Getting a burn injury is a very painful experience. A burn can result from minor incidents like handling a hot pan to major events like car accidents.Burns can also be categorized according to their severity, with first-degree burns being the least severe, while third or fourth-degree burns are the most serious. Treatment for a burn will depend on the severity of the injury.
Common Accidents That Cause Burn Injuries
Many types of accidents can cause burn injuries. Some of the most common include:
House fires
The typical cause of house fires is careless cooking. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fire injuries, accounting for 42% of all home fire injuries. You can prevent house fires by never leaving your cooking unattended. Keep a close eye on what you’re cooking, and make sure to turn off all appliances when you’re finished.
Keep a fire hydrant on hand in case of an emergency, and know how to use it.
Car accidents
Burn injuries from car accidents are often caused by the car’s gas tank exploding. Gasoline is highly flammable, and if there is a spark or flame inside the car, the gas tank can explode, causing severe burns.
Chemical accidents
Chemical accidents can occur in the home or at work. These types of accidents often involve corrosive or poisonous chemicals that come into contact with the skin, causing severe burns.
Electrical accidents
Electrical accidents can happen anywhere there is electricity. These types of accidents are often caused by faulty electrical wiring or equipment. Each type of burn injury is unique and requires different treatment. House fires, for example, often result in thermal-chemical burns, which are a combination of thermal (heat) and chemical burns.
Car accidents, on the other hand, often result in friction burns. Friction burns happen when the skin rubs against a rough surface. No matter what type of burn injury you have suffered, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Burn injuries can be extremely painful and result in serious complications, such as infection.
Types of Burns
There are three main types of burns: first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree.
First-degree burns only affect the outer layer of skin (the epidermis). These types of burns often result from minor incidents, such as touching a hot stove. First-degree burns are usually not serious and will heal on their own within a week.
Second-degree burns affect the outer layer of skin and the second layer of skin (the dermis). These burns are more serious than first-degree burns and can take weeks or months to heal. Second-degree burns often require medical treatment.
Third-degree burns affect all layers of skin and can even damage the tissues underneath the skin. These types of burns are the most serious and can be life-threatening. Third-degree burns often require hospitalization and surgery.
Final Thoughts About Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can be painful and debilitating. If you are the victim of an accident that someone else’s negligence caused, you may be entitled to compensation. An experienced burn injury lawyer can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
