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Dealing with Burn Injuries from a Legal Perspective

On Behalf of | Aug 26, 2016 | Catastrophic Injury, Firm News

Here at Bowles & Verna, we want to help all victims of injury hold negligent parties accountable. We fight for the people of Walnut Creek and their loved ones, offering strong legal counsel and the kind of advice that only experienced litigators can provide.

Burn injury lawsuits can sometimes be among the most serious just given the factors involved. We’d like to consider the different causes of burn injuries and what your legal options might be when involved in these kinds of cases.

Degrees of Burns

There are different degrees of burns, each classified by how much they harm a person. They are classified as follows:

  • First-Degree Burns – The least serious kinds of burns, first-degree burns will cause reddening of the topmost layer of your skin (epidermis)
  • Second-Degree Burns – Also known as partial thickness burns, second-degree burns can cause reddening, blistering, and swelling of the skin. These kinds of burns affect the epidermis and the underlying dermis.
  • Third-Degree Burns – Also known as full thickness burns, third-degree burns affect the skin as well as the deeper tissues of the body, such as the muscles, nerves, and bone. Rather than reddening or blistering, these burns can char the skin, turning it black or white.

In addition to medical bills for immediate emergency care, people who suffer severe burns may also require physical rehabilitation and reconstructive surgery in order to recover.

Burn Injuries from Fires and Flames

These are the kinds of burn injuries that people are most familiar with. If you are around open flames or fires, be careful of being exposed to these flames directly.

Burn Injuries from Electricity

Whether they come from defective wall sockets, exposed wiring, or dangerous electronic goods, electrical currents can lead to serious shocks. Burns from electricity can cause serious problems with nerves and muscle tissue.

Burn Injuries from Hot Liquids or Steam

Scalding hot liquids can lead to serious burns and major harm, which is why you need to be careful whenever you handle boiling or heated liquids. The same holds true for direct exposure to steam, whether from kettles, pipes, or radiators.

Burn Injuries from Chemicals and Solvents

Many people who work around dangerous chemicals run a risk of burns as a result of chemicals and solvents. Be sure to wear eye protection as well as proper nose and mouth protection if you are using any potentially hazardous chemicals.

Burn Injuries from Hot Solid Objects

Heated objects can burn you just as bad as flames and liquids. This could mean an iron for your clothes, the coils of a stove, or a heated pipe.

Burn Injuries from Radiation Exposure

Serious exposure to radiation can cause major burns. These kinds of burn injuries are not typical, though they might happen in occupations that involve dealing directly or indirectly with radioactive material.

Burn Injuries from Excessive Sun and UV Rays

Sunburn is a type of burn, and if you aren’t careful, your sunburn can lead to serious and uncomfortable injuries. People who are left out in the sun or under tanning lamps for too long may suffer serious tissue damage.

Speak to the Lawyers of Bowles & Verna

For more information about your legal rights and options in burn injury cases, be sure to contact our team of personal injury lawyers today. The attorneys of Bowles & Verna will work with you and fight so you receive damages.