A third-degree burn is a serious injury. It destroys all layers of skin and can damage muscle or bone. Victims may not feel pain at first since the nerve endings are gone, but they face a high risk of infection, fluid loss, and shock. Healing can require surgeries, skin grafts, and long hospital stays. Deep scars and limited mobility can affect daily life and work for years.
A burn injury attorney can work to help victims get compensation for necessary medical care, as well as additional damages suffered as a result of the injury. When you work with a dedicated burn injury attorney, they can explain your rights and help you pursue burn injury claims or a lawsuit to protect your quality of life. Whether you suffered a chemical burn, hot liquid scald, electrical burns, or a full thickness burn from fire, knowing why a third-degree burn is a serious injury can help you take the right steps.
Understanding Different Types of Burns
Not all burns are the same. Each type affects your skin and body differently, and treatment varies by severity.
Partial Thickness Burn vs. Full Thickness Burns
A partial thickness burn—also called a second-degree burn—damages the epidermis and part of the dermis. You’ll see redness, blisters, and pain.
A full thickness burn, however, involves all layers of the skin and may extend into fat or muscle. Third-degree burns and fourth-degree burns fall into this category. You might notice a white or charred look and feel numbness in areas where nerve endings have been destroyed.
Chemical Burn and Electrical Burn
A chemical burn happens when a strong acid or alkali touches the skin. It can continue to damage tissue until fully neutralized. An electrical burn occurs when an electrical current passes through the body. Internal damage can be worse than what you see on the surface.
Hot Liquid Scalds
A hot liquid burn often comes from spilled coffee, boiling water, or steam. The American Burn Association states that most burns related to hot liquid scalds occur in the kitchen or bathroom. While some may be partial thickness, severe scalds can turn into third-degree burns when they reach deeper layers.
Phases of Burn Injury and Treatment
Burns heal in distinct stages. Understanding these phases helps you track recovery and recognize when to seek more care.
- Inflammatory Phase: Your body rushes blood and immune cells to the burned areas to fight infection.
- Proliferative Phase: New skin cells form, and the body replaces damaged tissue. Deep wounds often need skin grafting in order to become completely closed.
- Maturation Phase: Scar tissue strengthens and remodels over months or years. Full thickness burns can leave lasting scars and limit mobility.
Which type of burn injury requires skin grafting? Most full thickness burns—including many third-degree burns—need grafts because the skin can’t heal on its own.
Why Third Degree and Fourth Degree Burns Are Serious Injuries
Third-degree burns destroy both the epidermis and dermis, reaching into fat, muscle, or even bone. Fourth-degree burns go even deeper, often requiring amputation or extensive reconstruction. These severe injuries:
- Destroy nerve endings—sometimes leaving burned areas numb.
- Increase risk of infection and sepsis.
- Cause fluid loss and shock.
- Require multiple surgeries and skin grafting.
- Leave permanent scars that reduce your quality of life.
Impact on Quality of Life
Burn injury victims can face long hospital stays, ongoing physical therapy, and emotional trauma. Severe pain and limited mobility can keep a burn victim from work, hobbies, and family life. Scarring and disfigurement affect self-esteem and mental health. A burn injury attorney understands how these losses form the basis of burn injury claims and compensation.
Seeking Compensation: Burn Injury Claims and Lawsuits
If someone else’s carelessness causes your burn, you can file a lawsuit for your injury. This can happen with things like a faulty appliance that causes electrical burns or a chemical spill at work. These cases commonly become burn injury claims, which are negotiated directly with insurance companies for a fair settlement. When taken to trial, a burn injury lawsuit involves filing a formal complaint in court if you are unable to successfully negotiate a settlement with insurers.
In any personal injury case, your burn injury lawyer will help you gather evidence, including:
- Medical records detailing your third-degree burn injury, skin grafts, and rehab.
- Photos of burned areas and scar development.
- Expert opinions on long-term impact.
- Proof of lost wages and ongoing care costs.
Burn Injury Settlements: What to Expect
A successful burn injury settlement may cover all medical bills, from emergency care to surgeries and skin grafting, as well as rehabilitation, physical therapy, and follow-up appointments. These settlements may also cover lost income during recovery and reduced earning capacity, as well as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment.
Your attorney will help you determine fair compensation. They will work for a settlement that shows the real cost of your recovery and how it affects your daily life.
How a Burn Injury Attorney Helps
A skilled burn injury law firm offers:
- Experience: Proven success with serious burn injury cases.
- Resources: Access to medical experts and accident reconstructionists.
- Support: Guidance through every step of your personal injury case.
- Advocacy: Aggressive negotiation or courtroom representation in a burn injury lawsuit.
Next Steps After a Burn Injury
If you or a loved one suffered a third-degree burn, chemical burn, or electrical burn, don’t wait to protect your rights. Contact a reputable burn injury attorney in Louisiana to discuss your burn injury claims. A free consultation can help you understand your options and start building a strong case. Your future quality of life and financial security depend on timely legal action.
Reach out to Talbot, Carmouche & Marcello today. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.