What are the different types of burn injuries?

There are four primary types of burn injuries: first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, and fourth-degree burns. First-degree burns are the least severe while fourth-degree burns are the most serious and can permeate down to a person’s subcutaneous tissue, resulting in significant scars and limitations.

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of suffering a minor burn while cooking, building a campfire or after coming in contact with certain chemicals, then you know that they can hurt. What you may not realize is that not all burns are superficial. Individuals who suffer some of the worst types of burns are not only left with visible scarring, but they often suffer from nerve damage and life-altering functional impairments.

Any type of burn injuries that are caused by someone’s negligence or intentional act may have legal liability. For example, if you suffer from burn injuries due to a property owner’s failure to maintain safe premises, you may have the right to hold them liable for your damages. Similarly, if you suffer burn injuries due to a defective product, you may have the right to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer. It’s always best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine your legal rights and options in such cases.

The San Antonio personal injury lawyers at Wyatt Law Firm can examine your claim to help you get compensation for your burn injuries. A personal injury claim can provide the resources you need for medical treatment and to give you peace of mind as you recover.

How do the four burn types differ?

Burn injuries are classified on a scale from first-degree to fourth-degree, with first-degree being the least serious and fourth-degree being the most severe.

• First-degree burns: Physicians consider first-degree burns to be relatively minor because they only affect the uppermost skin layer known as the epidermis. Patients often experience localized swelling, pain and redness near the burn site. 
• Second-degree burns: These affect a few additional, deeper levels of a patient’s skin, including the papillary and dermis. Common symptoms second-degree burn victims may experience include swelling, skin discoloration, pain and blisters.
• Third-degree burns: These are severe injuries. They affect some of the skin’s deepest levels, including the reticular region and dermis, and often leave a patient with a white, leather-like partial-thickness yet little pain.
• Fourth-degree burns: The absolute worst type of burn is a fourth-degree or full-thickness one. These burns can permeate down to a person’s subcutaneous tissue, including the hypodermis. These burns often result in significant scars and limitations.

The more extensive someone’s burns, the more likely they will suffer permanent disability or death. Immediate medical attention is needed for proper burn care and burn treatment. Burn survivors may need extensive physical and occupational therapy and special treatment for proper wound healing.

What are the primary causes of burns?

Several factors, including chemical exposure, house or building fires, electrical issues and malfunctioning products, can all leave someone with severe burns.

A chemical burn is a type of burn injury that occurs when the skin or eyes come in contact with a harmful chemical substance. Chemical burns can be caused by exposure to various substances, including strong acids, alkalis, solvents, and detergents. This type of burn injury can be very painful and can cause severe damage to the skin and underlying tissues. In some cases, the damage caused by a chemical burn may not be immediately visible and may take time to develop.

A house or building fire can cause different types of burn injuries, depending on the intensity and duration of exposure to heat and flames. The most common types of burn injury that occur in fires are second-degree and third-degree burns. In addition, a house or building fire can also cause smoke inhalation injury, which can lead to respiratory problems and even death.

An electrical burn is a type of burn injury that occurs when the skin or tissues come in contact with an electrical current. Electrical burns can be caused due to various reasons, including faulty wiring, damaged electrical cords, or exposure to high voltage power lines. Electrical burns can be very serious and may cause damage to the skin and underlying tissues, as well as internal organs. Depending on the severity of the burn injury, a patient may suffer from nerve damage, muscle damage, cardiac arrest, or other complications.

A defective product can cause different types of burn injuries, depending on the type of product and the nature of the defect. For example, a defective appliance such as a toaster or a hair dryer may cause electrical burns if it malfunctions, while a defective chemical product such as a cleaning agent may cause chemical burns if it comes in contact with the skin or eyes. In addition, a defective product may also cause thermal burns if it overheats or catches fire due to a design or manufacturing defect. If you have suffered a burn injury due to a defective product, you may have the right to file a product liability claim against the manufacturer or seller of the product.

