In the United States, about 4,000 victims suffer from fatal burn injuries each year and over half a million seek medical attention. A burn injury can be classified as a type of injury to the flesh or skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, or friction.

Burns can be some of the most painful types of injuries one can sustain and many can result in severe nerve damage, chronic pain, and loss of sensation. The treatment for burns varies depending on the severity and unfortunately, some burns can result in drastic changes in one’s physical appearance. This will often lead to feelings of depression, lowered self-esteem, and anxiety.

If you are a victim of a burn injury due to negligence of another person or party, consulting with a Philadelphia burn injury attorney will help you recover financial compensation that helps pay for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Severity of Burns

To determine whether or not the victim needs specialized burn care, the American Burn Association constructed a classification system. Under this system, burns can be classified as major, moderate, and minor. If one suffers from what is deemed a minor burn injury, they can typically handle it themselves at their home. Moderate burns are often managed in a hospital and major burns are managed by a specialized burn center.

  • First-degree (superficial). A first-degree burn will injure the top layer of the skin (epidermis) and causes the tissue below the skin to become red and swollen.
  • Second-degree. These burns can be very painful. They damage the outer and inner layers of skin.
  • Third-degree. A third-degree burn involves all layers of the skin. It can cause permanent tissue damage. Fat, muscle and even bone may be affected.

Treating a Serious Burn Injury

When dealing with major burns, call 911 for medical assistance right away. Until an ambulance arrives, follow the steps below:

  1. Do not remove burned clothing. However, it is important the victim is no longer in contact with smoldering materials or exposed to any heat.
  2. Do not treat with cold water. This can cause the body to go into hypothermia because of the decreased body temperature and cause the victim to go into shock.
  3. Check for breathing and signs of circulation. If no sign of circulation or breathing is present, perform CPR.
  4. Cover the area of the burn. Use a moist sterile bandage to cover the affected area.

Contact Our Philadelphia Injury Law Firm to Protect Your Right to Compensation

If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to negligence, hiring an experienced burn injury lawyer to represent you will help you recover financial compensation that will help get your life back on track. Burn accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Trying to deal with the matter by yourself may prove extremely difficult for someone who has no experience dealing with these types of accidents. An attorney can perform a thorough investigation of the scene and inform you of the laws and regulations that apply. When the lawyer identifies who is responsible, he or she can then file a lawsuit against them.

For over 30 years, The Heslin Law Firm has helped accident victims and their families recover lost wages, medical expenses, and compensation for pain and suffering. Call our office at 215-332-0300 or contact us on the web.