Each year, people are catastrophically burned, injured, and killed by defective products and the negligence of others. These injuries can be especially devastating because the treatment is often painful, time consuming, and expensive, and the emotional toll from having survived or witnessing someone you love experience burns can last forever. If you or your loved ones have suffered from burn injuries, you certainly aren’t alone. And if the burn injuries were caused by another, you may be able to have the at-fault party pay for treatment, pain and suffering, and other expenses and damages.  This article discusses the basic facts and terminology that comes up in burn injury cases, and the important things to know if you’ve been hurt in an incident involving burns.

What Are the Different Degrees of Burns?

Doctors measure burns by the percent of total body surface area (% TBSA) affected. Minor burns are those which affect less than 15% TBSA in adults and less than 10% TBSA in children. Major burns are those which affect up to 35% TBSA in adults and 30% TBSA in children. Anything beyond these thresholds is considered to be critical or life-threatening burns.

Oftentimes, we hear of burns being classified under a specific degree. Based on the extent and severity of the damage, there are four degrees of burns, with first degree being the mildest, and fourth degree being the most severe.

1. First-Degree Burns (aka Superficial Burns): These burns affect only the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. Symptoms include redness, pain, and mild swelling. The affected area may also feel dry and itchy. Sunburn and short contact cooking injuries are common examples of first-degree burns.
2. Second-Degree Burns (aka Partial Thickness Burns): These burns affect the epidermis and the second layer of skin called the dermis. Symptoms include redness, severe pain, and blistering. The affected area may also be swollen, and may blister and leak clear fluid. Second-degree burns can take several weeks to heal, and they may leave scars. Other times, more severe second-degree burns can go further into the skin and involve both the epidermal and deeper dermal layers. Scarring for this type of wound can be severe, and these types of wounds can require more involved burn treatment. Raised scars (i.e. hypertrophic burn scars) can result from deeper second-degree burns.
3. Third-Degree Burns (aka Full Thickness Burns): Third-degree burns affect the epidermis and dermis and penetrate into underlying tissue (i.e., the subcutaneous tissue). The burn site may look white or blackened and charred. Symptoms may include charring, a leathery texture, and a loss of sensation in the affected area. Third-degree burns require immediate medical attention and often result in permanent scarring, loss of sensation, and sometimes amputation. Skin grafts will likely be used to help heal the burned area.
4. Fourth-Degree Burns: These are the most severe type of burn injury and affect all layers of the skin, in addition to muscles, tendons, and bones. Symptoms include charred skin, bone, or muscle, and a loss of sensation in the affected area. These burns require emergency medical attention, and the affected area may require amputation.

Sources of Burn Injuries

Burns can also be classified based on the source of the injury. These categories include:

1. Thermal Burns: These burns are caused by exposure to flames, hot liquids or surfaces, or steam.
2. Chemical Burns: These burns are caused by strong acids, alkalis, detergents, or solvents coming into contact with the skin or eyes.
3. Electrical Burns: These burns are caused by exposure to an electric current, which can damage the skin and underlying tissue and can also affect internal organs.
4. Radiation Burns: These burns are due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun, or to other sources of radiation such as X-rays.

No matter the type of burn injury you or a loved one has suffered, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention and consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to understand your legal options.

What Doctors and Medical Professionals Are Involved in Treating Burn Injuries? 

Treating burn injuries can be a complex and challenging process that often requires the expertise of several medical professionals. Depending on the severity of the burn, the following doctors and medical professionals may be involved in the treatment process:

1. Emergency Room Doctors: Emergency room doctors will encounter a burn patient in the moments following an incident where urgent and effective treatment is crucial. Emergency room doctors are trained to provide life-saving treatments for burn victims, such as administering fluids, pain medication, and oxygen.
2. Surgeons: Burn surgeons, plastic surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, and other surgeons can be integral in surgical treatment of partial and full thickness burn injuries. They may be involved in the early stages of treatment, and may perform skin grafts, skin debridement, scar revision treatments, and other reconstructive surgeries to repair the damage caused by burns.
3. Infectious Disease Specialists: To assist in treating any infections that may arise during treatment.
4. Physical Therapists: If the burn injury has caused physical limitations or scarring, physical therapists can help to improve function and mobility in the affected area.
5. Occupational Therapists: These professionals can help burn victims regain independence in their daily activities by providing assistance with daily living skills, such as dressing and bathing, and preparing to return to work.
6. Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Social Workers: Psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers can provide support and counseling to help individuals cope with the psychological effects of a burn injury since these injuries are often traumatic and can cause emotional distress for both the victim and their loved ones.

Treatment for Burn Injuries

Burn injury treatment depends on the severity of the burn. In general however, treatment for burn injuries may include:

Pain Management: Burn injuries can be incredibly painful. Pain management techniques may include the use of medications, such as painkillers, and/or topical treatments, such as lidocaine cream.

Wound Care: Proper wound care is crucial for healing burn injuries. This may include cleaning the burn, applying topical treatments, and changing bandages.

Skin Grafts: In cases of severe burn injuries, skin grafts may be necessary to replace damaged skin. Skin grafting involves removing healthy skin from one area of the body, known as the donor site, and transplanting it to the burned area, known as the recipient site. The transplanted skin is known as a skin graft. The procedure is usually performed after the burn has been stabilized, which means that the patient’s vital signs and overall condition are stable.

