Burn injuries are quite common, affecting millions of people each year across the globe. They can occur in various environments, from the home to the workplace, and the severity of these injuries can range from minor to life-threatening. Many burn injuries can be prevented with safety measures and awareness of potential hazards.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries
Burns can be categorized into various types, each with different causes and levels of severity. The most common types include thermal, radiation, electrical, and chemical burns. It’s essential to understand the difference between these burns as they each require unique approaches for treatment and can vary significantly in terms of legal liability.
Thermal Burns
The most common type of burn injuries are known as thermal burns, which typically result from exposure to extreme heat. This heat can come from a variety of sources, and the severity of the burn often depends on the temperature and duration of contact.
For instance, one common source of thermal burns is flame or fire, such as house fires or car accidents. In these instances, the flames can directly contact the skin, causing immediate damage. The severity varies, ranging from superficial burns that only affect the outer layer of the skin, to full-thickness burns that can damage all layers of the skin and underlying tissues.
Another example of thermal burns is scalding. This usually occurs when the skin comes into contact with hot liquids or steam. Scalding can happen during everyday activities such as cooking or bathing. In an industrial setting, workers might be exposed to steam pipes or hot liquid chemicals, resulting in scalding burns.
Contact burns are another type of thermal burn. These burns are often caused by touching hot objects such as stoves, irons, or heaters. It’s a common occurrence in work-related injuries, especially in professions like construction, manufacturing, and food service.
Radiation Burns
Radiation burns are injuries caused by exposure to ionizing radiation—a kind of energy released by atoms in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles. These burns can occur in various situations, including sunburns and during radiation therapy for cancer treatment.
In some workplaces, there is an increased risk of radiation exposure that could lead to radiation burns. For example, an employee working at a nuclear power plant could potentially be exposed to high levels of ionizing radiation in the event of a safety protocol breach or a nuclear accident. Similarly, in the medical field, radiologists and X-ray technicians are at risk of prolonged exposure to the X-rays used in radiography if there is an accident or safety protocols are not strictly followed.
Electrical Burns
Electrical burns occur when an electric current passes through the body, often from appliances or power lines. These burns can be deceptive from the surface, with most damage possibly occurring under the skin. They can damage internal tissues, nerves, and even bones, making them complex to treat and potentially life-threatening.
Electrical burns can happen when a person accidentally touches an exposed wire or uses a faulty electrical appliance, such as a toaster or a hairdryer, resulting in an electric shock that causes a burn. In certain professions like construction or electrical maintenance, individuals may be at a higher risk because of their frequent interactions with electrical systems. For example, an electrician may suffer an electrical burn while working on a live circuit if the proper safety precautions are not taken.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns result from contact with corrosive substances like strong acids or bases. These burns can also occur if a harmful substance is ingested or inhaled. Chemical burns can be threatening as they continue to damage the skin until the offending substance is completely removed or neutralized.
Most commonly, chemical burns can occur from contact with strong household cleaners, such as bleach or drain cleaners. For example, spilling these concentrated substances on your skin or accidentally getting them in your eyes can result in a chemical burn.
In an industrial setting, workers may be at risk of chemical burns if they handle corrosive substances without proper safety gear or if there is an accident that leads to exposure. For instance, if a container of strong acids or alkaline substances spills, splashes or leaks, making contact with a plant worker’s skin or eyes, they might suffer a chemical burn.
Understanding the Severity of Burn Injuries
No matter the cause, burns can be incredibly painful and may require immediate medical attention. The severity of a burn is typically categorized into different “degrees,” which are used to indicate the extent of tissue damage.
- First-degree burns are the mildest, affecting only the skin’s outer layer, or epidermis. These burns may cause redness, minor inflammation or swelling, and pain.
- Second-degree burns are more serious, damaging both the epidermis and the underlying dermis. This results in red, blistered skin and severe pain.
- Third-degree burns extend through the entire thickness of the skin. They may appear white, blackened, or charred, and because nerve endings are often destroyed, they may not initially be painful.
- Fourth-degree burns damage the tissue underneath the skin, including nerves, muscles, and even bones.
Each degree of burn requires a different level of medical care, from over-the-counter treatments for first-degree burns to immediate, professional medical attention for third- and fourth-degree burns. It’s crucial to accurately assess the severity of a burn to ensure proper treatment and healing.
How A Burn Injury Attorney Can Help
Following a burn injury, an attorney can provide crucial support and guidance. They can help you understand your rights and the legal options available to you, particularly if the burn was caused by another party or parties’ negligence or a workplace accident. An attorney can also assist in accurately estimating the cost of your injuries, including medical bills, loss of income, and even non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, reach out to our team at Talbot, Carmouche & Marcello for a free consultation. Once we learn more about your accident, our team can guide you through the next steps.