The CDC estimates that 1.1 million burn injuries needing medical attention occur annually. Burns may occur on the job, in the home, or in public places. There are several types of burns a person in Galveston, Texas, may experience.
Common types of burns
First-degree burns, sometimes called superficial, are the least serious type of burn because they only affect the dermis, or top layer. These types of burns may cause pain, redness, and dryness. They are also painful to touch without blisters, and peel as they heal. A second-degree burn penetrates the second layer, or epidermis, causing blisters, severe redness, swelling, and a wet look.
Third-degree burns damage the dermis and epidermis, possibly reaching the innermost area called the subcutaneous layer. This type of burn appears yellow, brown, or white and hurts less because of nerve damage. Fourth-degree burns are the most severe type, reaching all skin layers and extending to the bones or muscles.
Burns and personal injury
If a burn occurs from negligence, the injured party may be able to file a personal injury case. The defendant may be an employer, a doctor, a driver, or the maker of a defective product. To bring a burn injury case, the party must have owed the plaintiff a duty of care to help them avoid harm.
They must exercise the same care level to avoid injuries in a way another reasonable would under the same circumstance. For example, an employer must provide a safe work environment or a product maker must warn about potential hazards.
They must breach the duty of care, which means they acted negligently, leading the patient to suffer damages. However, the harm must derive from actual damages and not because the party didn’t follow instructions or misused a product.
A person may seek damages for lost wages, medical treatment, and pain and suffering. In the case of an employer, they may be able to get workers’ compensation.
