When is a burn injury severe enough to warrant a personal injury claim?

Burn injuries that are severe enough to warrant a personal injury claim include those that are disfiguring, result in serious complications or lead to expensive medical care and treatment. It would also need to be proven that the injury was caused by the careless or reckless actions of someone else.

Several factors may be considered when determining whether to pursue a personal injury claim and victims may discuss them with an Arvada personal injury lawyer.

Types of Burn Injuries

A first-degree burn is the least serious and will unlikely warrant a personal injury claim.

A first-degree burn affects the outer layer of skin and may cause:

• swelling;
• redness; or
• pain.

However, it will usually heal without scarring.

A second-degree burn is more serious as it also affects the layer underneath the skin. This can cause the same kind of symptoms as a first-degree burn but there may also be blistering. This is where scarring becomes more likely and patients may discuss filing a claim with an Arvada personal injury lawyer.

A third-degree burn affects the skin’s tissue and is the most severe kind. Other complications can occur with a third-degree burn, which could be life-threatening.

Complications of Severe Burn Injuries

Infection is a serious complication. The exposed flesh may allow an infection to quickly spread throughout the body. If an infected burn injury becomes severe and turns into sepsis, organ failure and shock can occur.

Shock is another complication of a severe burn injury, signs to look for are:

• pale and/or clammy skin;
• weakness;
• bluish lips and fingernails; and
• the person may not be alert.

Another complication is that the person’s airways could be burned. Internal burns can be excruciatingly painful. It can make breathing difficult, resulting in lung damage or respiratory failure.

Patients who experience these or other severe complications (such as hypothermia) resulting from an injury caused by another’s negligence may consult an Arvada personal injury lawyer for assistance filing a personal injury claim.

Treatment of Severe Burn Injuries

Second-degree burns generally don’t require more than cleaning and bandaging. But the healing can take a long time and there may be scarring.

Third-degree burns may require skin grafts. This is a painful procedure that is usually done over a period of time and can result in a lengthy hospitalization. Ideally, skin will come from healthy areas of skin on the patient’s body. But if this isn’t possible for whatever reason, skin banks or artificial skin may be used instead.

Help Filing a Claim from an Arvada Personal Injury Lawyer

Serious burns can be traumatic, especially when they occur to the hands, arms, neck and face. Compensation may address the significant medical expenses incurred and lost time from work.

However, additional compensation may be available for other losses, such as scarring, disfigurement and disability. Pain and suffering, emotional distress and reduced quality of life are types of damages that may be recoverable, too.

Speaking with an Arvada personal injury lawyer can help an injured victim better understand his or her rights and if a case is worth pursuing. D.J. Banovitz can help patients pursuing or considering personal injury claims and can help determine the types of damages that may be sought. Call 303-300-5060 to set up an appointment to discuss burn injuries and whether a claim may be warranted.