Fire and Burn Injury Attorneys in New Mexico

What Are the 7 Causes of Burns?

Thermal Burns

Thermal burns are burns that are caused by heat sources that touch skin and tissue. They lead to cell death, and can come in varying degrees. While some thermal burns are leave painful red areas on the skin, some can be so severe that they can lead to amputation and permanent scarring. Thermal burns include scalding from hot liquids like boiling water.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns are caused by corrosive substances or strong irritants that damage skin and other body tissue. Regular household items like bleach and paint thinner can cause chemical burns.

Electrical Burns

When electricity passes through the body, people can get electrical burns. In some cases, electrical burns can cause severe internal injuries, depending on the path of the electrical current.

Friction Burns

Rubbing abrasive surfaces along with heat can cause friction burns. Things like rug burns and road rash are considered friction burns.

Laser Burns

Laser burns are caused by concentrated beams of light. They’re often seen after cosmetic surgeries like tattoo removal and laser hair removal.

Cold Burns

It may seem impossible, but skin can burn from excessive freezing temperatures damaging the skin and other tissues. If you come into direct contact with dry ice, you can lose cell tissue. Additionally, frostbite can come in varying degrees because it kills layers of skin tissue.

Radiation Burns

Prolonged exposure to energy rays like the ultraviolet rays of the sun can cause radiation burns. Sun burn is considered a radiation burn. Additionally, radiation burns can be caused by tanning beds and medical radiation.

Is it True that 73% of Burn Injuries Occur in the Home?

Integra Tissue Technologies notes that between 2008 and 2017, at-home burn injuries made up 74.1% of burn admissions. While UCLA Health notes, “More than 73% of burn injuries occur in the home.”

What Are the Classifications of Burns?

What is a First-Degree Burn?

A first-degree burn is considered the mildest type of burn. While they can be painful, no blisters appear. You’ll know you have a first-degree burn if your skin is dry, red, and sometimes, slightly swollen.

What is a Second-Degree Burn?

Second-degree burns damage the first two layers of your skin, the epidermis and the dermis. If you get a second-degree burn, your skin will appear shiny and have a deep brown or red color to it. Second-degree burns are often accompanied by blisters, intense pain, and swelling.

What is a Third-Degree Burn?

Third-degree burns are severe burns that destroy all layers of the skin, and potentially the fat and muscle tissue underneath. Third-degree burns destroy nerve tissue as well, so the area of the burn itself may not be painful, but the skin around the burn emits intense pain. Third-degree burns often require skin grafts to ensure healing and avoiding infection.

What to Do After a Burn Injury

You can successfully protect yourself from infection after a burn injury by following the four Cs of burn injuries.

The Four Cs of Burn Injuries

Cooling

Run cool water over the burn for at least 10 minutes. Don’t make the water too cold, and never put ice on a burn (it can cause more tissue death).

Clean

Use a mild soap and cool water to gently wash the burned area. Don’t apply too much pressure or use abrasive soaps.

Cover

Use a non-stick sterile wound dressing like gauze to loosely cover the wound.

Comfort/Call

If you’re in pain after your burn injury, take over-the-counter pain medications. If the burn wound looks severe, call 9-1-1 or go to the emergency room as soon as possible.

When to Call a Burn Injury Lawyer

If your burn injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have a burn injury case. Here’s how you know when to call a burn injury lawyer:

• Your burn was caused by someone else’s negligence.
• Your injury caused you to lose time at work.
• You have permanent scarring or disfigurement from the wound.
• Your burn wound requires surgery or multiple doctor appointments.
• You required hospitalization.

If you experienced a burn injury that was someone else’s fault, contact Ron Bell today to get your free case evaluation.