A burn is an injury or physical damage to the flesh, tissue, or skin caused by fire, electricity, or excessive friction. A burn can also be caused by chemicals (acid) or radiation.
Accidental fires and other related incidents that cause burn injuries can be tremendously painful and often leave behind permanent scars and result in disfigurement. Excision, skin grafts, and physical therapy for severe burn patients can mean a long and potentially painful recovery.
Types of Burn Injuries
Based on the severity of the injury and the damage to tissue, burns fall under one of four categories:
1. First-Degree Burn: A burn affecting only the superficial (outermost) layers of skin, producing effect similar to those experienced after strong sunburns.
Texture: Redness, some irritation, no blistering
Sensation: Moderate “stinging” pain
Approximate Time to Heal: 5-10 days
2. Second-Degree Burn: Also called partial-thickness burn, damaging some of the underlying skin/flesh layers and the most minor type of burn in which blisters may result.
Texture: Redness with clear blisters, skin blanches (turns white) under pressure, damaged area feels moist
Sensation: Extremely painful, injury site remains very sensitive to touch, slight hot and cold
Approximate Time to Heal: 2-3 weeks
3. Third-Degree Burn: Also called a full-thickness burn, damage extends through the deepest layer of skin and affects tissue and nerve endings just beneath the skin, above muscle tissue.
Texture: Stiff and white or brown, no blanching under pressure, leathery and dry
Sensation: Painless (nerve endings are damaged or destroyed)
Approximate Time to Heal: This type of burn may take several months to heal. It requires specialized burn treatment and full function may not be restored in some cases.
4. Fourth-Degree Burn: A severe burn extending beyond the skin and into underlying fat, muscle, or bone. Charred, blackened tissue may be left producing permanent disabilities or death in the worst cases.
Texture: Black, charred, dry, crisp
Sensation: Painless (nerve endings are destroyed)
Approximate Time to Heal: Excision or amputation is typically needed. Function in the affected area is lost or severely limited, healing is minimal. Death may result in severe cases.
Common Causes of Accidental Burn Injuries
The most severe, permanently disabling burn injuries typically involve third and fourth degree burns. Cases of severe burn injuries are most often the result of explosions or by auto accidents that result in fires. Pressurized equipment that utilizes hot gases or steam can also cause severe burns if the equipment fails or is not handled properly.
The majority of minor burn injuries involve children who are accidentally burned around the home. Hot appliances such as an oven or scald injuries from hot liquids are the most common among minor burns that tend to heal with time and basic care. With regard to many personal injury claims and other civil cases involving liability, the following are the most common causes of burn injuries:
- Faulty appliances in the home
- Automotive accident fires/explosions
- Industrial (Workplace) fires/explosions, electrocution, or chemical burns
- Structural fires caused by faulty wiring in a home or new construction
- There were an estimated 40,000 annual burn injury hospitalizations from 2002-2011
- Fire/flames-44%
- Scalds-33%
- Contact/Thermal-9%
- Electrical-4%
- Chemical-3%
- Other/Unknown-7%
References:
Avvo.com
