If you’re like most people, you’ve likely burned yourself more times than you can count. Whether you accidentally grab a dish that just came out of the oven or spill a hot drink on yourself, these injuries can be incredibly painful. However, there are many different types of burns and varying degrees of severity, meaning many burn injuries can be catastrophic. As such, if you have sustained an injury, understanding the steps you should take and your legal options is critical. The following blog explores what you should know about these matters and the importance of discussing your circumstances with a Sacramento personal injury lawyer.
What Are the Different Kinds of Burn Injuries?
It’s critical to understand that there are several types of burns you can endure. These include the following:
- Heat burns
- Scalding burns
- Radiation burns
- Chemical burns
- Electrical burns
- Friction burns
As mentioned, burns can also vary in degree of severity. Typically, first-degree burns are the least serious, as they can be treated at home as they only affect the top layer of skin. However, third-degree burns can be much more severe, penetrating all layers of skin and potentially burning through fat and tissue. Often, third-degree burns require intensive, specialized treatment and can result in nerve damage.
Burns can lead to a number of serious complications. These include, but aren’t limited to, hypothermia, shock, infections, contractures, internal organ damage, permanent scarring and disfigurement, nerve damage, and in serious instances, death.
What Should I Do After Sustaining a Serious Burn?
If you have endured a serious burn injury as a result of another person’s negligent actions, it’s imperative to understand how you should proceed. First and foremost, it’s in your best interest to seek immediate medical care for the injury you’ve endured. The sooner you can treat a burn, the less likely it is to leave scars or develop an infection.
After you have sought medical care for the injuries you have sustained, you should connect with an experienced attorney to help you explore your legal options. Unfortunately, many people brush burn injuries off as accidents without realizing they are often the result of negligence. As such, working with an attorney can help you stay alert to your rights in these difficult times.
You can seek compensation not only for the economic damages you have sustained, like medical bills or property damage, but you’ll also be eligible to recover compensation for noneconomic damages. This includes loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and humiliation.
At the Law Offices of Dale R. Gomes, our team understands how difficult these matters can be to navigate on your own. That is why our team will do everything possible to help you right for the justice and compensation you deserve when you have suffered a life-altering injury. Connect with our firm today to learn how we can fight for you.
