Lawsuits Against Burn Injuries
According to the American Burn Association, burn injuries affect more than 500,000 Americans per year.
A burn’s severity is determined by the layers of skin that were affected and the size of the damage.
The size of a burn is estimated by the “rule of nines”. This method calculates the body’s surface area into percentages. For example, the front and back of the right arm and hand equals nine percent. So, if a victim suffered a burn injury on both arms, the burn severity would be 18 percent.
Burn Types
There are several types and degrees of burn injuries. Burn injuries types range from thermal, radiation, electrical, chemical, or friction.
Thermal burns
Thermal burns are the most common and caused by fire. They can also be caused by hot objects (pot and pans or curling irons), or scalding liquids.
Radiation burns
Prolonged exposure to UV rays or other sources of radiation (x-rays or nuclear) can cause radiation burns.
Electrical burns
Electrical currents cause these burns. An alternating current (AC) of electricity changes voltage from positive to negative periodically, whereas in a direct current (DC), the voltage is consistent. This means that an AC of electricity can cause more damage, up to five times more than a DC.
Chemical burns
Burns that are caused by strong acids or alkalis, typically a caustic or corrosive substance.
Friction burns
Heat generated from objects, such as rope or treadmills, caused friction burns.
Burn Severity
Burn severity is determined by the layers of skin affected by the damage and falls under three categories, first -, second-, and third-degree.
First-degree burns
Symptoms of a first-degree burn are redness and pain. First-degree burns affect the epidermis, the top layer of skin.
Second-degree burns
Second-degree burns typically leave blisters, and if deep enough, will lead to scaring.
Third-degree burns
This degree can cause numbness and nerve damage because it affects the deepest layer of skin, the hypodermis or subcutaneous tissue.
Filing a Lawsuit
If you’ve been wrongfully injured, you have the right to be compensated for damages and the injuries brought upon you. Another party is responsible for paying for those damages.
Although there is no amount of compensation that could relieve the pain you went through or tragedy you experienced, the monetary rewards you will be compensated could help cover medical expenses.
The first step in filing a lawsuit is to hire a burn injury lawyer. A burn injury lawyer will guide you through the process, make a case for you, and help you win your settlement.