Degree Designations to Treat Burn Injuries
From car accidents to workplace incidents, burns can lead to painful injuries and long recovery times. Part of treating a burn properly is comprehending the severity of the harm. Because of this, healthcare teams assign a degree to burn injuries.
Burn degrees are part of how accident victims receive the medical care they need to recover. Additionally, these designations can be key to securing the level of financial relief required to pay for healthcare expenses. Talk to a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer to learn more.
Common Situations for Burns and Classifications
Burn injuries can occur in various scenarios, each with its unique set of circumstances. Some common situations where burn injuries may occur include car collisions, workplace accidents, and scalding incidents.
Collisions involving vehicles can lead to burn injuries, particularly if there’s a fire or explosion. Hot metal, chemicals, or steam from damaged components can cause severe burns to occupants. And employees in industries such as manufacturing, construction, or food service may encounter burn hazards due to exposure to hot machinery, chemicals, or fires. Scalding incidents can occur when there are spills of hot liquids, such as coffee or boiling water, in restaurants or other food service establishments.
Should a burn injury be sustained in any type of accident, the injury will be classified based on its severity and depth of tissue damage. These degrees inform healthcare professionals about the appropriate treatment plan and prognosis for the patient.
- First-degree burns. Superficial burns that affect only the outer layer of the skin, known as the epidermis, first-degree burns typically result in redness, pain, and mild swelling. These burns usually heal within a few days with proper care.
- Second-degree burns. Burns that extend beyond the epidermis into the underlying layer of skin, known as the dermis, are second-degree burns. Characterized by blistering, severe pain, redness, and swelling, second-degree burns may require medical treatment, including cleaning, debridement, and dressing changes, to prevent infection and promote healing.
- Third-degree burns. The most severe type of burns, third-degree burns affect all layers of the skin and potentially underlying tissues, muscles, and bones. Third-degree burns often result in charred or white-colored skin, numbness due to nerve damage, and may not be painful initially due to nerve destruction. Surgical intervention, including skin grafting and wound care, to promote healing and prevent complications such as infection and scarring may be required.
Burn degrees are critical for healthcare teams as it informs their approach in caring for these injuries.
Recognizing the severity of burn injuries and their impact on accident victims’ lives is essential for providing effective legal representation as well. Discuss the compensation you need with a Boca Raton personal injury lawyer.
Who assigned a burn degree to your accident injury? If you are recovering from a burn sustained in a Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, or Pompano Beach accident, talk to the attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez. By advocating for accident victims and holding responsible parties accountable, our legal team can help you on your journey to justice. Call 561-660-9421 today.
