Why Are Burn Injuries So Dangerous?

Friday, January 26, 2018 by The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman

Burn injuries are some of the most dangerous injuries you will encounter throughout your life.  Based on the location of the injury and other factors, these injuries may demand ongoing medical treatment and a lengthy recovery.

The skin protects your body from the outside world. It’s your outer shell, which helps bacteria and other dangerous germs from entering the body. The skin can help adjust your body temperature and send important information to the brain about the environment. The skin basically has three layers:

• Epidermis layer -This is the outer skin, which protects your body.
• Dermis layer – The next skin layer contains collagen, protein, sensory nerves, and important structures, including sweat and oil glands.
• Subcutaneous layer – It’s made of soft and fatty tissues just below the dermis, which provide insulation as well as shock absorption.

Burn severity

The skin can be badly injured when coming into contact with heat and dangerous chemicals. It all depends on how long you have been exposed and the location of the burn. But for the most part, these injuries can be very painful and debilitating. It is important you go to a medical professional that specializes in this area of medicine to help you diagnose the severity of your burn. Larger burns are generally harder to recover from. However, there are times when smaller burns can also be dangerous, depending on how profound they are. Burn injuries, whether minor or severe can weaken your immune system and result in dead tissue.

Burn classification

• First-degree burns – This category generally affects the epidermis layer and they heal quickly.
• Second-degree burns – These burns usually get to the dermis and cause infections. They take longer to heal.
• Third degree burns – They can kill nerve ending minimizing sensation. In most cases, patients may need amputation and tissue removal.
• Fourth degree burns – Victims may experience loss of function and death is also possible. Tissue removal and amputation may also be required.

Severe burn injuries can be very dangerous and cause complications. Some dangers include infections, damage to blood vessels, bones and joints damage. The third and fourth degrees can pose some serious problems. It is a life-altering experience nobody wants to go through.

Burn injuries can leave the skin vulnerable to infections. It’s difficult to protect your skin from bacteria when your skin has suffered significant damage through burn injuries. In some cases, the infection can be so bad that it causes organ failure. Victims of burn injury may also suffer low blood volume. When you lose a lot of fluids, your heart won’t be able to pump sufficient blood across the body. You may also experience limited body movement due to severe damage to your bones and joints.

If you believe your injuries were the cause of someone else’s negligence, call an Oxnard burn injury attorney and explain your situation. Perhaps you have a case.