Guelph Burn Injury Lawyer

Burn injuries can be serious and can happen in a variety of ways. They may occur during a house fire, from exposure to hot water from a hot water heater that was faulty, or from an exploding piece of electronics. When a car accident occurs, a car can explode and result in severe burn injuries or even death. A fire or explosion can occur if the gas tank of a vehicle is damaged or crushed, or if a semi-truck hauling chemicals or explosives collides with another vehicle.

Most burn victims endure expensive and long-term medical care. They require extended time off from work to recover and often have to go through extensive therapy. Victims often suffer extreme physical and emotional effects due to disfigurement, scarring, and disability.
The experienced burn injury lawyers at Preszler Law understand the severity of burn injuries and the costs associated with them. We will work to prove the negligence of the other party and help you pursue the financial compensation that you need after suffering such catastrophic injuries.

Types of Burn Injuries

When it comes to burn injuries, there are three categories that are most common. These injuries include the following:

• Thermal Burns – These burns are the result of the transfer of heat from one source to the body. They may be from explosions, flames, hot liquids, or contact with other hot materials such as glass or metal.
• Chemical Burns – These are the result of direct contact with a hazardous material or the inhalation of toxic fumes. They are caused by materials that are very alkaline or acidic in nature.
• Electric Burns – These burns are the result of heat that is generated when an electric current runs through the body. These burns need to be evaluated by a doctor because even if the skin looks normal on the surface, there could still be severe damage under the skin.

Burn Injury Classification

The classification of a burn injury determines how the burn will be treated, how much pain and suffering is involved, and how much scarring may result. The four stages of a burn include the following:

• First-Degree Burns – Nearly all people have experienced this type of mild burn before. These burns are superficial in nature and only burn the top layer of skin or the epidermis. They result in redness to the affected area and moderate pain that typically subsides after two or three days. Occasionally skin will peel as part of the recovery process. Sunburns, friction burns, burns from hot liquids, some electrical burns, and non-blistering burns are examples of this common type of burn. These burns usually clear up on their own and rarely require medical intervention. They do not usually result in long-term damage, although they can be quite painful. Most of these burns can be treated at home with ibuprofen and over-the-counter skin lotions and ointments.
• Second-Degree Burns – These burns result in considerable damage to the first layer of skin as well as the layer just underneath called the dermis. If the area burned is large or occurs on the delicate skin on the face, hands, feet, groin, or buttocks the victim will require immediate medical treatment. These burns are divided into two types – partial or full-thickness burns. A partial-thickness burn often results in blisters and wounds that are pink or red in color. They may appear wet and are very painful. Healing can take up to 21 days without grafting and results in minimal scarring. Full-thickness burns often appear dry and either red or white. They usually have diminished sensation and often need excision and skin grafting to completely heal. Burns of this nature that are less than three inches in diameter can sometimes be treated with over-the-counter products.
• Third-Degree Burns – These burns result in significant damage to the deep tissues of the body and usually require surgical repair to heal. Third-degree burns impact all three layers of the skin including the dermis, epidermis, and hypodermis. The hypodermis is the bottom layer of the skin. These burns may also result in damage to nerve endings, blood vessels, bones, and muscle tissue. Common causes of these burns include explosions and fires; contact with hot objects, toxic chemicals, or scalding liquids; and contact with electric sources. Almost all third-degree burns require immediate medical treatment to ensure the body does not lose critical fluids. These burns often require hospitalization for days, weeks, or even months in a burn unit. Third-degree burns result in white or blackened (charred) skin and the nerve endings become numb. Swelling of the skin occurs and the victims often suffer severe scarring and often disfigurement and disability due to the permanent tightening of the tissue that was damaged.
• Fourth-Degree Burns – These types of burns are extremely uncommon and result from electrical accidents. These burns damage the underlying tissue, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bones.

Burn injuries, depending on the severity, can have a devastating impact to your quality of life. That is why if you or your loved one has suffered a severe burn due to the negligence of another person you need to consult with a Guelph burn lawyer.

Filing a Burn Injury Claim

Severe burn injuries can result in significant expenses, but the victim should never have to carry that financial burden alone. Filing a personal injury claim can provide you the compensation you need to take care of your medical costs, loss of present and future income, ongoing care expenses, and reimburse you for the pain and suffering your injuries have caused.
If you are not sure whether your injuries were due to another person’s negligence, you need to speak to an experienced lawyer who can investigate the cause of your injuries and determine who the responsible party is and what damages may be recovered by filing a claim.

CONTACT PRESZLER INJURY LAWYERS

Preszler Injury Lawyers understand just how devastating a burn injury can be. We know that the long-term impact can be devastating – mentally, physically, and financially. We will review the situation surrounding your injuries and advise you of the best legal option to pursue the compensation you need to get back on your feet. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.