Touching a hot pan, sipping coffee before it cools, or spending too much time in the sun can all result in minor burns. However, catastrophic burns are much different.
They require medical care, cause significant pain, and can lead to permanent disfigurement. Without the proper intervention, they also have the potential for infections that result in amputations or even death.
If you have sustained a severe burn because of someone’s negligence, they may be financially responsible for your injuries. At Gideon Asen, LLC, a Portland burn injury lawyer can review your claim and help you understand your potential remedies. Call a reliable catastrophic injury attorney today to discuss your potential case.
The Psychological Trauma of Burn Injuries
People tend to concentrate on the physical aspect of burn injuries, with many causing excruciating pain and requiring years of treatment. However, psychological trauma is a genuine effect of burns as well.
Burns can be disfiguring, which has a long-lasting emotional impact on injured individuals. Scars and disfigurement from burning can lead to bullying, isolation, and more. As a result, many burn victims will need therapy and other mental health interventions to help cope with the injuries. A burn injury lawyer in Portland can help hurt parties get compensation to cover therapy and other medical needs.
Causes of Burns Injuries
There are four types of burns: heat, chemical, radiation, and electricity. All of these sources transmit heat and create cellular damage. However, not all of them are presented in the same way. The damage from a heat burn appears relatively quickly, though it may initially seem less severe than it is. The damage from radiation burns may not be as apparent or show surface damage.
Determining the type of burn and how it occurred is vital in identifying who is responsible for the injury. Evidence of negligence includes looking at whether another person’s actions or inactions led to the burn. A Portland attorney who handles burn injury cases can investigate an accident to help establish the at-fault party’s negligence.
Understanding Degrees When Assessing the Severity of Burn Injuries
Healthcare professionals use degrees to describe the severity of a burn. However, there is some disagreement among the medical community. All medical professionals recognize first-, second-, and third-degree burns, and some recognize fourth-degree burns.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns only involve the skin’s outermost layer. A sunburn is an excellent example of a first-degree burn. The symptoms are painful, reddened skin, and they typically do not require medical care.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns involve the first and second outermost layers of skin. Blisters and swelling are two symptoms of a second-degree burn. In some cases, the skin may turn white or ashy and look dry. These burns may need medical care and, depending on their size, they could require treatment like skin grafts.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns extend deeper into the tissue and may have a charred or blackened appearance. Because of potential nerve damage, they may initially be less painful than other burns. However, as a person heals, the burn may get more painful. Recovery from third-degree burns may involve skin removal, skin grafts, and surgery.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Fourth-degree burns penetrate the tissue under the skin and can impact organs, bones, muscles, and nerves. They can lead to amputations, disfigurement, scarring, and multiple skin grafts. Like other burns, fourth-degree burn victims may suffer lung damage from smoke inhalation, issues from scarring and muscle tightening, and fluid loss.
A burn injury lawyer in Portland can work with their client’s medical team to ensure they present all their injury elements while pursuing compensation.
Schedule a Consultation With a Portland Burn Injury Attorney Today
Burn injuries have the potential to be devastating, and recovery can be expensive. You may suffer from loss of income, lost earning capacity, physical pain, emotional pain, disfigurement, and more.
No amount of damages can take away those injuries; however, compensation can help you improve your quality of life. Get in touch with a Portland burn injury lawyer today for assistance with your case. Our team of compassionate personal injury attorneys can help you recover as much as possible.
