Burn Injuries

Many of us receive minor burns or scalds in day-to-day life from cooking or making a cup of tea.

We all know that these minor burns can sting or even blister up, however there are times when some of us suffer severe burns that beyond the pain and scarring can cause severe injuries or worse.

These can include but are not limited to:

  • Nerve damage
  • Tendon damage
  • Muscle damage
  • Permanent scarring
  • Death.

Any of these injuries can have life changing consequences. But scarring can also cause even more damage through reduced mobility and psychological distress. 

We often associate burns with heat, such as hot surfaces or fire, whist scalds are associated to hot liquids or steam. However burns can also be caused by a number of industrial elements including; cold, sunlight, electricity, radiation, chemicals or even friction. 

So while you may be able to suffer minor burns due to our own fault, there are many situations where we face burns due to someone else's negligence or even criminal attack; such as Accidents at Work, attacks causing the need for Criminal Injuries Compensation claims or even a Road Traffic Accident. If you would like to discuss your injury with us, during a free, no obligation appointment, we can give you advice on whether or not you have a claim.

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Classification of burns

Burns come in three degrees; whilst there are additional levels of burns these will normally result in death and are only relevant in Fatal Injury Compensation claims. The three degrees we normally talk in are: 

  1. First Degree Burns
    These are the least severe with symptoms with symptoms of redness and pain that dissipates after a while. These are more superficial burns and should not last long as it is only the very top layer of skin that is damaged. 
     
  2. Second Degree Burns
    These are more severe than first degree burns as they are more painful and on top of redness can cause the skin to blister. The burn in this case is deeper, and it is possible that if the blister bursts an infection could form. It is also possible that if this type of burn covers more than 10% of the body, the victim can go into shock caused by fluid loss. This is because fluid is lost through the site of the burn often making it look wet, or the term 'weeping' often used to describe the wound.
     
  3. Third Degree Burns
    These are the most serious form of burn. The skin will have been completely burnt away causing damage to ligaments, nerves and in almost all causes permanent scarring that requires the need for plastic surgery, reconstructive surgery or skin grafts. These burns take a long time to heal and more often than not will require a lengthy rehabilitation process. It is worth noting that due to the Nerve damage caused by the skin being completely burnt away, many victims can no longer feel the pain of their injuries, although they are still life threatening. Burns of this nature also carry a high infection risk or may require the amputation of a limb.

 

Common causes of burn injuries

Many people, and even solicitors firms, look at burn injuries from the most likely Accident at Work injury. However, there are a number of situations whereby serious injuries may be received in addition to Accidents at Work, including:

  • Road Traffic Accidents; you may be thrown from the car and receive a friction burn, or the car may set on fire resulting in burns before you are able to remove yourself from the vehicle, or burns can be received from airbags.
  • Criminal Injury claims; an arson attack or chemical attack, whereby the building you are in is set on fire or someone attacks you with a chemical such as Acid that burns the skin.
  • Public Liability claims; whereby you have been in a restaurant and someone, such as a staff member, has spilled a hot beverage or hot food onto resulting in a burn or scald.

This is not an exhaustive list but a common list; unfortunately you may also suffer a burn due to medical negligence or an accident abroad.

 

If you would like to have a chat about your options or how we may be able to help you please contact a member of the team, complete our call back form or contact us directly at your local office.

Your Personal Injury Team

Ruth Markham

Partner

Ruth is a former member of the Bar Council before cross qualifying as a solicitor. She joined BHP Law in March 2014 as an associate and was made head…

Jonathan Barker

Senior Associate

Jonathan advises on all aspects of Mental Health and Court of Protection Law, alongside work in Civil Litigation. He is an Accredited Member of the Law…

Tracy Farman

Solicitor

In January 2022 Tracy Farman joined BHP Law’s Personal Injury and Medical Negligence department, in Durham, after working for a solicitors practice…

Holly Sanderson

Trainee Solicitor

Holly completed a four-year course at Northumbria University and received an integrated master’s degree as well as her Legal Practice Course qualification…

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