Our Burn Injury Attorneys in Los Angeles Are Here to Assist You
If you or someone close to you has suffered a burn injury, our staff at Trauma Law extends sincere wishes for a swift and thorough recovery. If the injury was partly due to another person’s negligence or if an insurance provider is pushing back on providing you with fair compensation for your damages, our experienced injury attorneys are prepared to take action. We will advocate for your rights to ensure you receive the financial support and medical care needed to help you regain your strength.
Types of Burn Degrees in Burn Injuries
Medical professionals classify burns based on their severity, which refers to how deep they penetrate the skin.
First-degree burns: Minor burns that impact only the outermost layer of the skin are referred to as first-degree burns. Your skin may become red, tender upon contact, and dry, but there will be no blisters or permanent scars.
Second-degree burns: When a burn penetrates deeper into the second layer of skin, it is called a second-degree burn. These excruciating burns can lead to blisters, marks that might linger, and swelling.
Third-degree burns: These are the most severe types of burns. They can damage both the outer and second layers of skin and might even reach the deepest skin layer. Such burns can affect muscle, fat, or even bones beneath. They might not hurt immediately because they can damage the nerves responsible for sensing pain, regardless of their severity.
Types of Burns in California
Burns can also be classified by their causes. A burn caused by a chemical will require a different treatment than one caused by a fire.
- Thermal burn – occurs when a person comes into contact with fire or a very hot object. This type of burn can be further divided into several subcategories:
- Steam Burns – As the name suggests, steam burns are caused by hot vapor. These burns can cause more pain than those from hot water because when steam touches your skin, it transforms back into water. This process requires heat, making the steam even more intense. Therefore, a steam burn can be more severe than a burn from boiling water, which stays at a consistent temperature when it contacts your skin.
- Flame Burns – A flame burn happens when one comes into direct contact with fire.
- Contact Burns – When someone is burned by touching something very hot, like a pot or iron, while carrying out household tasks, it’s classified as a contact burn.
- Explosion Burns – A person can suffer severe burns from a significant explosion, resulting in major injuries, possibly including loss of limbs or even fatalities.
- Chemical Burns – Coming into contact with strong chemicals like chlorine, acid, or bleach can lead to a chemical burn. These injuries often occur in workplaces such as factories or areas where these substances are commonly used. To assist someone with a chemical burn, it is crucial to identify the specific chemicals that caused the injury.
- Electrical Burns – Electrical burns can happen in two main ways. First, if a person’s skin gets burned by a hot wire—that’s akin to being burned by anything too hot to handle. Second, there’s a situation known as electrocution, which involves an internal shock that can severely harm the body. This type of electric shock can create lasting damage. Even if a person appears unharmed on the outside, they may be suffering serious injuries inside, such as to their internal organs or muscles used for movement. So, it is extremely important to seek medical attention quickly, even if they seem fine because internal injuries could be critical.
