Burns can have several degrees of severity and different sources, making them some of the most complicated types of injuries. They can also be the most painful, sometimes requiring extensive surgeries and skin grafting.
You may be eligible for financial compensation when you have sustained a burn caused by someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior. An Orland Park burn injury lawyer from the MJB Law Offices could help you file a claim to recover compensation. Call today to speak with a skilled catastrophic injury attorney.
Understanding Types and Degrees of Burns
Burns are commonly associated with heat from fire, stoves, machinery, and hot liquids like boiling water. However, extreme cold can also cause burns. For example, freezing winter weather can lead to frostbite.
Some household cleaners and industrial chemicals are corrosive and could cause chemical burns when they come into contact with someone’s skin or blindness if they touch the soft tissue of the eyes. These chemicals could cause significant damage to internal organs, which could be fatal if they are ingested.
Whether it is from heat, cold, or chemical sources, the severity of a burn is usually measured by four degrees, which depends on the layer of skin that has been damaged.
A first-degree burn only touches the outer layer of skin, but a second-degree burn seeps through that first layer to reach the layer the skin is supposed to protect. A third-degree burn destroys the first and second layers and affects the underlying tissues, and a fourth-degree burn penetrates deep enough to damage the muscle or bones.
While first and second-degree burns could be treated with time and medication, third or fourth-degree burns could require extensive surgery to make a full recovery. Anyone who experiences any degree of burn injuries should seek immediate medical attention and then talk to an attorney in Orland Park. A knowledgeable lawyer could help you seek compensation for your injuries.
Common Causes of Burn Damage
Some burns are self-inflicted, like touching a hot stove or not putting on sunscreen, but these are usually minor first—or second-degree burns. Unfortunately, more severe third—and fourth-degree burns can result from accidents caused by someone else’s negligence or recklessness.
Hot liquids and chemicals must be handled and stored carefully and in a way that does not put others at risk of coming into contact. Improper storage or failure to follow safety procedures for some materials could result in a fire or explosive hazard.
Proper safety equipment should be provided in some situations to prevent burn damage. Recreational products like fireworks must also be shot away from spectators to prevent injury.
When burn accidents occur because of someone else’s behavior, the injured party may be eligible to recover financial compensation for their medical treatment, lost wages, and emotional anguish. A dedicated Orland Park attorney could help individuals with burn injuries file a damages claim.
Consult an Orland Park Burn Injury Attorney Today
Getting burned is an extremely painful experience and could require surgery to heal. When you have been injured because of someone else’s actions, bring your case to an Orland Park burn injury lawyer.
You may be eligible to recover financial compensation for your injuries, and the MJB Law Offices could guide you through your options. Contact our law office today to talk to a compassionate and well-versed personal injury attorney about your case and get started on your claim.
