An Overview On Burn Injuries

Burn Injury

Every year, nearly 1.1 million people in the United States suffer from burn injuries that require treatment, according to the American Burn Association. Of these injuries, more or less 45,000 need hospitalization and about 4,500 of these victims lose their lives.

Burn injuries usually cause excruciating pain and may possibly lead to severe disfigurement and life-threatening infections. Victims of these injuries often face many years of surgeries and treatments, resulting in tremendously high medical expenses. Most of them become temporarily, or even permanently disabled, meaning they might lose many months, years, or even a lifetime worth of income. Because of this, it is important that you contact burn injury attorneys in Los Angeles if you have suffered such condition so that you may be able to recover compensation for the damages you sustained.

To help you understand, here is an overview concerning burn injuries.

Causes of Burn Injury

Burn injuries can be caused by many different factors. It may possibly result from the following:

Fires

Motor vehicle accidents

Injuries related to work

Defective products

Other causes

Classification of Burns

Burns may be classified by the cause or type of the burn. Some of the most common type of burns include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.Thermal Burns

These are burns that are caused by an external heat source that increases the skin's temperature and resulting in the death of skin and tissues. These may be cause by:

Flames

Steam

Scalding liquids

Hot metals

2.Chemical Burns

This type of burn is caused by caustic chemicals that come into contact with the eyes or skin. Here are some examples of these chemicals:

Acids

Alkaline

Detergents

Solvents

3.Electrical Burns

Electrical burns result from electric current that pass through the body.

Degrees of Burns

Burns are also classified by the depth or degree of the burn. The following are some of the most common degrees of burns:

First Degree Burns

First degree burns are also known as superficial burns. These damage only the outer layer of the skin called epidermis. The site of the injury is red, painful, and dry without blisters. An example of a first degree burn is mild sunburn.

Second Degree Burns

These burns are also called as partial thickness burns. It involves both the outer layer of the skin, known as epidermis, and part of the second layer of the skin, the dermis. Second degree burns are red, painful, and also involves blistering.

Third Degree Burns

Another term for third degree burns is full thickness burns. Such degree destroys the epidermis and the dermis, and may also damage the underlying muscles, tendons, and bones. The site of the burn appears white, charred, or leathery. Usually, there is no pain associated with third degree burns as the nerve endings in the tissue are also destroyed.

The severity of a burn is also determined by the amount of the total body surface area, or TBSA, involved. The greater the TBSA of the burn, the more serious it is. Here are the classifications of burns as categorized by the total body surface area (TBSA):

1.Minor Burns

10% - 20% TBSA in adults

5% TBSA in the young or elderly

2% full thickness burn

2.Moderate Burns

10% - 20% TBSA in adults

5% - 10% TBSA in the young or elderly

2% - 5% full thickness burn

3.Major Burns

20% TBSA in adults

10% TBSA in the young or elderly

5% full thickness burn

The treatment for burns varies according to its severity. Minor burns are usually treated at a doctor's office or even at home; Moderate ones should be treated at hospitals, while major burns should be treated in specialized burn units of hospitals.

Los Angeles Burn Injury Attorneys

If you have been injured due to the fault of others, you may be entitled to recover damages. It is advisable that you consult with skilled Los Angeles burn injury attorneys to help you with your legal concerns.