Lewisville Burn Injury Attorney
Compensation for Burn Injuries
Being burned is one of the most painful ordeals a person can go through. The recovery may last for week, months, or even years, depending on the severity of the burn. Because of this unfortunate reality, a burn injury and subsequent treatment can be emotionally distressing. If you or a family member has suffered a burn due to the negligence of another person, the last thing you should have to worry about is paying for medical bills and lost time. Steele Law, P.C., is here for you. Call a Lewisville personal injury lawyer at (214) 333-9393 to discuss your potential case.
Burn Classifications
You’ve probably heard that burns are classified by their degree of severity. Here is what each of those classifications means, according to the University of Rochester Health Encyclopedia:
- First-degree: A first-degree burn is superficial, meaning only the outer layer of skin is affected. An average sunburn would fall under this category.
- Second-degree: A second-degree burn is a partial thickness burn, affecting the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (second layer) of skin. This type of burn blisters and is painful.
- Third-degree: A third-degree burn is a full thickness burn, destroying the epidermis and dermis, and possibly affecting tissue below the skin. This type of burn looks white or charred.
- Fourth-degree: A fourth-degree burn damages bones, muscles, and tendons in addition to the skin and underlying tissue. This includes nerve endings, resulting in a loss of sensation in the affected areas.
Burn Causes
While we most often think of fire as the cause of a burn injury, burns can come from many different sources: heat, electricity, chemicals, radiation, and friction. These include hot liquids (heat), contact with an outlet (electrical), chemicals like chlorination products (chemical), sun or tanning bed exposure (radiation), or an accident or fall where the skin is severely scraped (friction).
While many burns are the result of simple household accidents, some are caused by another person’s negligence. This could happen at work, for example, if a construction worker receives an electrical burn after attempting to install a faulty part. This could also happen on the road, if a motorcycle rider suffers friction burns (road rash) after being hit by a car and thrown off of his or her bike.
Treatment for Burns
Treating first- and second-degree burns can usually be done at home with self-care strategies like immersion in cool water and aloe applications. Third-degree burns, however, require intensive care and hospitalization. This is where the long treatment process and high medical bills become grueling. Someone suffering from a third-degree burn may receive any combination of treatment, including IV fluids and antibiotics, regular burn cleaning, medication, and even skin grafting and cosmetic reconstruction. If a skin graft is necessary, it can take anywhere from a week to 21 days to heal.
Protect Yourself After a Burn Accident
If you are affected by a burn injury and someone else may be responsible, contact a knowledgeable Texas attorney as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer will be able to sift through the details of your case, establish liability, and work on your behalf to ensure any resulting expenses are covered. If a work, auto, or another accident led to your burn injury, you should not have to pay medical expenses or cover lost wages while working through your recovery. Take the first step in protecting your livelihood by contacting Steele Law, P.C. online or at (214) 333-9393 for a free consultation.
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