How Are Burn Injuries Different?

Burn injuries can occur in a variety of situations from car accidents to house fires, electrocutions, and more, and can range in severity from first to fourth degree burns, increasing in severity with each level. The damages in a burn injury case are often unique in that they are likely to last beyond that of an average injury.

For example, burn injuries may require continued medical treatment, therapy, and more far into the future. Additionally, depending on the severity and location of the burn, damages to compensate for disfigurement and emotional distress may also be applicable.

Burn injuries may require inherently painful and expensive medical treatment.

While first and second-degree burns may not require ongoing medical treatment or serious surgeries, third and fourth-degree injuries should always receive medical attention immediately and typically into the future as well. While first and second-degree burn injuries may or may not involve some scarring, third and fourth-degree burns typically cause permanent damage and may even be fatal. Third and fourth-degree burns can result in permanent nerve damage and may destroy tissue all the way to the bone, making recovery not only extremely painful, but also increasing the risk of infection.

Severe burns may require skin graft surgeries, in which skin is taken from one part of the body and moved to another in order to cover large wounds. Burn injuries are unfortunately unique in the sense that surgery and recovery tends to be grueling and can result in long-term or permanent disfigurement.

Burn injuries typically require ongoing care and future therapy.

Due to the risk of infection and pain associated with burn injuries, patients are typically required to undergo ongoing treatment including additional surgeries, physical therapy, and emotional therapy to adjust to life changes and overcome the trauma associated with many burn injuries. This is why it is important to find an experienced burn injury attorney to help identify not only the immediate damages suffered by a burn victim and their family, but also the damages that are likely to continue or crop up in the future as well. Impairment of earning capacity, pain and suffering, life care expenses, and more may be applicable in severe burn cases.

Severe burn injuries often result in changes to daily life.

Like any severe injury, it’s reasonable to expect life changes after the fact. Everything from appearance to mobility and even relationships can change in the wake of a catastrophic burn injury. The impact an injury like this can have on a burn victim’s life is why it is so important to consult with a burn injury attorney to learn about your options for recovery. These attorneys typically offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis so that clients and their families can focus on healing rather than worrying about yet another expense. Additionally, an experienced burn injury can direct burn victims and their families to helpful resources for physical, emotional, and financial recovery.

To learn more about burn injuries or to discuss your options after suffering a burn injury, reach out to a burn injury attorney in your area.