Everyone gets burned sometimes. Most are superficial burns caused by cooking dinner, roasting marshmallows, etc. The injury was accidental and will heal within days. When burns are more severe or happen because of other situations, the pain and healing process can be extreme.
One important detail about burn injuries is how they are categorized. There are different severities of burn injuries and categories regarding what caused the burns. These details are crucial if you feel someone else contributed to the pain and suffering you are experiencing.
You can schedule a free consultation with a dedicated burn injury attorney from Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, to discuss burn injury categorizations in Piscataway and possible legal action.
Burn Injury Categories
For anyone in Piscataway who has sustained a burn, understanding the burn categories is essential. These categories reflect the depth of the wound and how far it penetrates the skin. To grasp this, it’s necessary to first understand the skin’s layers. These include:
- The epidermis is the outermost layer of skin.
- The dermis is the middle layer that contains blood vessels, hair follicles, and nerves, among other things.
- The subcutis is the deepest layer of skin. It is where fat cells and collagen are stored.
If a burn injury goes deeper than that, it gets into the muscle and bones.
Burn injuries are classified into four categories according to their severity. They include:
First Degree Burns
These superficial burns affect only the epidermis. They are red, painful, and dry but do not typically blister. They include mild sunburns or those that stem from lightly touching something hot. To treat these burns, a person can usually clean the area and apply a bandage to protect delicate skin. Medical assistance is usually not required.
Second Degree Burns
These burns, also known as partial thickness burns, extend into the dermis layer of the skin. The affected area may appear red and develop blisters. Swelling and pain are common. Medical attention may be necessary. A doctor can remove damaged tissue and explain how to keep the wound clean to minimize the risk of infection.
Third Degree Burns
A third-degree, or full-thickness, burn penetrates all layers of the skin and damages the underlying tissues. It typically causes a white, leathery appearance, numbness, and nerve damage. This type of burn generally requires medical treatment and may result in significant scarring. Skin grafts are a common treatment method.
Fourth Degree Burns
These burns are the most severe. These injuries may lead to death or may require amputation. They cause extensive damage to all layers of the skin and may affect muscles, bones, and nerves.
What Causes Severe Burn Injuries?
In Piscataway and across the state, four types of burns typically occur at local hospitals: thermal, chemical, radiation, and electrical.
Thermal Burns
A heat source typically causes thermal burns. This includes stove tops, heaters, steam, liquids, and other heat sources that may cause injury.
Chemical Burns
A chemical burn results from touching chemicals like acids, alkalis, solvents, and some detergents. Burns usually happen after the skin or eyes have been exposed for a while, but depending on the chemical, this is not always necessary.
Radiation Burns
Radiation burns are often caused by prolonged exposure to radiation or ultraviolet rays. Sunburns are a type of radiation burn, proving that some may be superficial. However, radiation burns can also refer to being exposed to nuclear radiation, which may cause all kinds of injuries, from nausea and hair loss to permanent organ damage or death.
Electrical Burns
These burns are caused by exposure to an electrical current or a shock. This can be because of faulty wiring in an appliance or machinery.
Friction burns, such as those caused by automobile accidents, are also widespread injuries. They are painful and may be deep. Road rash, rug burns, and other injuries fit into this category, which means friction has caused pain.
Can You Establish a Claim for Burn Injuries?
Sometimes, a burn injury stems from negligence by another person or a defective product. To prove this, a person must document the incident and gather evidence. This often involves:
- Taking photos of the injury
- Seeking medical attention
- Reporting the incident to employers or authorities (if applicable)
- Gathering witness statements (when possible)
- Proof that the injury caused damage (lost wages, medical expenses, pain, suffering, etc.)
More information improves the chances of a successful claim, as with other claims.
Reach Out to a Piscataway Lawyer to Learn More about the Category of Your Burn and if Negligence Was a Factor
There is nothing uncommon about burns. They can happen for a variety of reasons. However, if you feel that someone contributed in some way to your injury, it is possible to file a claim against that company or person.
Contact Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC, if you want to learn more about burn injury categorizations in Piscataway or to learn more about filing a claim.
