January 2010 Archives

Third degree burns are the most severe type of burn a person can sustain. The damage caused from a third degree burn can be permanent. Third degree burns may not cause immediate pain because the nerve endings are damaged or completely severed. They can be caused by chemicals, heat or electricity. 

Third degree burns involve all three layers of the epidermis or skin. It is possible to actually have the burn reach the bone, muscle and possibly internal organs near the burned area. Although a person will not feel the damage sustained to an area that has received third degree burns, the area around the burn may be extremely painful. Recovery from third degree burns will depend on how large and how severe an area was burned. In some cases, the recovery may be months or years, or in more severe case, permanent. Extensive scarring is a normal result of any third degree burn.

Anybody who has suffered third degree burns through no fault of their own, should contact an attorney. This type of burn is life altering and in many cases compensation is deserved. Medical treatment of this type of burn is very expensive. Hospital stays can be lengthy. A third degree takes at least three weeks to begin healing. If the area is extensive, the hospital stay may be much longer and require specialized expensive care. An attorney can help recover the costs of the medical and future medical treatments that will be needed after sustaining an injury this severe. Attorneys for the at fault party will try and get a victim to settle as soon as possible in order to avoid any future medical costs.

An experienced attorney can help a burn victim get what is rightfully owed to them. Treatment for third degree burns generally will include surgery to repair damage skin. This surgery is often referred to as skin grafting. If any internal organs were damaged, several surgeries or lifelong medical treatment may be required. Reconstructive surgery may also be needed for those who have endured a third degree burn. These procedures can be very expensive and may require several surgeries to complete. Insurance companies often view reconstructive surgery as an elective surgery and may not cover any of the cost. 

It is imperative a knowledgeable attorney represents your best interests. Please contact our firm for a free case evaluation if you are a victim of third degree burns. 

Second degree burns are very serious. Many people develop second degree burns from an accident such as scalding, contact with open flames, and contact with hot objects such as pots and pans. Burn injuries can be difficult to live with if the burn area is in a sensitive area such as on a hand, arm, or foot.

A typical second degree burn is more serious than a first degree burn and produces dark red skin that is swollen and sometimes blistered. The burn area will feel warm to the touch and will cause pain typically without even touching the burn. The skin is incredibly sensitive and may cause scarring.

They typical treatment time for a second degree burn takes three to five weeks. Here is some information about a few types of treatments for second degree burns.

• Second degree burns can be treated with antibiotic ointment on the affected area. Ointments help to soothe the burns and work to reduce swelling.
• Wrapping the affected area and applying salve to the second degree burns a few times per day can also help the injured victim. 
• If a second degree burn is very serious then it might require that the patient takes oral antibiotics and painkillers to help dull the pain. Surgery may also be used to clean the wound and to help remove dead skin cells. 

Second degree burns need to be sterilized at least three times a day to prevent an infection from occurring.

It is important to be careful when around any hot pans or fires. It is a good idea to wear long sleeves if cooking with hot oil. Oil is known to cause serious burns if it comes in contact with skin. When moving any large pots or pans off the stove you should be very careful. Wear shoes when cooking in the kitchen because hot pans can be dropped or splash and the hot water can scald the skin.

If you have received a second degree burn on the workplace or from someone else's negligence you should consult an attorney. You may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your medical expenses and any lost wages incurred. Contact our firm today for a free case evaluation.

The first degree burn is the most common of all burn types and the least troublesome. This does not mean that it is not painful as you can probably well remember from the last time you touched a hot burner or fell asleep in the sun. There is still a bit of nerve interaction and this can hurt. In fact they can hurt a lot. There are a number of ways that you can deal with these burns to limit the pain and help them heal faster. 

Always start by gently removing any clothing that might be in the way of dealing with the burn. The first rule of thumb is to cool off the area that was burned. Cold water for a number of minutes is the fastest as most effective way to do this. Running the burn under the faucet or using cold towels will both work. This will at least keep the burn from getting worse. In many cases, this immediate action will take care of the burn, at least from a treatment perspective. However, never use ice since it will damage skin even further. Many people who suffer 1st degree burns will stop right here with taking care of them.

To alleviate a bit of the pain you also might consider an aspirin or two. This might take away a bit of the sting and pain that is being experienced as well as any inflammation. Many people ignore this step and regret it later. To top it all off, you will want to put on some soothing creams such as aloe vera which will also pull away some of the sting (and is what many sun bathers will put on their sun burns).

Make sure you don't use any types of butters or antiseptic creams on burns since they might do more harm than good. Also never pop open a blister. Let it heal on its own. It will have less of a chance to get infected. As with other skin ailments, use Vitamin E and C on the skin to help heal it as well. First degree burns are fast, self healing and usually never need medical attention. Make sure you take care of it correctly so that the pain will go away sooner. 

If you have any concern with a burn accident you might have experienced and want advice on your course of action please contact our law firm for a free case evaluation.