Suffering a burn injury can be one of the most painful and disfiguring injury types, with some burn injury victims requiring long-term care after an accident resulting in a burn injury. At the offices of Bednarz & Bednarz, we have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of burns and the lasting consequences of burn injuries. We are passionate about helping those who have been harmed file a personal injury claim and recover compensation for their losses.
Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be incurred in nearly any type of accident, as many different accidents involve or generate heat or friction. For example, a person can suffer road burn when skidding along pavement after being hit by a car while riding a bike or a motorcycle, or a person could be burned in a car accident that results in fire or explosion.
In addition to the multiple different types of motor vehicle accidents that can cause burn injuries, industrial accidents, construction accidents, and accidents in the home (i.e., a candle leading to a home fire) can all cause burn injuries as well.
Types and Degrees of Burns
Burns are classified by type of burn and degree of burn. Types of burn injuries include:
- Thermal burns occur when the skin comes in contact with something hot (hot stove, flame, etc.);
- Chemical burns that are the result of exposure to certain chemicals, such as bleach or ammonia
- Electrical burns occur when the body comes in contact with an electrical current
- Friction burns happen when the skin comes in contact with a hard surface, creating a lot of friction (friction generates heat, and as such, this can actually be a thermal burn); and
- Radiation burns are the least common type of burn and occur as a result of radiation exposure. This may happen to a cancer patient who is undergoing radiation therapy, for example.
Burns are also classified by degree, which refers to the severity of the burn injury. Degrees of burns include:
- First-degree burns are the least severe type of burn injury and typically heal on their own without any professional treatment. For example, a sunburn is a first-degree burn injury. Only the outermost layer of the skin is damaged.
- Second-degree burns are more severe than first-degree burns, affecting both the outermost layer of skin (epidermis) and the layer of skin beneath it (dermis). This type of burn is excruciating and can lead to infection or serious scarring.
- Third-degree burns are the most severe type of burn, although they may actually be less painful than first- and second-degree burns because the nerves may be destroyed, resulting in a loss of sensation. These burns affect all layers of the skin and will leave permanent scarring.
Some medical professionals also recognize fourth-degree burns, which not only affect all layers of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues, but also burn bones, muscles, and tendons.
Dedicated Personal Injury Attorneys Serving Clients in Tennessee
If you have suffered a serious burn injury, you may be facing mounting medical bills, disability, and permanent scarring and disfigurement. Our attorneys want to make sure that you receive the full amount of compensation that you deserve, and our determined burn injury lawyers will work hard for you as such. Please contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help.
