The pain of a severe burn can be unrelenting and interfere with your ability to participate in the activities you enjoy. You might need to undergo countless medical procedures and endure grueling rehabilitation sessions. The last thing you should have to worry about is how to pay for the financial costs of your injuries.
If you believe your burn injury occurred because of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, a catastrophic injury attorney could help hold that party liable for the cost of your injuries and other losses. A Marion burn injury lawyer could help you investigate to determine if filing a personal injury claim could help you get the compensation you need.
Workers at Risk of Burn Injuries
When people think about burns, they usually think about flames from a fire. However, different types of burns can occur from various sources. Unfortunately, many jobs may involve exposure to these sources and put workers at risk of suffering severe injuries.
Thermal Burns
Thermal burns develop when a person’s body suffers direct exposure to flames, scalding liquids from cooking oil or boiling water, explosions, or hot objects such as cooking pans. People who work with flammable materials or hot equipment are most at risk of experiencing thermal burns.
Electrical Burns
Electrical burns develop when someone’s body contacts an electrical current. These types of burns can occur from someone accidentally touching a live, downed power line or falling into water containing an electric source. Utility workers who work on power lines and construction workers are more likely to be exposed to these hazards.
Chemical Burns
Chemical burns develop through contact with acids, corrosives, and household and industrial chemicals like cleaners and fertilizers. Toxic chemicals can damage the skin, as well as the lungs, nose, and mouth. People who work in chemical plants and auto repair shops may be at risk of suffering chemical burns.
A dedicated Marion attorney could help a potential plaintiff investigate the circumstances of their burn injury. Then, a legal professional could determine whether an employer is responsible for allowing dangerous work conditions leading to this harm.
Degrees of Burns
Medical professionals classify burns in varying degrees of severity based on the damage to the person’s skin, tissues, muscles, bones, and internal organs. Depending on the degree of someone’s burns, they may require different levels of treatment that a fair settlement should take into account.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns are mostly superficial burns that only affect the epidermis, the first layer of skin. These burns often cause redness and some inflammation but typically resolve quickly on their own without medical treatment.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns damage the epidermis and affect the dermis, an underlying layer of skin. They can cause skin blisters, take a longer time to heal, and typically require medical treatment. Some second-degree burns result in nerve damage and permanent scarring.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns destroy the outer layers of skin and underlying tissue and may leave skin looking charred. These burns are often serious enough to require extensive medical care, including reconstructive surgery and skin grafts.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Fourth-degree burns can cause severe damage to the skin, nerve endings, muscles, and bones. Sadly, these burns can be fatal.
A compassionate Marion attorney understands burn injury survivors face many challenges, but affording medical treatment should not be one of them. When a loved one passes away from their burn injuries, a legal professional could pursue compensation to help support surviving family members.
Speak to a Marion Burn Injury Attorney
Unfortunately, there are many circumstances that may lead to someone suffering a severe burn injury. Industrial workers may be exposed to hazards at work, but fiery vehicle collisions, defective products, and unsafe products can all lead to unexpected catastrophic harm.
If somebody else caused your burn injuries, they should be responsible for paying the cost of your medical treatment and other losses. Speak to a Marion burn injury lawyer at Whetstone Perkins & Fulda about your legal options.