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Damages from Third-Degree Burn Injuries

On Behalf of | Feb 2, 2018 | Catastrophic Injury, Firm News, Personal Injury Law

Burn injuries are among the most painful types of injuries, and the damages from burn injuries are even more catastrophic when the victim suffers from a third-degree burn. Third-degree burns reach beyond the outermost layer of skin and cause damage to underlying tissues and muscles. Third-degree burns often require extensive medical treatment and may have a serious impact on a person’s quality of life. When a burn injury is the result of another party’s negligence or recklessness, the burn victim may be due compensation for their damages. The experienced attorneys at Bowles & Verna, LLP, will fight for victims of third-degree burn injuries in the San Jose, CA-area, to ensure they are justly compensated for the full extent of their losses.

Causes of Third-Degree Burn Injuries

Third-degree burns are caused by many of the same situations as lesser degree burns. The difference is that victims of third-degree burn injuries may have been exposed to the source of heat for a longer period of time, or the intensity of the heat source may be especially severe. Third-degree burns may be incurred at home, on the road, or at a person’s place of employment. The most common causes of third-degree burn injuries include:

  • Spill of scalding liquid
  • Chemical fire or exposure to certain chemicals
  • Electrical burns (often related to exposed electric wires)
  • Automobile accident
  • Explosion of improperly stored flammable material

Characteristics of Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns are much more severe than a first- or second-degree burn. Third-degree burns are often referred to as full-thickness burns. These burns destroy the epidermis and the dermis, which are the top two layers of the skin, and can also impact underlying tissues and muscles. Typical characteristics of a third-degree burn include the following:

  • Dark brown or charred appearance to the skin
  • Waxy, white patches on the skin
  • A raised or leathery texture to the skin
  • A lack of sensation at the burn site (due to nerve damage)

Third-degree burns are catastrophic in nature and should never be treated at home. It is important for victims of third-degree burns to seek medical care as soon as possible to avoid complications, such as infection.

Compensation for Damages

Third-degree burns can have a much greater impact on a person’s life than most would imagine. It often takes extensive medical treatment (which amounts to significant medical bills) to treat a third-degree burn. And the damages of a third-degree burn go much further than this. Third-degree burns can lead to permanent disfigurement and may cause physical limitations that alter a person’s ability to work and, ultimately, diminish their quality of life. Our attorneys will take all of this into account when seeking compensation for victims of burn injuries. We will fight to ensure that our clients receive maximum compensation for the full extent of their damages.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one is the victim of a third-degree burn that was caused by the reckless or negligent actions of another party, you may be due financial compensation for your damages. Contact us at your earliest convenience to discuss the details of your injuries with one of the experienced attorneys at Bowles & Verna, LLP. We look forward to hearing from you!