Burn injuries happen more frequently than you may think. More than 1 million burn injuries occur in the United States every year. Many of these injuries require immediate specialized medical care.

In fact, an average of 137 people are hospitalized for a serious burn injury every day. Another 10,000 will die every year because of a fatal burn injury.

What exactly is a burn? Burns are defined as “an injury to the skin or tissue.” The injury is a result of contact with extreme temperatures or exposure to chemicals, radioactivity, electricity, or friction. There are many different types of burn injuries. Each type is classified based on the cause of the burn.

Types of Burn Injuries

Thermal Burns. Thermal burns occur when the body makes contact with extremely hot materials, including:

Fire and flames
Liquids (e.g., coffee, scalding water)
Coals or rocks
Glass
Metal, and
Shrapnel.

Chemical Burns. Chemical burns occur when the body is exposed to caustic chemicals. Extremely acidic or extremely alkali chemicals will inflict the most serious burns.

Electrical Burns. Electrical burns occur when the body comes into contact with electricity. The burn can be caused by direct contact with an exposed electrical wire or contact with a conductor (e.g., water). In addition to external burns, electrical burn injuries can inflict life-threatening internal injuries.

Radiological Burns. Radiological burns occur less frequently than other types of burns. You may suffer a radiological burn when you are exposed to excessive amounts of radiation. Cancer patients receiving radiation therapy may report radiological burns.

Friction Burns. Friction burns occur when the skin rubs or scrapes against a hard surface. These types of burns occur frequently as a result of motorcycle and other traffic accidents. Riders and passengers make contact with the road surface and suffer friction burns.

How Are Burn Injuries Classified?

The severity of your burn injury will depend on the extent of damage to your skin and tissue. The least serious burn injuries involve damage to the skin, while the most serious injuries involve significant damage to deep muscle tissue. Burn injuries are categorized into different “degrees.”

First-Degree Burns

First-degree burns are the least severe type of burn injury. First-degree burns result in damage to the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). The tissue underneath is not damaged when you suffer a first-degree burn. The most frequently occurring first-degree burn is caused by excessive exposure to the sun.

Second-Degree Burns

Second-degree burns involve damage to the skin and the first layer of soft tissue (dermis).

Signs of second-degree burns include:

Blisters
Pink/red and wet appearance
Painful to the touch, and
Turns white when pressure is applied.

These burns are more severe than first-degree burns and can require immediate medical attention. Skin grafts, which involves taking skin from one part of your body and transplanting it to the burn area, may be required to treat second-degree burns.

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns involve severe damage (or destruction) of the outer skin and soft tissue.

Signs of third-degree burns include:

Black and white appearance that seems dry
Leathery texture and feel
Lack of pain because of severe nerve damage.

Third-degree burn victims will require immediate hospitalization and medical intervention. Skin grafts are necessary to treat third-degree burns.

Fourth-Degree Burns

Fourth-degree burns are the most severe burn injury a person can sustain. These burns involve destruction of the entire affected area, extending into the muscle and bone.

What Causes Burn Injuries?

Burns are among the most commonly reported injuries after Miami accidents. They can occur whenever you are exposed to extreme temperatures or caustic chemicals.

Our burn injury lawyers in Miami can help you recover compensation for burn injuries you have suffered because of a:

Car accident
Motorcycle accident
Pedestrian accident
Truck accident
Premises liability accident
Electrocution
Medical malpractice incident
Workplace injury
Construction accident
Manufacturing accident, or
Defective product.

Contact Lavent Law, P.A. today to schedule your free case evaluation. We will help you get the money you deserve for your burn injury.

What Damages are Available to Burn Injury Victims?

The financial costs of a burn injury can be overwhelming. Between medical bills, lost wages, and disability, your injury could realistically cost you tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. If someone else is responsible for your burn injury you can hold them financially responsible. Filing a personal injury lawsuit can allow you to recover the money you absolutely need at this incredibly difficult time.

At Lavent Law, P.A., our catastrophic injury lawyers know how to maximize the financial award you receive. We will thoroughly your accident and determine what caused your burn injury. Determining the cause will help us identify each person who may be responsible for causing your harm. We will aggressively pursue damages from anyone who contributed to your burn injury.

We will fight to get you compensation for:

Medical expenses
Rehabilitation
Disability
Lost income
Chronic pain
Emotional suffering
Disfigurement and scarring, and
The loss of enjoyment of life.

What’s the Time Limit for Filing a Burn Injury Claim in Florida?

When someone else causes your burn injury, you have the right to demand compensation. However, Florida limits the amount of time you can file a claim for damages. The statute of limitations for bodily injury claims is four years.

If you don’t file your claim within four years of your accident, you won’t be able to get the money you deserve. You can make sure that your claim is filed on time by contacting Lavent Law, P.A. immediately after your accident.

Speak with a Miami Personal Injury Attorney Today

Have you recently suffered a burn injury in a Miami accident? Contact the attorneys at Lavent Law, P.A. for immediate legal assistance. You need to focus all of your energy on your physical and emotional recoveries. Our Miami burn injury lawyers will handle your complex legal claim while you work on getting better. We will fight to make sure that you get the money you need and deserve for your burn injury.

Call us today to schedule a free case evaluation. We are here to help you navigate this difficult and painful time.