According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1.1 million people receive burn injuries every year in the U.S. that require medical attention. Of these, approximately 4,500 people die. Burns and burn injuries are a serious concern in this country and the scary reality is that they can happen in a variety of different settings, like at home, during work, while performing a sporting activity, or taking part in a hobby. Make sure know your burn basics in case an unfortunate accident happens.
What are the Different Types of Burns?
There are four major types of burns. These include:
- Thermal burns – Thermal burns are caused if a part of your body contacts a hot object (for example, a flame, steam, hot water, dry heat, or an oven rack). These burns likely take place in the home, during fires, and in auto accidents. Injuries often include blistering and scarring of the skin.
- Chemical burns – Chemical burns occur when a strong acid or base comes into contact with your skin. A few common acids and bases that can cause these burns are bleach, ammonia, and common household cleaners. The specific type of injury that results from a chemical burn will vary depending on how long your skin was in contact with the substance that caused the burn.
- Electrical burns – Electrical burns take place when an electrical current comes into contact with your body. They often happen at your workplace. The specific type of injury that you can suffer varies on several factors, including the type of current that you were exposed to, the voltage, and the direction that the current went into your body.
- Radiation burns – You’ll experience a radiation burn if your skin is exposed to radiation over an extended period of time. Sunburn is a common example of a radiation burn. These burns can also occur from x-rays and radiation therapy. Radiation burns cause redness and possibly internal damage.
What are Some Common Types of Burn Injuries?
Medical professionals typically classify a burn into one of three different categories. These are:
- First-degree burns
- Second-degree burns
- Third-degree burns
First-degree burns are the least severe of the three categories. While these burns often damage a person’s skin, injuries typically heal within a few days. Sunburns are the most common causes of first-degree burns.
Second-degree burns involve the burning to two-layers of your skin. The first layer of your skin gets burned, and your second layer is partly affected but not completely destroyed. These types of burns are considered minor if they harm less than 15 percent of your skin.
Third-degree burns are the most severe burns you can experience. They damage all the layers of your skin and, in some cases, your blood vessels and muscles. Third-degree burns are the most painful of the three categories. But in some cases, burning will numb a person’s nerve endings and thereby reduce the pain.
Contact Otorowski Morrow & Golden, PLLC if you Suffered a Burn Injury
Please know that our firm is here to help if you’ve suffered a burn or burn related injury. Otorowski Morrow & Golden, PLLC provides free consultations to all our potential clients. The attorneys at our law firm have over 120 years of combined experience representing injured parties and helping them file lawsuits to get the compensation they deserve. Do yourself a favor and contact them now for the quality legal assistance you deserve.