Burns can be painful, debilitating, and cause permanent damage to your body. There are many dangerous situations that can lead to burns and related injuries. If you were the victim of a burn injury due to the negligence of a third party, you may be considering legal action. In some cases, financial compensation is available for victims.
Our Washington DC burn/fire injury attorneys may handle your case. We offer free consultations to help you understand your options and evaluate the best course of action.
Types of Burn Injuries
A burn occurs when heat, sun, electricity, or other forms of extreme energy come in contact with your body and cause damage. According to the World Health Organization, more than 180,000 deaths are caused each year worldwide by burns.
Burns vary greatly in severity, largely depending on the amount of time your skin had contact with a heat source and the temperature of the source. Some burns are minor and easily treatable, damaging only the top layer of skin and leaving behind minimal or no superficial scarring.
More severe burn injuries can require skin grafts, surgery, and ongoing treatment. Burns can have dramatic effects on your life. You could be left with pain, loss of motion or feeling in parts of the body, and permanent scarring that changes your body forever. According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the following types of burn injuries can occur:
- First-degree burns: First-degree burns affect only the outermost layer of your skin, known as the epidermis. While first-degree burns, like sunburns, can be painful, they rarely cause permanent damage, and any scarring will likely be unnoticeable.
- Second-degree burns: Second-degree burns, sometimes called “partial thickness burns,” damage not only the epidermis but also the second layer of skin, or “dermis.” Second degree-burns can require grafting, a procedure that uses healthy skin to help heal the wounded or burned region.
- Third-degree burns: Third-degree burns are very serious and almost always require grafting and extensive medical treatment. Third-degree burns can completely destroy both layers of the skin and additionally cause damage to sweat glands and nerve endings, resulting in impaired function or loss of feeling.
- Fourth, fifth, and sixth-degree burns: Burns of this nature are extremely rare, and it is not often a burn goes beyond the third-degree. Any burn that extends beyond layers of the skin into deeper tissue or bone could classify as a fourth, fifth, or sixth-degree burn.
The trauma of a burn can be devastating in many ways. Regardless of how serious your burn injury is, you will want to take measures to prevent future occurrence. Understanding the causes of burn injuries can help you avoid them and may also help you determine liability for your burn injury.
For a free legal consultation with a burn injuries lawyer serving Washington DC, call 800-607-2992
Causes of Burn Injuries
There are several ways burn injuries can happen. Below are some causes:
- Fires: Campfires, house fires, car accidents, and other situations in which a person experiences exposure to an open flame that causes a burn injury.
- Sun exposure: While some people strive to look tan, sunbathing or prolonged exposure to the sun can actually cause a physical burn and lead to long-term issues such as skin cancer.
- Thermal burning: Touching a hot object such as a stove, iron, or frying pan can cause a burn.
- Scalding burns: If someone spilled boiling water or hot coffee on your lap, for example, a scalding burn can occur.
- Chemical burns: Exposure to dangerous chemicals can cause skin cells to burn.
- Other miscellaneous accidents: Various other accidents around the home, in public, or even at a hospital can lead to burn injuries.
If your burn injury may have resulted from the actions of a third party, you may be able to take legal action and recover financial compensation for your medical expenses and suffering. A Washington DC burn injuries lawyer may be able to help.
Washington DC Burn Injuries Lawyer Near Me 800-607-2992
Treatment
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, minor burns may only require a focus on pain reduction and avoidance of heat, while the skin naturally repairs itself. Some antibacterial measures may prevent infection, such as dressings containing silver or antibiotics. More serious burns may require grafting. The grafting process involves using healthy skin over damaged cells to support healing and replace tissue. Physical therapy may also be necessary if a burn restricts the range of motion for a victim. If your burn injury resulted from the negligence of a third party, you could be able to take legal action and pursue compensation for your suffering.
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Legal Action for Victims
If you were the victim of a burn injury that was not your fault, there could be potentially recoverable compensation. Reimbursement for expensive medical treatment, supplies, and ongoing therapy is one form of compensation sometimes available to victims. If you are disabled or can no longer work because of your accident, you could additionally collect for lost wages. In some cases, victims can collect for pain and suffering, as well. A Washington DC burn injuries lawyer can help you determine the exact forms of compensation you could potentially collect.
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Consider a Washington DC burn injuries lawyer Today
If you were the victim of a burn injury, your life may never be the same. You could be experiencing pain, trauma, disfigurement, and ongoing medical treatment. To make matters worse, the treatment and effects of burn injuries can create financial burden. If you were a victim, you deserve justice.
Navigating the complex legal process can be intimidating and confusing, but you have a right to legal representation. At, Ben Crump Law, PLLC, our Washington DC Burn injuries lawyers may handle your case. Call 800-607-2992.
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