Experiencing a severe burn can be one of the most painful and devastating injuries a person can endure. Severe burns can have long-term physical, emotional, and financial consequences for the victim and the victim’s family.
A 2024 report of a five-year study by the American Burn Association reveals that:
- In 2023, there were 32,540 burn victims who required inpatient hospitalization at a burn center;
- In the five-year period from 2019 to 2023, there were 156,073 inpatient hospitalizations for burn injuries;
- Approximately 45% of all burn injuries were caused by flame or flash fires;
- About 61% of all incidents occurred in a private residence, more than 30% of which occurred on a weekend;
- Burn victims who also suffer a traumatic injury are 3 times more likely to die from their injuries;
- Collectively, more than 10,000 burn victims spent more than 110,000 days in the hospital in 2023 alone;
- Intensive care costs for burn victims costs over $660 million per year.
If you or a loved one have suffered a burn injury as a result of someone else’s actions, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. The compensation you receive will depend largely on the nature and extent of your burn injuries and the amount of medical care you need to treat your injuries. Understanding the different classifications of burns and their effects on the body will help you and your burn injury lawyer determine the value of your personal injury claim.
What Are the Different Types of Burn Injuries?
Johns Hopkins Medicine describes a burn as any type of damage to the skin or underlying tissue caused by thermal, electrical, chemical, or electromagnetic energy.
- Thermal burns. Thermal burns are the result of contact with or exposure to a heat source, such as hot objects, scalding liquids, steam, or flames. When the heat from the source increases the temperature of the skin and surrounding tissue, living cells in the tissue becomes charred and die, causing a thermal burn.
- Electrical burns. Electrical burns occur when electrical current enters and exits the body from an electrical source, such as exposed wires, lightning strikes, or stun guns. Either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) can cause electrical burns. These burns usually result in superficial skin damage, but because the electrical current travels through the body, it often causes internal injuries to the heart, kidneys, muscles, and nervous system. The severity of an electrical burn may depend on the voltage of the source—the higher the voltage (over 500 volts is considered “high voltage”) the more severe the burn.
- Chemical Burns. Chemical or “caustic” burns are the result of corrosive material, like acids, alkalies, detergents, or solvents coming into contact with the skin, eyes, or mouth. Such toxic chemicals are found in many common household items, such as bleach, ammonia, battery acid, metal cleaners, drain cleaners, pool chlorine, and tooth-whitening products.
- Electromagnetic burns. Electromagnetic or radiation burns result from prolonged exposure to radiation, such as from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, X-rays, or cancer radiation treatment. Radiation burns can be minor, such as from a common sunburn, or can affect deep tissues and internal organs, resulting in more systemic complications and potential long-term illness.
What Are the Different Classifications of Burn Severity?
Burns are generally described as fitting into one of four classifications, which indicates the nature and extent of the damage to the skin and underlying tissue that the burn has caused. These include:
- First-Degree Burns. A first-degree burn is a mild, superficial burn that affects the outer layer of the skin, called the “epidermis.” A typical first-degree burn may include a minor sunburn or temporary contact with a hot object or scalding liquid. A first-degree burn may result in mild pain, redness, and swelling, but it usually heals quickly with no long-term scarring or disfigurement.
- Second-Degree Burns. A second-degree burn indicates damage that penetrates the epidermis and affects the second layer of skin, called the “dermis.” Someone who experiences a second-degree burn likely has had extended exposure to flames, chemicals, or other hot liquids, which resulted in intense pain, swelling, and blistering of the skin. Second-degree burns usually require medical attention and may take several weeks to heal.
- Third-Degree Burns. Contact or exposure to extreme heat, flames, chemicals, or electricity is often the cause of third-degree burns, which are severe, nerve-damaging burns that completely penetrate the skin and can affect bones, muscles, and tendons. Because of the extensiveness of the damage, a third-degree burn can require numerous surgeries, skin grafts, and rehabilitation over a period of many months. Third-degree burns typically result in scarring, disfigurement, and long-term disability.
