Pennsylvania Burn Injuries
A severe burn can be one of the most traumatic personal injuries that you can suffer from. A Pennsylvania burn injury can require months, sometimes years of hospitalization, physical therapy, doctors visits, and even extensive counseling.
Burn injuries in Pennsylvania often happen due to house fires, apartment or condominium fires, construction accidents, or through the wrongdoing of others. According to the United States Fire Administration and FEMA, approximately one million people a year suffer burn injuries and 7,000 die as a result of these injuries. Fire kills more people in the U.S. than all natural disasters combined.
Severe burns are a devastating to the victim, both physically and emotionally. Victims with severe burns may be left with permanent physical disabilities including:
- Scaring
- Disfigurement
- Tissue damage
- Muscle damage
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Loss of a limb
Common Pennsylvania burn injuries include:
- Chemical burns - are caused by contact with caustic chemicals, such as acids, alkalis, and solvents.
- Thermal burns - are caused by contact with intense heat, such as flames, steam, and hot liquids.
- Electrical burns - are caused by electric current passing through the body.
- Radiation burns - are caused by contact with nuclear or ultraviolet rays
Severities of burns:
- First Degree Burn - A first degree burn, such as sunburn, damages only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). Most first degree burns are usually red and turn white when pressed on. A first degree burn typically heals by itself in three to six days.
- Second Degree Burn - A second degree burn involves the entire top layer of skin and some portion of the dermis (second layer of the skin). Second degree burns can cause blistering and or dry up and appear ivory in color. A skin graft is typically performed for severe second degree burns.
- Third Degree Burn - A third degree burn destroys the first and second layers of skin. Third degree burns are dry and are dark brown in appearance. Almost all third degree burns larger than 3 centimeters in diameter are best treated with removal of dead tissue, skin grafting, and use of compression garments to minimize scarring.
If you or a loved one have suffered a burn injury in Pennsylvania please fill out the form on your left for a free case review by a Pennsylvania burn injury attorney.
