Springfield Burn Injury Lawyers

What Are Burn Injuries?

Most people think of burns as heat-caused injuries, but they have a much larger range. A burn is any injury in which a transfer of energy causes skin cells to die. Though caused in different ways, most burns have similar symptoms and treatment methods. All can range from minor to fatal depending on the victim’s circumstances.

What Are the Different Types of Burns?

Separated by cause, burns are categorized as one of the following:

• Thermal burns, which are caused by heat, are the most common type of burn injury. They can be subcategorized into contact burns (which result from touching a hot object), scald burns (which result from touching a hot liquid or steam), and fire burns.
• Chemical burns occur when your skin comes into contact with materials that are strongly acidic or alkaline. They may be caused by anything from home cleaners to industrial materials and can affect the skin, eyes, and internal organs.
• Electrical burns result from a current flowing through your body and come from uninsulated wires or other sources of electricity.
• Radiation burns are caused by exposure to dangerous high-energy particles like UV rays from the sun and x-rays.
• Friction burns happen when the skin rubs against another surface or is scraped. For instance, if a motorcyclist is not wearing proper clothing or gear and they crash, if part of their body slides across the ground, it can cause serious friction burns.

How Are Burns Classified?

You have likely heard burn classifications before—demarcations based on the severity of an injury. The intensity of the contact and the duration someone is exposed factor into how serious a burn is. Medical providers use the following classifications when diagnosing burn injuries:

• First-degree burns affect only the epidermis, or the top layer of skin. They can be treated at home and usually have no lasting effects.
• Second-degree burns affect both the epidermis and part of the layer under it (the dermis). They typically turn bright red and may be shiny, swollen, and blistered. If larger than a few inches in size, doctors recommend you seek professional treatment for these wounds.
• Third-degree burns result in the death of both epidermis and dermis and can affect subcutaneous tissue as well. They often destroy hair follicles, sweat glands, and nerve endings. Third-degree burns typically appear either white or a charred/blackened color and always necessitate medical care. Your skin will never fully recover from this type of burn.
• Fourth-degree burns go through all layers of skin and affect the fat underneath. Because nerve endings have been destroyed, these burns may not hurt.
• Fifth-degree burns affect muscle tissue, which will never fully recover from the damage. Often injuries of this severity require amputation because graft technology has not advanced enough to be useful in cases of muscle death.
• Sixth-degree burns are the deepest type of burn, charring victims to the bone. They are typically fatal due to the amount of shock the body sustains.

What Are the Lifelong Consequences of Serious Burns?

Victims who survive severe burns will likely be affected by the injury for the rest of their life. Permanent disfiguration around the burn site is nearly guaranteed. If the burn affected a bone or muscle, it might not be possible to ever use the limb ever again. Damaged organs may become disabled or inefficient, which can also cause secondary complications.

Adjusting to life after a severe burn injury is understandably difficult. Victims might not be able to return to work for quite some time. When they do, it might also be necessary to be placed into another role. Close family members can also be affected by a burn injury, as they might have to readjust their personal lives to help care for their loved one.

Call Strong-Garner-Bauer, P.C. at (417) 855-2022 to speak with our Springfield-based team. We offer free consultations and provide the strong advocacy you need.