The National Institutes of Health report that around 1.8 million people are injured, and 500 die because of burn injuries every year. A burn injury can be devastating for the patient and the family members as it could result in permanent scarring or disfigurement, loss of function, or even death.
In this article, we will talk about different types, causes, and compensation claims of burn injuries. Let’s dive in!
What are the Different Types of Burn Injuries?
Burn injuries are further classified as first, second, third, and fourth-degree burns.
1st Degree:
Involves damage or destruction of the outer layer (epidermis) of skin.
Symptoms include redness, blisters, mild swelling, pain, and itchiness. These burns usually heal in 2-3 weeks with minimal scarring.
2nd Degree:
Involves damage to both the epidermis and dermis layer of skin.
Symptoms include redness, blisters with clear fluid, swelling, bruising, pain, and itching. These burns heal within 21 days in most cases, but they will leave a noticeable scar that is whiter than the surrounding skin.
3rd Degree:
These burns extend through the entire skin thickness and may even grow into tissues below, such as fatty or muscle tissue.
Symptoms include white, charred appearance, numbness, and lack of pain in the affected area. In addition, 3rd-degree burns usually need surgery for debridement (removal) of dead tissue, and they can cause permanent scarring.
4th Degree:
A fourth-degree burn involves damage to the dermis and subcutaneous tissue (layer of fatty cells below the skin) or even muscles, tendons, and bones.
Symptoms include a white, charred appearance with deep layers of burned tissue showing through. They can cause permanent scarring, but most importantly, they are frequently associated with severe complications such as infections due to extensive tissue damage.
Most Frequent Causes of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries are often the result of an accident, but not always. Sometimes they are caused by an intentional act or negligent conduct, after which you could seek compensation for your property damage and pain and suffering.
There are many causes for burn injuries in today’s society and different degrees of burns.
The most common causes for minor burns include oven accidents, curling irons that have been forgotten about on a person’s clothes, kitchen utensils that have been left near open flame, or hot surfaces that result in searing flesh and firecrackers.
For major burns, people often sustain these types of injuries by getting caught in the middle of a forest fire, having an out-of-control campfire, or even being struck by lightning.
Burn Injuries Compensation Claims:
If you have suffered a burn injury due to another person’s fault, you should discuss your case with a personal injury attorney who can help you determine if filing a lawsuit will benefit your situation.
Many insurance companies offer compensation to victims of burn injuries.
However, you might find it challenging to file a claim against your insurer if they reject your application on one pretext or the other. Therefore, it is crucial to understand what qualifies as a valid burn injury case according to your state’s laws.
Below are some helpful pointers that would help you get through the compensation process with minimal hiccups:
1) If you have suffered first or second-degree burn injuries that required medical treatment!
Then you are considered a victim of an accident under your state’s personal injury laws.
Therefore, you are entitled to file a claim against the negligent party for causing the accident. For example, if you have suffered burn injuries in a car collision, both drivers can file lawsuits against each other depending on the extent of their respective injuries.
2) If your burn injury occurred in an industrial or work-related setting!
Then you need to consider filing a workers’ compensation claim instead of filing a civil suit.
Many states require employers to purchase workers’ liability insurance coverage to provide benefits such as wage replacement, medical care, and rehabilitation services to injured employees while performing assigned job duties. Therefore, you should contact your state’s workers’ compensation department to determine if you are eligible to file a claim.
3) You can also file an injury claim against the manufacturer of defective products that caused your injuries!
For instance, if your car caught fire due to faulty wiring or electrics, then both the driver and the vehicle’s manufacturer can make claims against each other depending on their respective degree of fault.
According to National Fire Protection Association, around 485 deaths occur every year in the US because of vehicle fires. So it is crucial for manufacturers of cars and other vehicles sold in this country to adhere fully to stringent safety standards while manufacturing new cars and maintaining old ones on roads. However, lawsuits filed by victims of defective product accidents have high success rates provided you can prove that the product had a defect and it caused your injuries. A lawyer who specializes in products liability cases would be able to help you file a successful claim against the manufacturer of a defective product or part that led to your injuries.
4) In case of medical malpractice occurring at hospitals, nursing homes, or other healthcare establishments!
Then you can consider filing a medical negligence lawsuit against them instead of filing an injury claim with the state.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, around 33 percent of all accused negligent parties are hospitals, so it is advisable for patients who have suffered burn injuries because of negligent behavior by hospital staff members to hire a lawyer as soon as possible. Hospitals have insurance companies backing their claims, so if you lose a lawsuit filed against a hospital, it would be challenging to win the case the next time. Therefore, you should consult a personal injury attorney who can help you file a medical malpractice claim and convince insurance companies to defend negligent parties in such lawsuits.
5) In case of burn injuries resulting from an accident caused by another individual!
It is advisable for victims to hire a lawyer as soon as possible to make sure their interests are not compromised by the other party’s insurance company during settlement negotiations.
According to No-Fault News, around 34 percent of all bodily injury claims resulting from accidents that occurred in 2008 were settled outside court. It means it is crucial for victims of severe burn injuries caused by negligence or reckless behavior on the part of another party to hire a personal injury lawyer who understands complex laws and regulations governing traffic accidents.
6) If your accident occurred at a bar or restaurant!
Then you can consider filing lawsuits against these establishments instead of filing injury claims with the state. Because most states do not have specific laws to protect customers from suffering injuries due to negligent behavior on the part of bar owners and their staff members.
In case your injury occurred when an intoxicated person fell on you while sitting at a pub or club. Victims should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible so they can file a lawsuit against bars, pubs, and other drinking establishments that serve alcohol illegally.
According to the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, more than 5,000 people die in the US each year because of alcohol poisoning.
7) If your injuries result from defective toys!
You should hire a personal injury lawyer who can help you file lawsuits against toy manufacturers instead of filing an injury claim with the state. Because most states have specific laws that protect victims from suffering further injuries because of defective toys.
According to Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 164,000 toy-related injuries had been treated by hospitals during 2008. It means parents and guardians must buy only those toys that carry necessary safety certifications required by law, such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories Inc.) certification.
8) In case your burn injuries occurred as a result of an electrical accident at your workplace!
You should hire an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you file lawsuits against your employer because most states do not have specific laws in place to protect workers from suffering injuries because of negligence on the part of their employers.
According to National Council on Compensation Insurance, more than 1,400 claims for burn injuries had been filed by office employees during 2010, so if you are one among those victims, then you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
9) In case your burn injuries occurred due to defective gas equipment such as a faulty water heater or furnace installed at your home!
Then you should hire a seasoned and experienced personal injury attorney who can help you file lawsuits against the manufacturers of defective gas products instead of filing injury claims with the state.
Because most states do not have specific laws to protect consumers from suffering injury because of defective gas equipment.
According to National Safety Council, around 100 people die each year because of carbon monoxide poisoning caused by malfunctioning gas furnaces and water heaters.
10) In case your burn injuries occurred as a result of defective electrical wiring or outlets!
Then you should hire an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you file lawsuits against the manufacturer of faulty electrical appliances instead of filing injury claims with the state. Because most states do not have specific laws to protect consumers from suffering further injuries because of defective electrical devices such as lights, switches, and outlets.
According to Consumer Product Safety Commission, around 19,000 people suffer severe burns during their lifetime, so you must buy only those electrical appliances that carry the necessary safety certifications required by law.
For more information about personal injury claims, please feel free to call us on 212-888-2686 to help you file a legitimate claim against the party or parties responsible for your injuries without any delay. We will provide you with the cheapest and most reliable legal services, so you don’t have to suffer because of another person’s carelessness and negligence.