Notably, the skin used for the procedure is often obtained from the patient’s own body, and typically from an area of the body that has excess skin, such as the thighs or abdomen. In some cases, if the patient does not have enough healthy skin for a graft, donor skin may be used. Once the skin for the skin graft has been identified, the skin is placed over the burned area and secured with surgical staples or sutures. If accepted by the injured area, the skin graft provides a framework for the growth of new skin cells.

Skin grafts have a relatively high success rate but are not always successful, and  depend on various factors including the extent and severity of the burn injury, the size of the wound, and the overall health of the patient. In some cases, the skin graft may fail to take or may become infected, which can lead to further complications. The failure of a skin graft can result in the need for additional surgeries or other treatments. As for pain, skin grafting is a surgical procedure, and there may be some discomfort associated with the procedure. However, the amount of pain experienced will vary depending on the individual’s pain tolerance, the extent of the grafting, and the pain management techniques used by the medical team. In most cases, pain management techniques such as local anesthesia or sedation are used during the procedure to minimize pain and discomfort. After the procedure, patients may experience pain, swelling, and discomfort at both the donor and recipient sites. Pain medication and other pain management techniques may be used to manage these symptoms.

Physical and Emotional Rehabilitation: Burn injuries can result in long-term physical and emotional trauma. Rehabilitation may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and counseling. 

How Long Does It Take for a Burn to Heal?

The healing time for a burn injury varies widely depending on several factors, including the severity of the burn, the size of the burn, the location of the burn, and the age and overall health of the patient. Burn injuries can result in scarring and long-term effects even after the initial healing process. Scarring and other complications can affect the burn survivor’s physical appearance, mobility, and overall quality of life.

Is There Any Way to Minimize or Prevent Burn Scarring?

Scars form when the dermal or lower layer of the skin has been damaged. Thus, the more severe the burn and the deeper the layer of skin that has been affected, the more likely it is that a scar will form. Scarring usually develops within the first few months after a burn, peaks around 6 months, and resolves or “matures” in 12-18 months. As scars mature, they typically fade in color, become flatter, softer and generally less sensitive. Some ways to minimize or reduce burn scarring are:

1. Use of Pressure Garments and Wraps: Putting pressure on the burned scar tissue can break up tightened cells and improve the appearance of burn scars.
2. Take a Multivitamin: Vitamins A, C, E, and B complex work together to boost the skin cell rejuvenation process and can help prevent and reduce scars from forming by encouraging collagen fiber production in the body. Collagen aids the body in replacing dead tissue.
3. Apply Aloe Vera: Infections are arguably the worst enemy of a burn wound trying to heal. Aloe vera acts as a natural kind of antibiotic that can be applied right after a minor burn injury and thereafter. It can repair skin while cooling it down at the same time. By preventing infection, a burn patient can prevent unnecessary additional treatments and surgeries, and aim to reduce the scarring that comes with it.
4. Moisturize: Burn injuries may feel dry and itchy. The itching often results from layers of skin being burned and prevented from releasing natural oils from glands in the skin. By moisturizing regularly and frequently, a burn survivor can ideally avoid itching and skin irritation, which will reduce the likelihood of further aggravating scarred skin.
5. Laser Therapy: Lasers can be used to break down scar tissue and soften the skin. In many cases, this can help restore the skin’s function, reduce pain, and improve the scar appearance for burn injury survivors.

Why You Need a Personal Injury Attorney

Burn injuries are often severe and the treatment can be incredibly expensive. For minor burns that can be treated on an outpatient basis, the cost of treatment may be relatively low. However, for severe burns that require hospitalization, surgery, and ongoing medical care, the financial cost can be substantial. We have seen costs for third and fourth degree burn treatment reach into the millions.

In addition to hospitalization and medical treatment, burn injury victims may also incur other costs, such as lost wages, rehabilitation, and ongoing care. These costs can add up quickly, placing a significant financial burden on victims and their families.

If however the burn injury was caused by the negligence of another party, the victim may be able to recover compensation to help cover these costs. A personal injury lawsuit can help to hold the responsible party accountable and provide financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.

An experienced personal injury attorney can help you recover the compensation you deserve for your burn injury. They can investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury, gather evidence, and negotiate with insurance companies and the at-fault party’s legal team. A skilled personal injury lawyer can also represent you at trial if a settlement cannot be reached.

Without an experienced personal injury attorney, you may not be able to recover the full amount of compensation you need to cover the costs of your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. A personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing and moving forward.

Get Help from Our Burn Injury Lawyers

If you or your loved ones have been burned and you believe someone else’s negligence or a defective product may have caused the burn injuries, it is vital that you reach out to a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as you can. Failure to file a lawsuit by certain deadlines (i.e. the “statute of limitations”) can result in you giving up your claim forever.

Whether you’re in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, or anywhere else in the country, we’re standing by and ready to assist you with your case. Our law firm focuses its energy on product liability and personal injury cases and our lawyers are ready to talk with you about your unique situation. We’ll provide a free review of your case, and will inform you about your legal options and the best way to pursue a potential claim.

If you believe someone else’s negligence or a defective product may have caused burn injuries to you or your loved ones, call us now for a free case evaluation.