Types and Causes of Burn Injuries

Burns are arguably one of the most painful injuries you can sustain. Between the high level of pain and the permanent disfigurement burns can cause, a burn injury can also lead to emotional anguish and long-term psychological damage.

Types of Burn Injuries

There are two main categories of burns: those caused by exposure to heat or flame, and chemical burns. Chemical burns are caused by exposure to caustic substances, such as lye or a strong acid. Whether caused by heat or chemicals, the damage from a burn looks and feels much the same.

Degrees of Burns

Accidental burns are a common injury. While a first-degree burn you sustain while frying an egg may only require an ice cube and some topical ointment, second and third-degree burns, particularly over large areas, can leave you hospitalized for long periods and may require skin grafts or other extensive treatments.

Most Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Cooking at home is the most common cause of minor, superficial burns. The type of burn injury that would lead someone to file an insurance claim—or a personal injury lawsuit—tends to come from a more serious type of accident. This accident can include the following:

• Car crashes
• Industrial accidents
• Explosions
• Building fires
• Scalding liquids
• Fireworks
• Gasoline spills
• Chemical spills

The most serious burns can damage tissue beneath the skin and may even result in death.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of a fire or burn, you are urged to contact the Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys of Wilson Kehoe Winingham. The lawyers at WKW can help you get the compensation you deserve. Call 317.920.6400 or fill out an online contact form for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

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