The Different Causes of Burn Injuries
When people are injured in severe accidents, they come to Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC in Oklahoma City because they know our attorneys will fight hard for them. We have years of experience dealing with complex litigation matters, striving for justice and fairness for our clients.
When it comes to lawsuits over serious burn injury, we take extra care to help, knowing that major burns can require long-term medical treatment, including reconstructive surgery and physical rehabilitation.
Degrees of Burns
You're likely aware of the different degrees of burns. Let's quickly cover each classification so you know what defines each type:
-
First-Degree Burns – The mildest type of burns compared to the others, first-degree burns lead to the reddening of the topmost layer of the skin (epidermis)
-
Second-Degree Burns – Second-degree burns (partial thickness burns) affect the epidermis and underlying dermis, which results in redness, swelling, and blistering of the skin
-
Third-Degree Burns – Third-degree burns (full thickness burns) are the most serious kinds of burns, affecting deeper tissues of the body (e.g., muscles, nerves, bone) and resulting in charring of the skin, turning it white or black in the process
Potential Causes of Burn Injuries
Some of the most common causes of burns include the following:
-
Fire and Flames – Perhaps the most obvious cause of burns, open flames can lead to severe pain and injury
-
Hot Liquids or Steam – Scalding liquids and hot steam shouldn't be taken for granted in the context of burns since these can do serious harm to people
-
Hot Solid Objects – When a solid object is very hot, such as a clothes iron, a person can experience serious simply by touching said object
-
Electricity – Electrical currents can shock people very badly, though serious shocks can also lead to different degrees of burns
-
Chemicals – Caustic substances such as acids and cleaning supplies can cause mild to severe burns, which is why they need to be handled with care
-
Sun Damage and UV Rays – Long exposure to the sun as well as prolonged time under a UV ray bulb can burn you rather than just give you a simple tan
-
Radiation – When exposed to a large dose of radiation, it's possible for the radiation to burn a person, sometimes severely
Seeking Damages in a Lawsuit
When seeking damages in a burn injury lawsuit, you will often look for compensatory damages as well as punitive damages.
Compensatory damages are meant to cover medical expenses, lost wages, the need for future medical care, and so on; in essence, they cover actual losses related to the injury. Punitive damages, on the other hand, will punish the negligent party for the egregiousness of their actions or failure to act.
How an Attorney Can Help You
The legal system can be quite complex, and it takes real know-how to hold negligent individuals and entities accountable for what they've done. By working with an attorney, you will receive the peace of mind knowing that the complicated litigation issues are being handled by an expert. You can then focus on recovery, wellness, and moving forward.
Speak with the Lawyers of Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC
To learn more about burn injuries and what you legal rights and options are in these kinds of cases, we encourage you to contact our personal injury law firm today. The lawyers of Tawwater Law Firm, PLLC are here to help you make sound legal decisions during every stage of your case.