Our skin is one of the most important organs of our body, and also the largest. When you endure a serious burn injury, it could leave behind severe damage. Burn victims suffer from permanent scars and extreme pain. And in the worst cases, some burn injuries can be fatal.
Based on statistics from the American Burn Association, there is an estimated 486,000 burn injury cases treated each year in the US. And nearly 4,000 of these cases result in death. If you need assistance with filing a legal claim for a burn injury that you or a family member endured, you need to contact an attorney for burn injury claims today.
The Different Classifications of Burn Injuries
It’s critical that you contact a medical professional as soon as possible following a burn injury. You may not be aware of how severe the injury is until you are evaluated by a doctor. The severity of burn injuries can be placed in 4 categories.
First Degree Burns
These are the least detrimental of all burn injuries and usually only affect the outer layer of your skin. This can include sunburns or minor brushes with heat. First degree burns typically do not require any medical care unless the pain is severe.
Second Degree Burns
A second degree burn goes past the outer layer of the skin to reach the dermis layer. These burns are not severe enough to file a claim but can cause swelling or blisters to occur.
Third Degree Burns
A third degree burn is considered to be severe. That’s because it doesn’t just affect the skin, but also the underlying tissue. Third degree burns can cause the skin to become very sensitive. It can change color such as white or black and become extremely dry. These burns are also very painful. If this type of burn occurs, medical attention is required.
Fourth Degree Burns
Fourth degree burns are the least common of the four, but they are the most serious. These burns will not only damage your skin and tissue, but also cause injury to your muscles, tendons, ligaments, and sometimes even your bones. These burns can lead to pain, amputation, disfigurement and even death.
Filing a Negligence Claim for Your Burn Injury
If you are a resident of Texas, you will need to provide the following information to file a burn injury lawsuit due to negligence.
- Proof the defendant owed a certain duty of care to you. That means they must take responsible care to avoid causing any harm to other people. This factor depends on the relationship between both parties.
- Show that the duty of care was breached, or the defendant failed to provide adequate care. Meaning if it weren’t for the defendant’s inability to provide adequate care, you wouldn’t have sustained injuries.
Consult with a Burn Injury Lawyer Today for Assistance with Your Claim
If you have questions about how to get started with a burn injury claim, contact our legal experts for more information. We will be happy to help you get started with a free initial consultation.