Kentucky Burn Injury Lawyers

What are the different kinds of burn injuries?

Burn injuries vary widely depending on how the injury occurred, as well as the severity. Medical professionals classify burns into degrees and types, and each type requires different kinds of treatment. Following are the different degrees and types of injuries, from least to most severe:

• First-degree burns. These typically heal on their own, as they affect only the epidermis (the outer layer of skin). The most common example of a first-degree burn in a sunburn, which leaves the epidermis red and painful, but no blistering or swelling.
• Second-degree burns. These burns affect both the epidermis and the dermis, the layer beneath the epidermis. Burns of these type make the skin red, swollen, and blistered.
• Third-degree burns. Extremely serious injuries, these burns go through the first two layers of skin and into the subcutaneous tissue below. The skin can appear white or blackened, and the person may not feel pain in the affected area, as the nerve endings may be destroyed.
• Fourth-degree burns. These injuries affect every layer of the skin, including nerves, muscles, and sometimes down to the bone. Fourth-degree burns are often fatal, and survivors typically live with catastrophic injuries and severe complications.

Although we usually think of burn injuries resulting from open flames or hot objects (called thermal burns), they can occur from any number of accidents and incidents. Other types of burns include:

• Chemical burns can also result in serious injuries, caused by exposure to corrosive and toxic agents like solvents, acids, cleaners, and other substances.
• Electrical burns can cause injury from accidental contact with a live electrical current.
• Radiation burns, which can include burns from X-rays and certain cancer treatments. Bad sunburns are also radiation burns.
• Friction burns are a combination of a serious abrasion and thermal burns. Motorcyclists often sustain these in accidents, called “road rash.” Friction burns are extremely painful and can lead to both scarring and infection.

No matter the type of burn injury, our lawyers in Lexington and Louisville are prepared to help you secure damages. We review incident and medical reports, as well as surveillance videos and witness testimony, to establish liability in your case.