Who may be liable for burn injuries?

In Texas, several parties may be legally liable for a burn injury, depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident. For example, if the burn injury was caused due to the negligence of a property owner or occupier, they may be held liable for the victim’s damages. Similarly, if the burn injury was caused due to the negligence of an employer, the employer may be held liable for the employee’s damages. 

If burn injuries were caused by a defective product, the manufacturer or seller of the product may be held liable for the victim’s damages under product liability laws. It’s always best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine your legal rights and options in such cases. Some possible liability claims from different types of burn injuries include:

• Chemical burn injuries: If the chemical burn was caused due to the negligence of another party, such as a property owner, an employer, or a product manufacturer, they may be held liable for the victim’s damages. For example, if a property owner failed to properly store or label hazardous chemicals, and a visitor suffered a chemical burn injury as a result, the property owner may be held liable for the victim’s medical expenses and other damages. Similarly, if an employer failed to provide adequate training or safety equipment to employees who handle chemicals, and an employee suffered a chemical burn, the employer may be held liable for the employee’s damages. 

• House or building fire: It’s a Texas property owner’s responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe so that they don’t unnecessarily expose their residents, occupants or visitors to potential harm. An attorney may advise you of your right to hold a negligent San Antonio property owner liable for your medical bills as well as other damages if you unnecessarily suffered a burn injury due to their negligence.

• Electrical burn: If the electrical burn was caused due to faulty wiring or electrical equipment in a residential or commercial property, the property owner or landlord may be held liable for the victim’s damages. Similarly, if the electrical burn was caused due to the negligence of an employer, such as failure to provide safety equipment or training to employees working with electricity, the employer may be held liable for the employee’s damages. 

• Defective product: When a burn injury is caused by a defective product, the manufacturer or seller of the product may be held liable for the victim’s damages under product liability laws. In such cases, the victim may file a product liability claim against the manufacturer or seller of the product, and seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. To prove a product liability claim, the victim must show that the product was defective and that the defect caused their burn injury. 

  There are three types of product defects that may be used to establish liability in a product liability claim: design defects, manufacturing defects, and marketing defects. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine whether you have a valid product liability claim and guide you through the legal process.

What are the steps to file a burn injury claim?

If you have suffered a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence or a defective product, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Here are the general steps to file a burn injury claim:

1. Seek medical attention: Your health and recovery should be your top priority after a severe burn injury. Seek immediate medical attention and follow your doctor’s instructions for treatment.

2. Document the incident: Keep records of the incident, including photos of the burn and the scene where it occurred, any witness statements, and a copy of the police or incident report.

3. Contact an attorney: Consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you determine your legal rights and options, and guide you through the legal process.

4. Investigate the incident: Your attorney will investigate the incident to gather evidence and determine liability. This may involve analyzing the cause and nature of the burn injury, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing medical records.

5. Calculate damages: Your attorney will work with you to calculate the damages you have suffered, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any future medical treatment or care you may need.

6. Negotiate a settlement: Your attorney will negotiate with the liable party or their insurance company to reach a fair settlement that compensates you for your damages.

7. File a lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may file a lawsuit on your behalf to recover compensation for your damages.

It’s important to note that the process of filing a burn injury claim can be complex and time-consuming, and the outcome may depend on the specific circumstances of your case. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal process and maximize your chances of a successful outcome.

Why choose Wyatt Law Firm for your burn injury claim?

If you or someone you love suffered a severe burn injury, now is the time to hire a well-versed San Antonio burn injury lawyer. Recovering from serious burns can be a long and painful process, sometimes requiring medical treatment like a skin graft, physical therapy and occupational therapy, depending on severity. You shouldn’t have to worry during the healing process from your traumatic injuries. Wyatt Law Firm proudly, compassionately, and aggressively represents the rights of individuals who have been seriously injured by someone else’s negligence. Our team of experienced burn injury lawyers will examine your claim to find the parties responsible for your burn injuries and fight for compensation for you.