Motor vehicle accidents, workplace incidents, and other types of personal injury accidents can cause painful and disfiguring burns.
Summary
- Thermal burns, caused by direct exposure to high temperatures, constitute about 85% of all burn injuries requiring medical care. Often they result from motor vehicle accidents, fires, mishandling fireworks, or hot liquids in commercial settings.
- Radiation burns can occur from prolonged sun exposure or as a side effect of radiation therapy. They require prompt medical attention to prevent infections and complications.
- Chemical burns result from exposure to hazardous substances like cleaners, fertilizers, and battery acid.
- Electrical burns, common in the construction industry, can cause internal organ damage, cardiac issues, and muscle injuries.
- Friction burns, such as road rash from accidents, often require extensive medical treatment including skin grafts.
Burn injuries are among the most painful and debilitating personal injuries a person can suffer. They can arise from various types of personal injury accidents, each presenting unique challenges and recovery paths for burn victims.
As Minnesota burn injury lawyers, Sand Law LLC has experience with the five types of personal injury accidents that frequently result in burns. From household hazards to workplace incidents, negligence is often a factor.
Understanding the common causes of burn injuries is crucial not only for prevention but also for recognizing the legal rights and recourse available to victims. By identifying the causes of these injuries, you can better navigate the personal injury claims process and secure the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Our team is here to help burn victims deal with the significant impact these injuries can have by holding the negligent party liable for damages. Call us at (651) 362-4143 or submit this contact form to book a free case evaluation with a burn accident lawyer.
1. Thermal Burns
Thermal burns result from direct exposure of the skin to high temperatures, such as hot cooking oils, hot water, steam, heated surfaces, or open flames. According to the Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America, these types of burns constitute about 85% of all burn injuries requiring medical care.
Negligence often plays a role in causing thermal burns. Some common scenarios include:
- Motor vehicle accidents where an individual’s skin encounters hot surfaces or fire. Motorcycle accidents are particularly prone to causing thermal burns due to the exposed gas tank, which can rupture and ignite upon impact.
- Fires in hotels, restaurants, residential homes, or retail stores often stem from defective appliances, faulty wiring, or negligent actions like careless smoking or cooking.
- Mishandling fireworks can also lead to serious thermal burns.
- Serving extremely hot beverages or liquids in commercial establishments can also result in burns if not handled properly.
Your burn accident lawyer can assist you in gathering evidence of the negligent behavior that led to your thermal burn so you can pursue compensation.
2. Burns Caused by Radiation
Radiation exposure can lead to sunburns. While minor sunburns typically don’t necessitate medical care, extended exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun can result in severe burns, requiring professional medical attention. Radiation burns are also a common side effect of external beam radiation therapy used in cancer treatment.
Patients undergoing radiation therapy often experience burns as a side effect of their treatment. In most cases, they can continue their therapy, and healthcare providers usually recommend or prescribe creams to relieve symptoms like itching.
Radiation burns pose a risk of infection that demands swift medical intervention. Signs of an infected radiation burn include a foul odor, oozing wounds, intense redness, or a sudden increase in redness, as well as fever.
Though radiation burns are a frequent consequence of radiation therapy, there are instances where a doctor may negligently fail to warn the patient about the risk of such burns or fail to recognize and treat infection symptoms promptly. An experienced burn accident lawyer in Minnesota can help evaluate whether your injury might be grounds for a medical negligence claim.
3. Chemical Burns
Chemical burns, also known as caustic burns, occur when the skin comes into contact with hazardous chemicals on construction sites, stores, restaurants, factories, offices, schools, private residences, or other locations. Common chemicals found in homes and businesses that can cause such burns include:
- Metal cleaners
- Fertilizers
- Ammonia
- Bleach
- Toilet bowl cleaners
- Pool chlorinators
- Drain cleaning products
- Tooth whitening products
- Concrete mix
- Battery acid
- Hair products like dyes, chemical relaxers, and perm solutions
All chemical burns should be treated as medical emergencies and require prompt evaluation and care from healthcare professionals. There are several reasons supporting this approach:
- Some chemicals react adversely with water. For instance, sulfuric acid causes an exothermic reaction, intensifying the burn, while lime can irritate the skin when mixed with water.
- If not treated immediately, these burns can allow chemicals to penetrate the skin and damage internal tissues.
- Ingesting or inhaling chemicals can lead to burns in the mouth, throat, or digestive tract, causing severe complications such as breathing difficulties, airway swelling, low blood pressure, and nausea or vomiting. Chemicals in the eyes can result in permanent scarring and vision impairment.
Chemical burns most commonly affect those working with chemicals in their jobs and young children who may not understand their dangers. Additionally, motor vehicle accident burn injuries can occur when individuals are exposed to caustic substances like gasoline, leading to chemical burns.
4. Electrical Burns
Electrical burns happen when the body comes into contact with an electrical source. When electric current flows through the body and exits at another point, it can potentially cause internal organ damage along its path. Due to the serious nature of these injuries, even seemingly minor electrical burns require medical evaluation.
When an electrical burn involves current passing through the body, it can result in several types of damage:
- Cardiac Issues: Irregular heartbeat or increased risk of cardiac arrest.
