Ouch – That Burns!!

Know Your Burns

Know The Problem:

Someone who has suffered a burn injury due to a fire, explosion, electrocution, hot surface, or chemical exposure will need immediate medical attention and extensive hospitalization to ensure proper healing. The problem is that medical professionals often consider burn injuries one of the most challenging catastrophic injuriesto treat. If left unattended, burn wounds can easily become infected, which can dramatically reduce the chance of the victim’s survival. In some situations, painful skin grafts may also be needed.

Hospitalization and rehabilitation may become required, resulting in rising medical costs. In order to gain enough compensation for any party liable for the burn injury, the patient will want to arm themselves with burn injury knowledge, starting with burn injury severities as categorized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Know Your Burns:

The CDC sorts burn injuries into three primary degrees of severity:

· First Degree: A first-degree burn is a mild burn that will cause redness, swelling, and sensitivity in the burned area, but should not be too dangerous otherwise. You can treat most first-degree burns with cold water and hydration. Infants and elders who suffer a burn of any sort should be given emergency medical attention due to their vulnerability to infection and shock.

· Second Degree: A second-degree burn destroys the first two layers of skin, causing severe pain, blisters, and possibly an open sore. Anyone with a second-degree burn should be taken to a medical provider as soon as possible. Depending on where the burn occurred, the patient may need an extended hospital stay.

· Third Degree: A third-degree burn is extremely dangerous and should be considered life-threatening. It will destroy multiple layers of skin, right down to the underlying bone, muscle, or organ tissue. The victim might not report any pain due to the destruction of nerve cells in the area. Call for emergency medical attention right away regardless of the victim’s reported pain levels. Extended hospitalization and rehabilitation should be expected as the patient recovers. Permanent loss of bodily functions may occur based on the burn area.

(There are higher degrees of burn injuries but they are not considered survivable, due to the sheer extent and deepness of the burns.)

Know Your Rights:

At George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, we stand up for the rights of the catastrophically injured, including those who suffered a burn injury due to the recklessness or negligence of another. If you or a loved one need help filing a burn injury claim, allow our South Carolina personal injury attorneys to take charge. With our 40+ years of experience helping the injured, you can feel confident that your case and future are in good hands.

Useful references:

· https://www.cdc.gov/masstrauma/factsheets/public/burns.pdf