While burn injuries may seem uncommon to some, fire and burns are the fifth most common cause of accidental death in children and adults. This type of injury can be the most painful to deal with and potentially permanent to victims. Many people who endure burn injuries wonder if they are eligible for compensation. To learn more, read this blog or reach out to a Morris County Personal Injury Attorney today.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF BURN INJURIES?
There are various burn injuries that a person can endure. Here are the different types of burns and what they are caused by:
- Thermal burns – Caused by heat sources that cause skin tissue cell death or charring, like hot liquids, steam, fire, or other hot surfaces
- Chemical burns – Caused by strong acids, alkalies, detergents, or solvents coming into contact with the skin or eyes
- Radiation burns – Caused by prolonged exposure to sources of radiation like ultraviolet rays of the sun or X-rays
- Electrical burns – Caused by an electrical current, usually from a live wire, appliance, or piece of machinery
Thermal burns and electrical burns are most common in the workplace, especially for people who work with machinery.
There are also various degrees of burn injuries that represent the severity of the damage. First-degree burns are the least severe because they only affect the outer layer of skin; an example would be mild sunburn. Meanwhile, second-degree burns involve the first two layers of skin and require medical attention.
Third-degree burns are called “full-thickness” burns because they destroy two layers of skin and damage nerve endings. A possible treatment for this degree is a skin transplant (or a skin graft operation). The most severe are fourth-degree burns, which are potentially life-threatening because they destroy all layers of the skin and can damage bones, muscles, tendons, and other organs.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A BURN INJURY?
If you endure a first-degree thermal burn, you can simply rinse the burn under cold water and bandage the affected area while it heals. Most other types of burns will require treatment from a medical professional. Burns can be caused by fire accidents, defective products, chemical spills, auto accidents, cooking accidents, and more.
Whether you are eligible for compensation depends on what or who caused your burn injury. For example, if you endured an electrical burn due to a defective product, you can likely file a personal injury claim against the manufacturer for compensation for your medical expenses and more. If you suffered a burn injury from your job due to working with machinery, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation. You should speak with a personal injury attorney to discuss your options.
Have you recently suffered burn injuries as a result of someone else’s negligence? Are you looking for a personal injury who has your best interests in mind? Look no further because Lutz Injury Law is here to fight for you! Contact our effective team today for an initial consultation.