San Diego Burn Injury Attorney

Suffered a Burn Injury Caused by Negligence in SD?

Approximately 500,000 burn victims receive treatment in the United States every year, according to data from the American Burn Association. The survival rate for burn injuries is 94 percent, but these injuries can be extremely painful and often require extensive rehabilitation and medical care.

• Radiation
• Electrical burns
• Explosions & fires
• Defective products
• Thermal burns from irons, ovens, hair curlers, and other hot items
• Scalding by hot water, coffee, steam, and other hot liquids
• Chemical burns from substances such as acid, paint thinner, and lye

Scenarios that often result in severe burns include car accidents, workplace injuries, defective products, and other incidents of third-party negligence or recklessness. If you or someone in your family received severe second- or third-degree burns in an accident, talk to a member of our San Diego personal injury law firm.

Contact us today at (619) 215-1488 for a free consultation.

Degrees of Burns and Recovering from Burn Injuries

There are generally three degrees of burns, although some severe burns that result in amputation are often classified as fourth degree burns. Each degree of burn warrants a different treatment and recovery time.

• First Degree Burns: Affecting the epidermis only, first degree burns usually go away within 5 to 10 days. First degree burns are most commonly caused by overexposure to the sun. Many people who work outdoors may suffer from repeat sunburns and could be at an increased risk of skin cancer.
• Second Degree Burns: Some burns only go so far as the superficial dermis while severe burns affect the reticular dermis. Usually, these types of burns will result in blistering and require anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks of healing.
• Third Degree Burns: These burns extend through the entire dermis and usually appear white or brown in color. Some people never fully recover from third degree burns. At minimum, recovery time is at least a few months.

Long-Term Effects of Serious Burn Injuries

Severe burn injuries can have profound and long-term effects on the body and mind, depending on the depth, extent, and location of the burns, as well as the individual’s overall health.

Physical Effects

• Scarring and Contractures: Deep burns often result in extensive scarring. The skin can become tight and form contractures, which restrict movement and require ongoing therapy or surgical intervention.
• Chronic Pain: Nerve damage from burns can lead to persistent pain or abnormal sensations, such as hypersensitivity or numbness.
• Temperature Regulation Issues: Damage to sweat glands can impair the body's ability to regulate temperature, increasing vulnerability to overheating or hypothermia.
• Amputations: In cases of severe burns that result in tissue death, amputations may be necessary.
• Infections: Long-term susceptibility to infections can persist due to compromised skin barriers and weakened immune function.
• Organ Damage: Severe burns can affect internal organs, especially if burns cover a large surface area and trigger systemic inflammatory responses.

Psychological and Emotional Effects

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Survivors often experience flashbacks, anxiety, or depression related to the trauma of the injury.
• Body Image Issues: Visible scars or deformities can lead to self-consciousness and social withdrawal.
• Chronic Stress and Depression: Coping with long-term medical needs and lifestyle changes can contribute to mental health challenges.

Functional Impairments

• Mobility and Dexterity Loss: Scarring over joints can limit movement, requiring extensive physical therapy or surgeries.
• Vision or Hearing Impairment: Burns to the face may affect the eyes or ears, leading to partial or total loss of these senses.
• Speech and Swallowing Difficulties: Burns to the neck and throat may impair speaking and eating, necessitating speech therapy or feeding modifications.

Long-Term Medical Needs

• Surgical Interventions: Skin grafts and reconstructive surgeries are often necessary to restore function and appearance.
• Physical Therapy: Prolonged rehabilitation is essential to maintain range of motion and rebuild strength.
• Prosthetics and Adaptive Devices: Some survivors may require these to regain function and independence.
• Chronic Health Conditions: Burn injuries can lead to conditions such as arthritis or chronic fatigue.

Social and Economic Impacts

• Employment Challenges: Physical limitations or appearance-related stigma may impact career opportunities.
• Financial Burden: Ongoing medical treatments, surgeries, and therapy can be costly.
• Social Isolation: Burn survivors may experience discrimination or feel excluded due to their appearance or limitations.

Support and Recovery

The recovery process for severe burns is multifaceted and includes medical, physical, and psychological support. Multidisciplinary teams involving surgeons, physical therapists, psychologists, and social workers play a critical role in helping survivors regain their quality of life.

Recovering After a Severe Burn Injury

Burn injuries last a lifetime. While most burn victims understand that they can seek compensation for the injury, pain and suffering, and lost wages, they do not often think about how their burns will affect them in the future.

• Organ failure from second- and third-degree burns
• Skin grafting procedures that occur over time
• Permanent scarring and/or disfigurement

Because of the substantial damage that burn injuries can cause, it is vital to fight for full and fair compensation â compensation that covers your current medical expenses as well as your future needs.

Leading Causes of Second- and Third-Degree Burns

• Auto Collisions and Car Fires: After severe car accidents, certain defective cars can start on fire, called post-collision fuel-fed fires.
• Gas Explosions: Gas eruptions can occur during the construction of hotels and other buildings where gas lines leak. A gas explosion can also occur when underground gas facilities rupture in some way.
• Electrical Burns: These cases often involve electricians and others who get burned by high-voltage transmission lines or when working on panels that were improperly marked.

Burn Injury Fact Sheet

• In 2012, the ABA estimated that 450,000 burn injuries required medical treatment.
• Burns and fires caused roughly 3,400 deaths across the nation.
• The majority of those deaths were the result of residential fires.
• In total, 40,000 people were hospitalized for their burn injuries.
• Men were more than twice as likely as women to be hospitalized with a burn injury.

Children make up a disproportionate percentage of the victims of burn injuries. Some injury types, like scald injuries, are often suffered by children who do not recognize the danger of hot liquids. They often pull objects down from surfaces their parents believed were out of reach. The burns in these cases are often suffered on the face, head and neck of the child. The recovery period for children suffering severe burns can last a decade or more. As with most types of injuries, burns can often be prevented by careful attention to potential sources. Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers should be present and operational in residential homes.

Contact The McClellan Law Firm: (619) 215-1488

At The McClellan Law Firm, we are proud to have a considerable track record of successful case results in the greater Southern California area. Each San Diego personal injury lawyer on our team has what it takes to effectively and aggressively pursue your rights. You could be entitled to compensation for the following:

• Medical losses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity

Contact The McClellan Law Firm to speak to a member of our team for a free, no-obligation case evaluation over the phone. Our award-winning firm offers elite service and sophisticated representation to important cases. We value your case because we value our clients. Let us make your priorities our priorities and ensure that you have the ability to face the future with confidence and recover from a serious accident.

To request a free case review, call (619) 215-1488or contact us online today.