Burns are one of the most painful injuries someone can suffer. They may require extensive medical treatment and long recovery times that interfere with your ability to earn a living. If you suffered a burn injury because of someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to pursue compensation for the damages you’ve suffered, such as your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact Oklahoma Injury Law to discuss your legal rights during a free case review with an Oklahoma City burn injury lawyer.
Common Causes of Burns in Oklahoma City
There are various causes of burns. Some of the most common include:
- Fires and flames from stoves, grills, fireplaces, and other heat sources
- Scalding from hot liquids or foods
- Contact with hot objects, such as metal or glass
- Electrical currents, outlets, or cords
- Acids or other caustic chemicals
- Ultraviolet light, X-rays, and radiation
Types of Burns
There are four types of burns:
- Thermal burns – A thermal burn involves contact with something hot, such as metal, open flames, steam, or a scalding liquid. These burns may cause tissue cell death or charring.
- Electrical burns – An electrical burn involves contact with an electrical current.
- Chemical burns – A chemical burn occurs from direct contact with a strong acid, solvent, alkali, or other chemical.
- Radiation burns – A radiation burn occurs due to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet rays, such as from the sun or an X-ray.
Burns are also classified in degrees, based on how far they penetrate the skin:
- First-degree burns – These are more superficial burns that only affect the outer layer of skin. Symptoms include pain, redness, and warmth around the burn.
- Second-degree burns – A second-degree burn affects the outer layer of skin, as well as the second layer of skin. Victims may suffer pain, redness, swelling, and blistering.
- Third-degree burns – A third-degree burn affects all skin layers, sometimes damaging the fat and muscle tissue beneath the skin. Victims may not experience pain because these burns can cause nerve damage. Skin can appear white, charred, or brown.
Medical Treatment for Burn Injuries
Healthcare providers typically begin burn injury treatment with first aid. They may assess the burns, clean wounds, dress wounds, and apply antibiotic ointment. More serious burn injuries may require more extensive medical treatment, such as:
- Surgery – In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove damaged skin and tissue.
- Institutionalization – Severe burns may require treatment at specialized burn centers. Victims may need to be monitored for dehydration or infection.
- Skin grafts – Skin grafts may be necessary to cover large wounds.
- Physical therapy – Victims may need to undergo physical and occupational therapy to stretch the skin to help make joints more flexible, strengthen muscles, and coordinate movements.
- Medicine – Healthcare providers may use topical products to prevent infection and encourage the wound to close, oral medications to help with pain, a tetanus shot, and anti-anxiety medication.
- Mental health support – Victims may need emotional support following a traumatizing event that led to burn injuries.
You can pursue financial recovery with help from a burn injury attorney, to pay for medical expenses stemming from a burn caused by someone else’s negligence.
Seek Compensation with the Help of an Experienced Oklahoma City Burn Injury Attorney
If you suffered a burn injury because of someone else’s carelessness, an experienced personal injury lawyer from Oklahoma Injury Law can investigate your case, gather evidence of wrongdoing, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation, or call (405) 310-8800 to set it up.