- Fourth-Degree Burns. Some extremely severe burns may be categorized as fourth-degree burns. Like third-degree burns, fourth-degree burns damage bones, muscles, and tendons, but typically result in more permanent disfigurement and disability, and often may be fatal. Victims of fourth-degree burns may never recover from their injuries and may require amputation of affected limbs.
Contact our Kansas city personal injury lawyers now.
What Factors Will Impact My Personal Injury Claim?
If your burn injuries were caused by the negligence of another person and you pursue a personal injury claim, there are many factors that can affect the amount of compensation you receive. In addition to the classification and severity of your burn, it is important for you and your personal injury attorney to consider the following factors very carefully to correctly value your claim.
- Medical expenses. A personal injury award commonly includes past and future medical costs and expenses. Because more severe burns require more extensive medical attention and treatment, which can continue for extended periods of time, more significant burn injuries causing intense or prolonged pain tend to result in greater compensation awards. Typical medical costs and expenses may include:
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- Immediate medical treatment;
- Hospital stays;
- Surgeries;
- Skin grafts;
- Medications;
- Physical therapy;
- Rehabilitation;
- Counseling; and
- Long-term care.
- The condition of the burn victim. Many burn victims may require treatment in a specialized burn facility. This can significantly increase the cost of the victim’s medical treatment and, therefore, the value of a personal injury claim. The American Burn Association advises that specialized burn treatment may be necessary for:
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- Victims with at least first- or second-degree burns over at least 10% of their total body surface;
- Any victim with third- or fourth-degree burns;
- Those suffering burns to the face, hands, feet, or genital area, or burns that extend all the way around any portion of the body;
- Burn victims who also suffer inhalation injuries in the airway or lungs;
- Burn victims with secondary conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, or diabetes; and
- Children or the elderly who may have suffered burn injuries as the result of abuse or neglect.
- Pain and suffering. Although pain and suffering are intangible and subjective, they are a primary consideration in any personal injury claim. Because burn injuries are so extremely painful and often can be long-term, they can significantly increase the value of your personal injury claim.
- Lost Wages and earning capacity. Recovering physically and emotionally from burn injuries can be a slow, painful process, even for minor burns. Recovery can leave victims temporarily out of work, for which lost wages are available, or permanently disabled and unable to return to their previous employment, for which lost earning potential also may be awarded.
- Loss of Quality of Life. Burn victims who suffer serious third- and fourth-degree burns may be disfigured or permanently disabled. The resulting long-term physical and emotional trauma may significantly affect their lifestyle, quality of life, and stability in relationships. These losses may be considered when valuing the amount of compensation they deserve.
Considering all of these factors and placing a fair value on compensation can be difficult. Each factor will vary for each burn victim. Having an experienced burn victim attorney who understands how these factors can impact the value of your personal injury claim is critical for obtaining a fair compensation award that will help you recover financially.
To discuss your burn injury case with an experienced burn injury lawyer, call the Kansas City burn injury attorneys at Foster Wallace, LLC. We will assess the value of your claim and help you evaluate the best options for you and your family to receive financial compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering, and other financial losses.
Understand the Factors that Impact Your Personal Injury Award after Suffering Burn Injuries
At Foster Wallace, LLC, we understand the physical and emotional trauma that you are experiencing as a burn victim, and we want to help. We know that your burn injury recovery will require all of your time and energy. And we know that the financial concerns surrounding your injuries naturally detract from your ability to recover physically and emotionally. We can alleviate that concern.
If you or a loved one have suffered any form of burn injury, call Foster Wallace for assistance. We will help you to:
- File the appropriate claim for relief;
- Compile necessary medical records;
- Prove fault;
- Negotiate with insurance companies; and
- Reach a full and fair settlement for your damages; or
- Prove your case at trial, if necessary.
We know your injuries may be difficult and painful. But your legal battle to obtain financial compensation from the person who caused your injuries does not have to be. We can help. Call us today at (816) 439-8665 to schedule a free consultation and let the experienced legal team at Foster Wallace guide you through the process of financial recovery.
