The American Burn Association reports that there are over 1 million burn injuries each year in the United States and an estimated 45,000 hospitalizations. It is also estimated that one third of these burn injury victims are children. A burn is a type of injury to flesh or skin caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, or radiation. Often, a defective product or a serious auto accident can lead to a long-term, life-threatening burn injury. Innocent victims should know that the law is on their side.
In many instances, burn injuries are also the result of personal injury accidents; including motorcycle accidents and car accidents. Examples of burn injuries resulting from defective products can include scalding hot water and other types of liquids, defective products, electric shock, and exposure to fires. If you have been burned in an accident or as a result of a product defect, and it was the result of another person’s or business’s negligence, as the injured person you are entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.
What kinds of long term damage can burns do?
Burn injuries can result in scarring, disfigurement, nerve damage, limb loss, as well as depression and other emotional injuries. Major burn injuries can change how the body looks and functions and lead to body image distress, which can take a severe psychological toll on an individual and their loved ones. Examples of body image distress include grief, sadness, anxiety, worry.
Some burn patients may think that their burn scars are “ugly” and worry that others will reject them because of the scars. Body image distress may involve:
- Grief or sadness about changes in appearance and physical abilities.
- Anxiety about social or intimate settings where the scars may be noticed.
- Worrying about how people will react when they see the scars.
– See more at: http://www.msktc.org/burn/factsheets/Understanding-And-Improving-Body-Image-After-Burn-Injury#sthash.18R5ujOH.dpuf
Are there various types of burns?
There are different types and degrees of burns and your Los Angeles personal injury attorney should be aware of them and their likely causes. The three most common types of burns are: chemical burns, electric burns, and thermal burns. Chemical burns are caused by a liquid or powder introduced to the skin or eyes. These liquids and powders can be detergents, acids, and/or other solvents. Electrical burns are the result of a powerful electric current traveling through the body of the victim. Thermal burns are caused by a heat source that is introduced to the skin, which leads to the skin surface increasing in temperature until the heat causes the external skin to die. If the heat is hot and consistent enough, the underlying layers of the skin can also die. These thermal burns are typically caused by fire, superheated steam, high-temperature liquid, or hot metal. The varying degrees of burns are first, second, third, and fourth, with fourth degree burns being the most serious and involving damage to muscle or bone.
If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury as a result of third party negligence, contact the aggressive Los Angeles burn injury lawyers at BIKLAW today to discuss your legal rights and potential for financial compensation.