Little Rock Burn Injury Lawyer
A Little Rock burn injury lawyer can help those who have been affected by a burn injury. Burn injuries and complications related to those injuries reportedly result in hundreds of thousands of emergency room visits each year in the United States. In addition to physical damages caused by burns, burn injury victims often face psychological and emotional distress as well. Individuals injured as a result of a burn injury may be eligible to recover compensation with the help of a personal injury attorney.
If you have been injured, or if a loved has been killed, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a burn injury lawyer at the Johnson Firm today. You can fill out the form on this page, call us at 501-777-7777 or email us at info@johnsonfirm.law.
There is no cost to speak with us. If you choose to pursue a claim, you pay no upfront fees or expenses. Our fees are based solely on the recovery made on your behalf. If there is no recovery, you pay nothing.
Burn Injuries
A burn is a type of injury to the skin or other tissues of the body. Burn injuries are caused by fire, heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, sunlight or radiation. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 265,000 deaths are caused by burns every year worldwide.
Burns typically fall into one of three categories:
- First-degree burns affect the outermost layer of the skin, also known as the epidermis. First-degree burns can be painful and will cause the skin to turn red in appearance.
- Second-degree burns extend into the layer just underneath the epidermis, known as the dermis. Second-degree burns are often very painful and may cause infection at the site of the burn. Severe second-degree burns may cause scarring and possible skin grafting.
- Third-degree burns affect the outer layers of the skin and tissues underneath. Third-degree burns may result in scarring, deformity of the affected are and may require amputation. Some individuals with third-degree burns may not feel any pain at all.
- Fourth-degree burns extend through all layers of the skin and can potentially damage muscle, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves and bones.
According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), burns may cause swelling, blistering and scarring. In serious cases, burns may result in shock or even death. Burns can also lead to serious infections, as they tend to damage the skin’s protective layers.
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Types of Burn Injuries and Their Causes
Thermal Burn Injuries
Thermal burns account for some of the most common burns people experience. Thermal burns are most often caused by contact with hot or heated objects, such as boiling water or steam (known as scalding), hot cooking oil, and fire.
In many cases, thermal burns are mild and treatable without the assistance of a medical professional; however, severe thermal burns may require emergency medical care to treat the injury.
Electrical Burn Injuries
Electrical burns are caused by electrical currents or electricity. Electrical burns often cause damage to the subdermal tissues and areas just beneath the outermost layers of the skin. In some cases, electrical burns may lead to injuries of the brain, heart and other organs.
Chemical Burn Injuries
Chemical burns occur when a person’s skin comes in contact with a chemical substance such as an acid or base. Chemical burns often do not need a source of heat, typically occur immediately and may not be noticeable right away. Burns caused by chemicals or other corrosive substances may damage tissue and other structures underneath the skin without any apparent damage to the outer layers of the skin.
Symptoms may include itching, bleaching (whitening) or darkening of the skin, burning sensations, difficulty breathing, coughing blood, and/or tissue decay. Common sources of chemical burns include sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, lime, silver nitrate and hydrogen peroxide.
Radiation Burn Injuries
Radiation burns are caused by nuclear radiation or ultraviolet light. Radiation burns can be a result of the use of tanning beds, persistent sunlight exposure, excessive x-ray exposure or medical imaging.
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Get Help Now.Burn Injury Complications
Complications associated with burn injuries may include:
Swelling- Redness of skin
- Blistering
- Infection
- Blood loss
- Damage to blood vessels
Although the majority of burn injury victims survive, many of those injured are likely to face medical intervention, long-term rehabilitation, temporary and/or permanent loss of physical ability, permanent disfigurement, and brain damage. In some cases, severe burn injuries may lead to shock or even death.
Burn Injury Treatment
Burn injuries require immediate attention and care. According to the NIGMS, topical antibiotics, such as creams or ointments, may be used to prevent infection of most minor burns.
According to the American Burn Association (ABA), people who experience minor first-degree burns should:
- stop the burning process with cool running water
- remove all jewelry, watches, rings and clothing around the burn area as soon as possible
- administer over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain control
- cover the burn with a sterile bandage or clean cloth
- apply soothing lotions containing aloe vera to help relieve pain and discomfort, and
- drink plenty of fluids
Third-degree burns, and some second-degree burns, often require professional medical attention to treat complications associated with those burns. In those cases, an immediate blood transfusion or skin graft may be necessary.
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How a Little Rock Burn Injury Lawyer Can Help
When negligence results in injury, an injured party suffers loss in various ways. The law allows an injured party to pursue damages to recover those losses. Common types of damages recoverable in a burn injury case include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Loss of ability to earn
- Scarring and disfigurement
The families of those who have died as a result of a burn injury may be eligible to recover money for funeral expenses and the pain that comes with losing a loved one.
If the actions causing injury are malicious or so reckless that intent to harm can be inferred, the responsible party can be liable for punitive damages to punish wrongful conduct and deter similar conduct in the future.
Victims of negligence and their families are encouraged to seek the counsel of a burn injury attorney to learn more about their rights and remedies.
