Serious Burn Injuries

Did You Suffer A Serious Burn Injury?

About 450,000 require treatment for burn injuries every year in the United States according to the American Burn Association, and on average 3,400 of those people die because of their injuries. The vast majority of burn injuries are caused by residential fires, making them the third leading cause of death in homes in the country according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the most serious burns often lead to permanent disfigurement and/or death, even victims of moderate burns could face severe pain and disfigurement.

If you were the victim of someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions, contact us today at (713) 621-7944 to discuss your case with an experienced attorney.

If your injuries were caused by someone else’s actions, you may be able to file a lawsuit to fight for the compensation you need to cover any damages or medical bills you may have incurred. At Fleming, Nolen & Jez, our burn injury attorneys have decades of experience handling these types of cases, and through our efforts, we have successfully recovered more in verdicts and damage settlements for our clients. Contact us today to tell us all about your situation and begin preparing for the future.

What Kind Of Damage Can A Serious Burn Do?

Serious burn injuries are dangerous on their own, but often come with potentially deadly side effects from complications, including:

• Infection: Even the least severe burn is at risk of infection if not properly cared for, which can lead to sepsis, organ failure, and going into shock.
• Hypothermia: Your body may have difficulty regulating your internal temperature if a significant amount of the skin is seriously burned, greatly increasing the risk of hypothermia.
• Scarring: As your burn injury heals, scar tissue may form in its place. This new tissue can inhibit your ability to move the affected area, pull joints out of position, and permanently destroy sweat glands.

How Serious Was Your Burn?

Anything from an open flame to a cloud of steam can cause a serious burn injury, but no matter the cause they are classified under the same levels of severity:

• Fourth-Degree Burn: The highest level of burn injury classification, both layers of skin and all the way down through the fatty tissue, muscles, tendons, and bone are affected in a fourth-degree burn. The affected area often needs to be amputated to prevent infection from spreading from the injury site.
• Third-Degree Burn: The next highest level of burn injury classification, both layers of skin and all the way down through the fatty tissue and nerves are affected in a third-degree burn. Victims suffering this type of injury were often exposed to a large fire, and may also be suffering from the negative effects of smoke inhalation.
• Second-Degree Burn: A moderately severe level of burn injury classification, both layers of skin are affected in a second-degree burn. Victims of this type of injury may suffer from blistering skin, scarring, and serious pain around the injury site.
• First-Degree Burn: The least severe level of burn injury classification, only the outer layer of skin is affected in a first-degree burn. With proper care and treatment, this type of injury will usually heal in about one week.