Severe burns are possibly the most painful and the most life-threatening type of injury a person can suffer in an accident. The initial injury and the treatments are severely painful, and those who survive live with disfigurement and long-lasting emotional trauma. Multiple surgeries and on-going physical therapy are often required.
Severe burns can change your life, and the lives of your loved ones, forever. The Cole Law Office is here to help you get the compensation your need and deserve so that you can gain access to the very best treatments. Please call us at 800-909-LAWS (5297) or email us to schedule your free consultation. We represent people with burn injuries in Vermont and New Hampshire.
Accidents Causing Burn Injuries
Although we typically think of fires and explosions when we think of severe burns, there are many types of burns, and therefore, many types of accidents that can cause burns, even without a fire. Examples of the types of accidents that can result in severe burns include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Airplane accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Work-related accidents
- Structure fires and similar accidents involving premises liability
- Slip and fall in the presence of chemicals, open flames, or hot surfaces
- Accidents and injuries caused by defective products
- Nursing home abuse
- Medical malpractice
- Railroad accidents
Types of Burn Injuries
Types of burn injuries include:
- Thermal burns caused by fire or connect with hot surfaces
- Chemical burns
- Frictions burns, including severe road rash
- Scalding with steam, water or other hot liquids
- Electrical burns
- Radiation burns caused by overexposure to the sun or tanning beds
- Radiation burns caused by medical procedures, such as radiation therapy, X-rays, or procedures involving lasers
Burn Injury Dangers
Severe burns are very dangerous and should be treated in a burn center or burn unit if at all possible. Dangers of burn injury include:
- Dehydration
- Fluid imbalance
- Hypovolemia – low blood volume
- Hypothermia
- Respiratory distress
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Infection
- Sepsis
- Rhabdomyolysis
Further Consequences of Severe Burns
Once the initial danger has passed, recovery is a long process and severe burn injuries can have life-long consequences. Consequences of burn injuries can include:
- Extremely painful medical treatments
- Skin grafts
- Amputations
- Scarring so severe as to limit mobility
- Disfigurement so severe as to cause the victim to withdraw from society and loved ones
- Physical therapy to regain mobility and range of motion
- Permanent physical impairment, even with surgeries and physical therapy
- Loss of mobility
- Loss of use of the affected area
- Respiratory damage
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage
- Chronic pain
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)