An estimated 3.5 million Americans seek medical treatment each year for burns, many of whom end up needing expensive surgeries and skin grafts. In addition, burns can be severely painful, disfiguring, and debilitating, causing a sharp drop in quality of life.
The our Alabama burn injury lawyers have years of experience helping people receive compensation for medical treatment, unemployment as a result of injury, and pain and suffering. Contact us for a free consultation.
We serve Mobile and nearby areas of Alabama.
Common Causes of Burns
In addition to suffering burns from home accidents, many fire and chemical burns are sustained from:
Alabama is in the top 5 states for fire fatalities, and part of the problem is defective smoke alarms. Smoke alarms that use ionization technology rather than photoelectronic technology cannot detect smoke; they only detect heat. However, when a slow burning fire starts, these ionization detectors cannot detect the heat fast enough to sound the alarm in time, which can lead to unnecessary injury and death.
Burn Types and Categorization
There are four main categories of burns, as follows:
- First-degree burns: This is the least severe category. Burns are categorized as first-degree when only the outer layer of the skin is affected, resulting in minor redness or inflammation.
- Second-degree burns: These burns are slightly more severe than first-degree. They penetrate beyond the outer layer of skin and often result in blisters and swelling. Medical treatment may be necessary for this type of burn.
- Third-degree burns: These burns are severe and always require medical treatment. They penetrate the deepest layers of the skin, and the skin may appear charred, with a dark brown or waxy, white color. Third-degree burns can result in scarring and disfiguration, and even death.
- Fourth-degree burns: This is the most severe category of burn, where the burn extends beyond the skin all the way into the muscle, bone, or even organs. Hospitalization and extensive surgeries are required, and death may occur.
In addition to these categories, there are different types of burns that can occur. These include:
- Thermal burns: These are the most common type of burn, and result from contact with fire or heat. Burning your hand on the stove or being burned by an open flame are examples of thermal burns.
- Electrical burns: These occur most often in the construction industry, as a result of improperly handled power sources. Electrical burns may not outwardly leave a mark, but cause damage beneath the skin. Seek medical treatment as soon as possible if you suspect you have an electrical burn.
- Chemical burns: These burns occur from inhaling or touching hazardous chemicals. Chemical burns require immediate medical treatment.
- Scalding burns: These are the result of contact with boiling water or steam. Depending on the extent of the scald, medical treatment may be necessary.
- Sunburn: This type of burn happens when skin is exposed to UV rays with no protection for too long.
Why Contact a Burn Injury Lawyer?
Depending on the extent of your burn, you may require intensive surgeries, physical therapy, and a lifetime of assisted care. In addition to this, you may end up permanently scarred or disfigured, which can cause significant mental suffering and may affect your chances at employment or physical intimacy.
Our experienced Alabama burn injury lawyers, Earle W. Long and C. Bennett Long, understand what you experienced after a burn injury and will fight for your right to justice and compensation. Surgeries, medical treatment, in-home care, and physical rehabilitation are expensive, and the pain and suffering you have experienced are also worth compensation.
Schedule Your Burn Injury Consultation
If you or a loved one has suffered a severe burn injury, don’t hesitate to contact The Long Brothers for your free consultation. We serve clients in Mobile, Alabama and nearby areas.
