There may be many different circumstances and dangers that could result in a serious burn. These include open flames, hot liquids, chemicals, steam, electricity, heated objects, house fires, and electrical fires.
A burn is a particularly dangerous type of injury, as the patient can quickly become septic and die, even if they receive prompt and high quality medical care. Generally speaking, the type of burns a victim suffers often dictates how well they are likely to recover.
What are the different types of burns that exist?
Burn injuries are classified by degrees. Here’s how they’re generally described:
- First-degree: These are the least serious burns. These often result from someone’s extended exposure to the sun, heated object or steam. This type of burn generally leaves a patient with relatively minor discomfort, redness and minor swelling of the epidermis, the superficial layer of the skin.
- Second-degree: These burn injuries generally have a width of no more than three inches, yet they impact the skin’s two uppermost layers, the dermis and epidermis. Doctors consider it dangerous if any second-degree burn results in blistering or broken skin measuring more than three inches, especially if it develops along the skin surrounding a person’s feet, joints, genitals, face or hands. It can quickly become infected if this happens.
- Third-degree: These burns are the most life-threatening of all burns, no matter their size. Patients with these burns often run a high risk of dehydration and sepsis as their wounds often affect the fat underneath the skin, causing significant nerve damage. Patients who suffer third-degree burns may experience considerable pain at the wound site.
While first-degree burns can be treated at home, victims of more serious injuries can exacerbate their situation by applying ice, ointments or fabric to burn sites and patients with third-degree burns need immediate medical care.
Options that you have if someone’s negligence resulted in your injuries
There are countless situations where someone’s else’s negligence results in a catastrophic blaze that leaves individuals with life-altering injuries. An attorney can advise you how Wisconsin law allows you to hold someone accountable for their actions.
