Burn injuries range from superficial to severe, and the risk of chronic illness or death increases as the surface area of a burn increases. The most common burn causes include flames, scalds, electricity, and chemical agents.
The American Burn Association categorizes burns by thickness using appearance, pain, sensation, and blanching to pressure as the components to assess depth.
Partial-Thickness Burns
Partial-thickness burns involve the epidermis or dermis and do not penetrate subcutaneous structures.
First degree: pink or red skin without blisters that usually heals without scarring
Second degree: wet and blistered epidermis or deeper dermis that appears red, yellow, or white
Pain can be severe or decreased due to loss of sensation, and healing occurs within three to eight weeks after injury.
Full-Thickness Burns
Full-thickness burns involve the complete thickness of the skin and deeper structures, including tissue or bone. While more extreme than partial-thickness burns, a patient may not feel as much pain due to severe nerve damage in the burn area.
Third degree: white, brown, or black color coloring that appears dry and leathery.
Fourth degree: charred skin with potentially exposed bone
Fifth degree: white, charred skin and partially exposed bone
Sixth degree: exposed bone with complete loss of skin in the affected area
These types of burns take significant time to heal and typically require skin grafting treatment.
A severe burn can be a catastrophic injury that alters the course of a victim’s life, resulting in lifelong pain and suffering. If you receive a burn injury due to someone else’s negligence, then you deserve fair compensation for your personal injury.
Don't hesitate to reach out to Shay + Associates Law Firm if you require the expertise of a skilled personal injury lawyer in Springfield or Decatur, Illinois.