Burns are extremely painful injuries that can result in a permanent disfigurement, disability and death. There are different factors that determine the severity of a patient's burn injury, including the location on the body and the depth of the burn. Victims of severe burn injuries may be able to seek compensation for their pain and loss. For more information about available resources, please contact our firm's Elk Grove personal injury lawyers today.

Types of Burns: First, Second, Third & Fourth Degree

Burns are classified by first, second, third or fourth degrees.

First-degree burns are those that involve the skin's surface. These types of burns generally do not affect the tissue. Patients will experience redness and swelling of the skin, accompanied by pain and discomfort. First-degree burns usually heal within a few days.

Second-degree burns are more severe than first degree burns. These types of burns affect both the surface of the skin (epidermis) as well as the underlying layer of the skin (dermis). Patients will most likely experience redness, swelling and blistering of the affected area. If the burn is not treated properly, the injury can worsen and turn into a third degree burn.

Third-degree burns are severe. These types of burns affect the dermis, the epidermis and the tissue beneath the epidermis (hypodermis). The skin may appear translucent white and will look charred. These types of burns take a long time to heal due to the extent of damage and destruction of skin cells. Patients will usually experience a sense of numbness.

Fourth-degree burns are the most severe types of burns. These types of burns not only affect all layers of the skin (as do third degree burns), but they also affect structures below the skin. Fourth degree burns can affect a patient's tendons, bones and muscles. Because of the extensive damage, fourth degree burns can result in physical disability and/or amputation of the affected area.

How a Burn Injury Affects You

When the skin is burned, serious complications can arise. As the body's largest organ, the skin protects against infection, regulates body temperature and prevents the body's essential fluids from leaking. When a person suffers severe burns, these things are jeopardized, making the patient susceptible to infection, other health risks, and even wrongful death.

In addition, burn injury victims may experience long-term effects such as scarring and physical disfigurement. People who suffer third degree burns will usually experience extensive scarring that can result in decreased self-image. Patients may also suffer disabilities from excessive tissue damage, and in some cases, patients may require amputation of affected parts of the body.

Contact a Burn Injury Attorney in the Sacramento Area

Burns can affect a person's life forever. As a result, it is important for patients to get the best treatment available immediately following an accident. After initial treatment, a burn injury victim may be able to seek compensation by contacting our firm's burn injury attorneys in Sacramento. We are advocates for people who have been injured by another's negligence and may be able to help you.

To find out more information, contact John M. O'Brien & Associates, P.C. today.