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Losses from Second-Degree Burns Extend Beyond Surface Appearance

October 15, 2015 | Category: Burn Injuries

There are two common misconceptions surrounding burn injuries. First, many people associate burns only with some form of flame. Next, some believe that both first- and second-degree burns are not considered serious.

An experienced Los Angeles burn injury lawyer can attest to the fact that burn injuries do not always involve fire. Just as important, second-degree burns often involve more than superficial damages. They often cause long-term or permanent damage that can have a profound effect on a person's life — and, when caused by the negligence of other parties, they deserve appropriate compensation.

How to Identify a Second-Degree Burn

According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, second-degree burns are also called partial thickness burns because they extend beyond the top layer of skin (the epidermis) to the inner layer (the dermis). This inner layer contains hair follicles, nerves and many other important things that serve as a support system for the epidermis.

It is vital to seek immediate medical treatment to help reduce long-term damage, which means that victims need to recognize the primary symptoms, such as the following:

  • Blistered skin
  • Burn areas that are deep red and may appear wet or shiny, or even white or discolored burn areas, possibly in an irregular pattern
  • Sensitivity or pain when touched

Even when burns like these appear to heal completely, they can have long-term effects. Facial scarring alone can affect certain employment opportunities while leaving serious psychological issues. In other cases, they can impede movement or even cause noticeable numbness.

Negligence is a Common Cause of Serious Burn Injuries

All too often, burn victims might have avoided the need for medical treatment or long-term suffering if someone else had exercised a greater degree of caution. Of course, individuals who cause fires, such as careless smokers or even people who do not keep matches away from children, should be held accountable for the injuries they cause. However, negligence often extends beyond the obvious causes:

  • Building workers who leave live wires exposed can cause serious electrical burns to other building occupants.
  • Chemical companies that package corrosive chemicals without providing clear and highly-visible warnings can injure uninformed users.
  • Tanning facilities that fail to properly inform and monitor users can contribute to serious burns over a large portion of the body within a short time period.
  • Appliance manufacturers that fail to safeguard the equipment they sell can share responsibility for major fires.

The true causes of burns are not always immediately apparent. The first course of action is always to err on the side of caution and see a doctor in the event of any degree of distress. However, if there is any question about who may have contributed to a serious burn, it is important to obtain a free case evaluation from The Rudman Law Firm, APC. To find out if you should consider taking legal action, call us toll free at (844) 478-3626 / (844) 4RUDMAN, at our Los Angeles office (213) 375-3777 or at our Studio City office (818) 769-6969. You can also use our convenient online contact form to learn how we can help.

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