suffer:
Scalding accidents
The most frequent causes of burn injuries include contact with hot surfaces, combustible substances, and scorching water, gas, or liquid. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident, scalding can cause severe burns. The severity of the burn will depend on the duration of the liquid’s contact with the body, its temperature, and its chemical makeup. In some circumstances, heated vapour from objects can also result in severe burns. Hot drinks at restaurants, steam from microwave-cooked food, or chemical scorching from dangerous materials are a few common causes of scalding.
Flame burn
The most frequent sort of burn is a flame burn, in which the victim’s skin is directly exposed to fire. It’s also one of the burn types that spreads the fastest because flammable items like hair, clothing, furniture, and other items can speed up the spread of the fire, further exposing the victim’s skin to the flames and trapping them inside a column of flame.
Chemical burns
People who often handle chemicals or are around them are obviously at a higher risk for chemical burns because the majority of chemical burns happen at work. These experts include mechanics, chemists, lab researchers, farmers, numerous manufacturing specialists, and employees of metal refineries.
Contact burns
A contact burn, as opposed to a burn coming from direct contact with flame, results from exposure to a highly hot object, liquid, or gas. Contact with extremely hot metal or other heat-conducting surfaces, as well as exposure to scalding hot liquids and superheated steam, can result in burns. Contact burns can also include cold burns and chemical burns.
Burn injury categories
Following are the categories of burn injury depending on their severity;
- First degree. Burns of the first degree are the most prevalent and least serious. The skin around the burnt region often becomes reddened after receiving a first-degree burn. Only the skin’s surface layers are harmed by these burns. The skin around the burn may expand as a result, and there is typically some discomfort that lasts for up to a few days.
- Second degree. Burns of the second degree harm the skin’s outer and interior layers. In situations with second-degree burns, blisters of various sizes and shapes are typical. In addition, a first-degree burn has significantly more intense redness and agony. The burn area might also enlarge more significantly and for a longer period of time than a first-degree burn. The danger of permanent skin deformity exists. Because they can result in a loss of fluid that seeps through the damaged skin, second-degree burns can appear “wet.” Second-degree burns may also be accompanied by fever, pus, numbness in other body areas, and green blistering.
- Third degree. Burns of the third degree cause severe damage to the skin’s outer and interior layers. Third-degree burn victims may experience severe scarring, which could permanently alter the area’s appearance as well as the skin around it. While the skin surrounding a third-degree burn frequently hurts quite a bit, the burn itself is typically harmless. These burns cause the skin around the damaged area to turn silver or black. Third-degree burns require rapid medical attention and may be treated at a burn centre with specialised equipment. To cure the skin and surrounding area after these burns, plastic surgery is frequently needed.
Takeaway
If you think the burn injuries were caused by negligent behaviour, then you are entitled to receive compensation not only for the medical expenses but for the pain and suffering of the victim as well. Contact an experienced lawyer to get the best compensation for your losses.
Ellen Diamond did her degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. She is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
