How Burns Affect the Body
Burns affect the body differently depending on the circumstances of the injury. The outer tissues of skin are the most obvious part of the body that is affected. However, depending on the severity of the burn, the nerve endings, blood vessels, muscle tissues and bones can also be damaged.
There are many possible causes of burns, including the following:
- Cold
- Chemicals
- Electricity
- Friction
- Heat
- Light
- Radiation
Burn victims can experience a wide variety of complications, all of which if not properly treated can result in fatal complications. The extent of injury also depends on the location of the injury and the degree of severity. Possible complications of burn injuries include:
- Deformity
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Infection
- Respiratory distress
- Scarring
- Shock
Degrees of Severity
Burns are commonly classified into categories of first, second and third degree burns. Some classification systems also refer to fourth, fifth and sixth degree burns. The later higher categories are often used to describe the extent of a victim’s injuries post-mortem (after death).
- First-Degree Burns – Cause redness, a white plaque and pain at the burn site. These burns are limited to the outermost layer of skin (epidermis).
- Second-Degree Burns – Cause redness, superficial blistering and can cause either much pain or very little pain depending on the level of involvement of the nerves in the area. The tissues involved are the outer (papillary) dermis layer and possibly the deeper (reticular) dermis.
- Third-Degree Burns – The epidermis is lost and there is deep charring and extreme damage to the dermis. The innermost layer of tissue (hypodermis) is also damaged in many cases. Scarring and loss of hair shafts and keratin occur and grafting may be necessary to aid in healing and the avoidance of infection.
Burns injuries can be devastating and cause disfigurement, scarring, depression and physical impairment. Michael V. Barszcz, M.D., J.D., handles all of his legal cases on a contingency basis. This means that you are not obligated to pay him until he has achieved a monetary award in your case. If you have suffered a burn injury due to another’s negligence, contact our Florida personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., for a free consultation.
