The Basics of Burns

Burns are damage to skin tissue caused by a variety of forces including: chemicals, electricity, heat, sunlight, and radiation. Scalds, flammable liquids and gases, and building fires are among some of the most common causes of burns. If you have been burned due to someone else’s negligence, make sure to reach out to an attorney immediately for help with your case.

Burn Severity

The severity of a burn places it into a variety of degrees including:

– First degree, which affect only the outer layer of the skin. This includes sunburns, and may be painful to touch and include mild swelling or redness.

– Second degree, which cause damage to the outer layer (epidermis) and layer beneath (dermis). Signs of second-degree burns include blistering, pain, glossiness from leaking fluid, loss of skin, and deep reddening of the skin.

– Third degree are the most severe type of burn, leading to complete destruction of the skin, as well as tissues beneath the skin. Signs include loss of skin layers, skin being dry and leathery or appearing charred, or skin containing patches that are brown, black, or white

The human body reacts to burns by blistering and swelling – this is caused by the loss of fluid from damaged blood vessels. In certain severe cases, fluid loss can cause shock. The National Institute of Health states that “shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs as a result of the body not receiving enough blood flow.” Cells do not function properly and organs may be damaged as a result.

Hot Water Burns

Over 100,000 people are burned annually by hot water. These types of burns can easily be prevented. Hot water heaters should not be set higher than 125 degrees. It is very important to adjust the settings on your hot water heater to ensure that water temperatures to do not surpass this acceptable threshold of temperature. If you do not know how to adjust your water heater, seek professional assistance. In addition to adjusting water heaters, boiling water on stoves is another potential source for hot water burns. Teach children to avoid touching or playing near a stove, regardless of whether it is operating or not. Furthermore, make sure the type of cookware you are using is sturdy and will not break when heated, or dropped by accident.

Contact an Attorney if You Have Suffered a Burn

Remember, if you or a loved one experience a severe burn, do not hesitate to call 911 immediately for medical attention. Burns are caused from a variety of sources and sometimes they result from the negligence of others. Motor vehicle accidents or faulty products are just a few examples of ways you or a loved one can sustain a burn. If you have been burned, don’t hesitate to contact the Fort Lauderdale attorneys at Boone & Davis. We are prepared to help you recover compensation for your injuries.