What Are the Types and Degrees of Burn Injuries?

LAW BLOG  •

April 9, 2019

Burn injuries are some of the most devastating wounds we can suffer. When a fire strikes, we can suddenly find ourselves permanently disfigured and in severe pain – leading to a diminished quality of life and thousands of dollars in medical expenses. Medical professionals categorize burns into different types and degrees based on the extent and severity of the wounds.

The Different Types of Burn Injuries

Many different accidents can lead to burn injuries. The types of burns you can sustain from these accidents can be very different from each other, coming with their own set of symptoms and treatment options.

  • Electrical burns occur when you touch an electrical outlet or any exposed electrical wires. You experience a bad shock, which can result in a severe burn.
  • Radiation burns occur when you come into contact with a source of radiation, usually X-rays or another radiation treatment. The most common form of radiation burn occurs when you spend too much time exposed to the sun.
  • Chemical burns happen when you work closely with acids, solvents, and other dangerous chemicals. While safety measures are in place to protect you from these materials, coming into contact with chemicals can cause burns to your bare skin.
  • Thermal burns are the most common types of burns. They occur when you come into contact with a very hot object, such as scalding liquids, flames, steam, and hot dishes.
  • Friction burns occur during accidents, usually bike or motorcycle accidents and carpet burns. They occur when a hard object takes off some of your skin, causing abrasion.

First, Second, Third, and Fourth-Degree Burns

When you visit a doctor for your burn injuries, he or she will classify your burn into one of four degrees. These degrees range in severity, with first-degree burns being the mildest and fourth-degree burns being the most severe, life-threatening, and rare. Your symptoms and doctor’s observations will lead to your burn diagnosis in the following four categories.

  • First-degree burns are some of the most common types of burns you can receive. They are the mildest type of burns, and you usually do not need extensive medical care. First-degree burn symptoms include some redness and pain to the outermost layer of skin.
  • Second-degree burns are also quite common, but more serious than first-degree burns. They impact both your outermost layer of skin and the layer of skin underneath it. Symptoms of second-degree burns include bright red and swollen skin and blisters. You will need medical attention for second-degree burns.
  • Third-degree burns are some of the more serious burns you can sustain in an accident, leading to damage to both layers of skin. In addition, you can sustain nerve damage from these burns. Symptoms of third-degree burns include white skin, blackened or charred skin, and numbness. You will need immediate medical attention for third-degree burns.
  • Fourth-degree burns are the most serious and life-threatening burns you can sustain, but are rare. Fourth-degree burns destroy all of the skin’s layers and can lead to damage to your bones, tendons, and muscles.

How to Treat Burn Injuries

Seeking treatment for your burn injuries will depend on the type of burn you sustain. If you have a first-degree burn, you can treat it with skin ointments and pain medication. For second-degree burns, you will need to visit a doctor and receive a special antibiotic cream or ointment to treat your injuries.

Third- and fourth-degree burn treatment will require extensive medical care and surgeries. You may need to undergo skin grafting. If your burns cover large parts of your body, you may need to seek intensive treatments to prevent infection and dehydration.

If you suffered burn injuries in an accident that was not your fault, you can claim compensation for your damages through a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim. Contact a Texas burn injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options and begin your proceedings for compensatory damages.

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