Injuries cause pain, but a severe injury is extremely painful. Such extreme trauma cases have been witnessed which resulted in a loss of facial features, ligaments and that left permanent scars. A small scar which may be a result of a severe burn will take a minimum period of two years at least to heal before the actual process of surgery can begin. You should call a burn and scar attorney right away if you have suffered a serious burn or death because of a fire.
Degree of Burns and Damage
Injuries that result from burns are excruciatingly painful, The way to classify injuries are by the gravity of the degree of the damage.
Following are the three categories of burn injuries:
First Degree Burn
First degree occurs on the first layer of the skin. This type of injury causes mild pain and some swelling. They tend to heal in a week. An example of first degree burns is a sunburn.
Second Degree Burn
A second-degree burn affects the second layer of skin. The burned area of the skin tends to take on a dark-red appearance and blisters start to develop. The injuries caused by second-degree burns cause severe pain and start to swell soon after the contact.
Third Degree Burn
As the name suggests itself by the increasing level, a third-degree burn destroys both the two outer layers i.e. the epidermis and the dermis. These wounds burn through to the third layer of the skin which is called the subcutaneous. These type of injuries have a texture like that of leather on the skin and may be black or white in color. The nerve ending that is present in the skin are severely damaged and often destroyed altogether in the event of third-degree burns.
Moreover, while these injuries may not cause pain, but the area surrounding the charred skin will be prone to feel extreme pain. Known to be the most severe type of burn a person can suffer from, the pain and discomfort caused by third-degree burns may cause increased heart rate or breathing problems. Speak with a personal injury attorney for a free consultation.
Inhalation Accidents Caused by Fire
Inhalation Injuries
When a person inhales smoke, it ends up the toxins being led to his lungs as well. Moreover, this combined with the external burns on the body can increase the possibility of death.
Three types of fire/smoke inhalation injuries which are as follows:
Heat Inhalation
When you directly breathe in hot air/flame source, the powerful force of heat is pushed into lungs which lead to severe damage to the lungs causing “lung burn.” When hot air is inhaled in the nostrils, the damage is due to the mucous membranes which result into breathing issues later on.
Systemic Toxins
Contaminated oxygen which is lethal for people are commonly known as systemic toxins. Carbon monoxide is the standard systemic poison. When a person breathes in smoke, in most of the cases he or she ends up being disoriented or unconscious. The toxic poisoning present in smoke tends to cause severe brain damage and even result in death. These are the most deadly which is why you must speak with a Miami burn and scar injury lawyer right away to help expedite and win the case.
Smoke Inhalation
The top most reason of death which is related to fires happens to smoke inhalation. According to studies, it has been estimated that 75% of the people who end up dying in a fire happened to have inhaled smoke rather than getting severe fire burns.
The signs of smoke inhalation tend to occur within 2-48 hours after the burn. Those who may have inhaled the following symptoms can detect smoke:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Burns near the neck or face
- Soot around mouth or nostrils
- Fatigue or fainting
- Singed eyelashes, eyebrows or nasal hair
Burn Accident Statistics & Other types of burns
In the US statistics indicate that 1 out of 13 death is by fire. Usually caused by children under the age of 5. The reason for fires are matches or lighters these account for 1/3 accidents.
Chemical Burns
When alkaloid or strong acid contacts the skin, it results in a chemical burn. It is imperative you wash the area which had contact with the chemical. Chemicals burn deep into the lawyers of the skin. Therefore, remove any jewelry, clothes or accessories which have been in contact with chemicals. Chemical burns occur in the workplace, but they can also happen at home. Moreover, common household products such as bleach, paint thinner or Drano will cause chemical burns.
Scald Burns
The injuries that are caused by boiling or hot liquids are called as scald burns. Hot liquids happen to be the most frequent cause of scald burns in children. Hot water tends to cause severe and painful scalding burns which need to be paid attention and care to immediately.
Electrical Burns
An electrical burn is caused when a current from a cord, electrical appliance or outlet jumps onto the body the electricity that burns the skin as a result of this causes internal damage.
Some of the examples of how someone can get an electric burn
Accidentally dropping a plugged-in appliance into a sink, tub or water. Sticking a fork or anything which may be a good conductor of electricity, into a toaster or electrical outlet even gnawing at an electrical cord are known to be the frequent causes of electrical burns hurting small children and adults alike while handling electrical appliances.
Thermal Burns
When somebody comes into contact with steam, flames, hot liquids or heated objects, they suffer thermal burns. Products which are the culprit for most thermals burns are the curling iron and straightener. Thermal burns usually occur at home and are quite a common incident that happen with construction workers and roofer during coming in contact with tar and asphalt.
What happens after an injury from a burn
Along with scaring oneself, people who have suffered injuries at the hand of burning tend to suffer from one or all of the following:
- Disfigurement
- Organ damage
- Body chemistry damage
- Physical and emotional trauma
- Sensitivity to change in temperature
- Injury that leaves someone in pain
There are many factors in the classification of burns and how they apply to the law. For example, the location of the injury, the degree of the burn, the source of burn. Some of the injuries that are caused by burns are even capable of threatening the respiratory, circulatory, or even the nervous system. Consequently, the victims who have suffered or suffering from burn-in injury also tend to experience severe psychological as well as emotional trauma and shock after the event has passed.
Types of Scars
Keloid Scars
These scars are those which appear when there happens to be an overgrowth of scar tissue in the burn area. The color of these scars usually is pink or red which tends to become a dark tan shade, over time. Keloid scars tend to be rigid, modular, and thick. While it grows, it can become extremely itchy. Large sized keloid tends to limit a person’s ability to move and cause irritation or discomfort which is caused by clothing or any other material which rubs against them.
Contractures
Contractures are formed when the healthy connective tissue is replaced with the tough fibrous tissue. This makes the skin resistant and restricts it from stretching which keeps from the movement of the burnt area.
Hypertrophic Scars
These scars happen to be thick, commonly seen as red and raised. They are different from keloids and do not develop beyond the incision area or injury site. They improve and heal with time.
Contact a Miami burn and scar injury lawyer
Substantial scarring and burns can psychologically impact you which is difficult to overcome. With the aid of our skilled and qualified attorneys, we can help you in battling the compensation from the party(s) accountable for your injury. If someone you know suffered a burn injury at the cost of somebody’s negligence or business, contact a compassionate lawyer by calling at (305) 529-0001. Our burn injuries attorneys are here to help you in dealing with this issue. Whether it was you or someone you know who suffered a burn injury at hand of others, call us now! We serve Miami, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Doral and Hialeah.