Burn injuries can be extremely painful, depending on the degree of burn incurred by the victim. First degree burns do not go beyond the outermost layer of skin, which is why they are not considered serious; they can be healed with home remedies or an OTC ointment for skin burns. However, second and third degree burns can damage internal tissue, thus they require immediate medical attention. If you sustained severe burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence or misconduct, Burn Injury Attorney Woodland Hills, CA, can help you claim compensation.
Burn injuries are not always associated with arson. Here’s a list of several possible causes of burn injuries:
1. Contact with Fire or Flame
Fires can propagate in the house or outdoors. They are commonly caused by combustion fuels, i.e. burning of natural gas, gasoline, or some other flammable liquid. Sometimes victim catch fire because they get too close to the source or are covered in highly flammable material/clothing. Contact with fire can happen from a lighted stove, lighter, cigarette, bonfire/burning firewood, fireplace, etc. About 45% of burn injuries are the result of exposure to fire or flame.
2. Scalding Burns
These types of burns are the result of contact with liquids or gases having a very high temperature. For example, you may get burned by spilling boiling water or very hot coffee over yourself; steam/vapors from a cooking pot or hot water tub can also scald you.
3. Thermal Burns
Thermal burns are similar to scalding, as they involve skin contact with a very hot object, such as a kettle full of boiling water, hair/clothing iron, or some other heating device.
4. Radiation Burns
Radiation burns can be sustained by exposure to a radioactive substance, the scorching sun, UV rays, microwaves, or some other high frequency energy. Cancer patients often suffer burns during radiation therapy that may give rise to skin problems.
5. Electrical Burns
Burns caused by electrocution or an electric shock can be fatal in nature. Contact with high voltage current may result in a deep exit wound as it attempts to flow through the body. This may lead to internal damage and even shock the heart or brain, resulting in death. Electrical burns commonly occur when a person touches an electrical appliance that is not properly insulated, or tries to repair an electrical device without taking necessary precautions.
6. Chemical Burns
Chemical burns occur while handling a corrosive substance, such as an acid or base. For example, many industrial and household cleaners contain strong chemicals that instigate a burning sensation on contact. Chemical burns widely occur in laboratories and factories due to accidental spills and leaks.
7. Inhalation Burns
Some substances can burn you without physical contact because they emit toxic fumes. Inhaling these toxic fumes can cause immense irritation in the airways, coughing, wheezing, and damage to the lung tissue.
8. Cosmetic Product Burns
Some cosmetic products are not properly tested before distribution in the market. Their chemical composition may not be appropriate for every skin type or they are contaminated by a harmful element. As a result, these products may instigate skin rashes, redness, stinging pain, itching, swelling, blisters, or allergic reactions.
9. Frictional Burns
These kinds of burns are typically associated with traffic accidents. Drivers and bikers involved in crashes may slide across the road at high speed, rubbing and tearing their skin against the rough and heated road. This leads to open wounds, exposing the victim to deadly infections.
10.Surgical Burns
Several medical surgeries require the use of electric tools. The patient can get burned if any of the equipment malfunctions or is not used with care.
Burn injuries leave a devastating impact which is extremely hard to deal with.
It is one of the most painful experiences in life to endure a burn injury.
