Irvine Burn Injury Lawyer

Burn injuries can be an extremely difficult ordeal to overcome, with some victims requiring multiple complex surgeries, extended periods of recovery, possible disfigurement, and emotional scars. Furthermore, these injuries can be very expensive to treat because of the prolonged and extensive medical care needed. With this said, if you have suffered a burn injury due to the negligence of another person or business, it is likely in your best interest to consult with a catastrophic injury lawyer in Irvine to discuss your case and begin filing a claim.

Injury Classifications

First degree burns are the least severe burn injury, as it only damages the epidermis, the outer layer of skin. However this injury can still cause pain, swelling, and redness of the affected area. The epidermis typically does not blister when the injury does not exceed first degree burns.

Typically first degree burns do not need emergency medical treatment; however, if the burn occurs to the face, a major joint or covers a large area, emergency treatment should be sought. As the skin heals from a first degree burn, it will typically peel and within 10 days, it should be healed without scarring.

Second Degree Burns

A second degree burn or a partial thickness burn is more serious because the injury has damaged the epidermis and the dermis, the inner layer of skin, which causes the area to become red or white and to blister.

The burn area may appear wet or shiny, which is caused by blisters opening and is typically painful when touched. If the burn area does not exceed 10% of the body, this may be treated as an out-patient procedure.

Second degree burns generally heal within a month, but require more daily care to protect the wound and to prevent the area from becoming infected. In extreme cases, skin grafting may be necessary, which is removing healthy skin from another area to the impacted area.

Serious Burns

When the burn injury extends to every layer of the skin and the tissue beneath it, it is classified as a third degree burn. This is not an injury that should be treated at home; emergency medical treatment is necessary. Third degree burns can damage the nerves beneath the skin, so the pain may not be immediate; however, it is one of the most serious burns and can cause the body to go into shock.

The skin may become yellow, brown, or take on a waxy appearance and almost always requires surgery. Skin grafting is commonly necessary with third degree burns and this type of injury has a greater chance for complications, including infections.

Fourth degree burns are the most serious of all burns, so medical treatment is always necessary. This injury extends beyond the skin and tissue to include bone, ligaments, fat, and muscle. The injured area is typically charred and black. Usually after this type of injury, use of the burned area is significantly limited and in some cases, it must be amputated.

Talk with an Irvine Burn Injury Attorney About Filing a Claim

The emotional toll from the pain coupled with the permanence of the scarring that often results from burns makes this injury life-altering. Therefore if you were injured following the negligence or the intentional act of another person or entity, an Irvine burn injury lawyer can help you get the compensation that you deserve. Call one today.