St. Charles Burn Injury Lawyer
Burn injuries are uniquely devastating and could occur in a variety of ways. Unlike broken bones or bruises, the pain that results from a burn can last a lifetime due to nerve damage. Additionally, these injuries can result in a lifetime of disfigurement.
If you have suffered burns through no fault of your own, an experienced injury attorney could help you understand your legal options. While these cases could prove to be challenging, a victim may find that working with a St. Charles burn injury lawyer simplifies the recovery process. To learn more, schedule a consultation today.
How Severe are Burn Injuries?
There are four categories of burn injuries. These categories, known as degrees, measure the severity of the injury by how deep the burn damage reaches. While minor burns only impact the exterior layer of skin, the most devastating burns can reach a victim’s muscle or even bone. Understanding these burn injuries can greatly benefit a victim’s efforts in trying to recover compensation with a St. Charles attorney by their side.
The four categories of burn injuries include:
- First-degree burns
- Second-degree burns
- Third-degree burns
- Fourth-degree burns
First-Degree Burns
Commonly known as superficial burns, these injuries only impact the outermost layer of skin. While first-degree burns can be painful, their effects rarely last more than a day or two. Symptoms include redness, pain, and swelling.
Second-Degree Burns
A second-degree burn is notably more severe than superficial burns. These burns damage the exterior layer of the skin as well as several layers underneath. These injuries take longer to heal, and commonly involve blisters and significant pain.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns can have life-long effects on a burn victim. These injuries are so severe that they are initially painless in some cases. This is a result of damage so severe that the nerve receptors near the site of the injury are destroyed. These injuries can result in charred and blacked skin.
Fourth-Degree Burns
While rare, fourth-degree burns represent the most severe types of burn injuries. These devastating burns destroy every layer of skin and often result in damage to the muscle and bone below the burn site.
What Damages Could a Person Recover in a Burn Injury Claim?
While the types of damages available in burn injury lawsuits are no different from any injury case, there are some damages that are more common than others. An experienced attorney could help a burn injury victim in St. Charles pursue compensation for their injuries.
The medical bills resulting from a severe burn are significant. Due to the increased risk of infection, these medical costs can continue to accrue long after the date of the burn injury. Burn victims also frequently live with severe pain and disfigurement. Compensation could be available for a plaintiff’s pain as well as their disfigurement.
Call a St. Charles Burn Injury Attorney Right Away
A burn injury can be as financially devastating as it is physically damaging. If you are saddled with cost of your medical treatment after a severe burn, you could struggle to make ends meet.
If your burn injury resulted from another person’s negligence, you have the right to seek monetary compensation from the negligent party. Contact a St. Charles burn injury lawyer to discuss your options.