- Nervous System Damage: This can lead to loss of consciousness, muscle weakness, or impairments in vision or hearing.
- Kidney Damage: Potential harm to the kidneys.
- Muscle and Bone Damage: Electrical currents can cause muscle cells to leak into the bloodstream, damaging internal organs further. Additionally, pressure buildup within the muscles can occur.
Electrical burns are particularly prevalent injuries in the construction industry due to the frequent use of electric-powered tools and exposure to electrical lines. They can also result from defective kitchen appliances or electronics. Other sources include lightning strikes and stun guns.
5. Friction Burn Injuries
Friction burns occur when the skin scrapes against a rough or hard surface, such as asphalt. These types of burns are especially common in bicycle and motorcycle accidents, where the rider is more exposed and may be thrown from their bike and slide across the road.
Friction burns from auto accidents are often referred to as road rash. Road rash can impact any part of the body, but it frequently affects areas like the elbows, shins, hands, forearms, and knees.
Friction burns can be quite severe, often removing multiple layers of skin. In such cases, victims may require extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts, to heal properly.
Classification of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries can vary widely and are classified based on their cause and their severity. Burns are categorized into four levels, each increasing in severity and potential damage. It’s important to note that even the least severe burns can still cause significant pain, discomfort, and long-term health issues.
Burns are among the most common types of injuries in personal injury claims. If you’ve experienced a burn injury due to an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be eligible for compensation. Schedule a free case evaluation with our Minnesota burn accident lawyers today to explore your options.
First-Degree Burn Injuries
First-degree burns impact only the outermost layer of the skin. Common examples include minor burns from touching an open flame or sunburn from extended sun exposure. Symptoms typically include redness, swelling, and pain.
Although these burns generally heal within a week and often don’t require medical treatment, they can lead to more serious conditions. For instance, prolonged sun exposure can result in heat exhaustion or heatstroke, both of which can be life-threatening. Additionally, first-degree burns from the sun can increase your risk of developing skin cancer due to the damage inflicted on your skin.
Second-Degree Burn Injuries
Second-degree burns extend deeper into the skin, affecting the dermis or middle layer. These burns can result in swelling, redness, soreness, and blisters. It is crucial for individuals with second-degree burns to keep their wounds clean because ruptured blisters can lead to infection.
While milder second-degree burns may heal within a few weeks, they can cause lasting changes in skin pigmentation and may require skin grafting. A burn accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation you will need to cover these medical bills.
Third-Degree Burn Injuries
Third-degree burns are among the most severe types of burn injuries, penetrating through all layers of the skin. Contrary to what one might expect, these burns might not be painful if the nerve endings are damaged. Settlements for nerve damage tend to be significant, as victims typically suffer loss of sensation and/or function.
Third-degree burns can appear dark brown, white or waxy, leathery, or raised. Treatment typically involves surgery, and victims are often left with permanent scarring.
Fourth-Degree Burn Injuries
Fourth-degree burns are rare but extremely severe, often life-threatening. This type of burn not only damages all layers of the skin but also affects muscles, ligaments, and even bones.
Fourth-degree burns are considered catastrophic injuries which reduce quality of life for survivors. Victims experience excruciating pain, and the damage often necessitates amputation and can result in disfigurement. Immediate medical intervention is critical, as these burns can be fatal.
How Burn Accident Lawyers Prove Negligence in a Personal Injury Claim
Depending on how your burn injury occurred, you may be entitled to seek compensation for the associated costs and impacts through a personal injury claim with the assistance of an experienced burn accident lawyer in Minnesota.
Burn injury claims require victims or their family members to demonstrate that the burns were either inflicted intentionally, such as in cases of assault or attempted murder, or resulted from someone’s negligence.
To establish that another person’s negligence caused your injury, thereby entitling you to compensation, you must prove:
- The defendant had a duty to take reasonable measures to prevent injuries or property damage to others under specific circumstances.
- The defendant breached this duty of care through reckless or careless action, or by failing to act when necessary.
- This breach of duty directly caused your injuries, leading to financial expenses and psychological impacts.
A skilled Sand Law LLC Minnesota burn injury attorney can assist in proving liability in your claim by investigating the details surrounding your burn injury to identify liable parties and assess the value of your claim.
Your burn accident lawyer will also help with collecting evidence and securing witness testimonies to support your case. Relevant evidence may include fire department findings, police reports, medical reports from the healthcare providers who treated the injury, and prior complaints from other individuals harmed by a defective product or appliance.
Consult Sand Law’s Seasoned Minnesota Burn Accident Lawyers Today
At Sand Law LLC, we are a dedicated Minnesota personal injury law firm committed to helping our clients achieve fair compensation for the damages, pain, and suffering caused by the negligence of others. Our experienced team of Minnesota personal injury attorneys understands the complexities of burn injury cases and is prepared to fight for your rights every step of the way.
Don’t wait to seek the justice and compensation you deserve after a Minnesota burn accident. Call us at (651) 362-4143 or submit this contact form to book a free case evaluation today. Let Sand Law LLC provide the support and expertise you need during this challenging time.