Types and Causes of Burn Injuries

There are numerous types of injuries that a person may sustain, but burn injuries often have a long-term effect on not only the internal parts of the body, but also on the external appearance of the victim. Unfortunately, burn injuries are something that many people experience at some level of severity or another in their lifetimes. For more serious injuries, however, it can be a tragic experience to deal with. If the burn injury is caused by someone else, victims should know the types of degrees and causes to take proper legal action.

Types of Degrees of Burn Injuries

There are technically four types of burn injuries, but the majority of incidents involve first degree, second degree, and third degree burns. First degree burns often result in red skin, but there are no blisters. A victim of second degree burns may get blisters and the skin may thicken. Second degree burns can be either partial or full, with full second degree burns possibly requiring skin grafts to heal.

If a person sustains a third degree burn, the injury may go deeper than the first layer of skin. It can reach the underlying tissue, requiring medical treatment including grafting. If someone sustains a fourth degree burn, damage can be done to the muscle, ligaments, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, or bones.

Sources of Burn Injuries

There are four sources of burn injuries that are considered to be the most common. These include the following:

• Thermal burns – These are burns that result from high temperatures, including explosions, scalding hot liquids, fires, or contact with hot materials such as pans or other items.
• Electrical burns – These types of burns are the result of electrical currents such as a shock. Even if there is no physical evidence of the burn, victims should still receive medical attention.
• Radiological burns – This is the least common of the burn sources, but if radiation does cause a burn, the victim may need decontamination.
• Chemical burns – These are common in workplaces where there are acidic or alkali substances present. They may continue to cause injury the longer the exposure, so getting medical help quickly is important.

At Cannon & Dunphy, S.C. our Wisconsin burn injury attorneys represent individuals who have been harmed due to the negligence of another person. We want to help our clients seek the compensation they deserve when they deserve it the most.

Call us today to discuss a potential case.