Burns are some of the worst and most painful injuries a person can suffer. They affect not only the physical body, but also can leave significant emotional and mental scarring. Bad burns are often traumatic, resulting in stress disorders, nightmares, depression, and anxiety. Burns can take a long time to heal, especially with the risk of infection. They often lead to scars, amputations, or disfigurements that constantly remind the victim of the accident.
After a burn injury, contact Knutson + Casey for a free consultation regarding your case. Our Minneapolis attorneys want to help defend your rights after a negligence-related incident.
Burns can happen in car accidents, around the house, at daycare centers, nursing homes, and in the workplace. An unsafe premise that catches on fire could cause burn injuries, as could a household cleaner with a manufacturing error that makes it too acidic for safe use.
Burns are rated on a scale from one to three, depending on their severity. First-degree burns affect the outermost layer of the skin, or the dermis. These burns cause minimal skin damage and no permanent scars. Second-degree burns reach the deeper tissues and can result in blistering and scarring.
Third-degree burns are the most serious and can cause serious scars and disfigurement. They can also affect the underlying tendons and muscles, leading to loss of sensation. Third-degree burns can require skin grafts, surgeries, and rehabilitation for victims to regain use of the affected area. All types of burns can cause medical bills, lost time at work, pain and suffering, and myriad other real damages.
Second-degree burns are typically the most painful and can be accompanied by swelling and inflammation, as well as bubbling of the skin. Referred to as a “partial thickness burn,” a second-degree burn is often more painful because the nerves have been damaged by the burn but not destroyed. Therefore, the redness and blistering is felt while the burn penetrates the epidermis, and sometimes even the dermis layer of the skin.
As goes with any open wound, second-degree burns also carry the risk for infection during recovery. Medical attention is typically required and victims typically heal within 10-21 days.
If you recently sustained a burn injury, you’re aware of the many damages it can cause. To start, a great deal of pain and suffering and thousands of dollars in medical costs and treatments. You may have been out of work for an extended period or suffered a permanent disability that prevents you from returning to your previous position. You may have to attend emotional counseling and therapy to treat the non-physical harms your burn caused. You may be too scared to ever ride in a car again, use a certain electrical product, or return to work.
Even if you are unsure where to begin in your injury case, it is always best to first consult an experience attorney who can lead you towards the best path when seeking legal justice. Many personal injury claims have statute of limitations in Minnesota, which limit the amount of time you have after an injury to file your claim.
With all these fears and personal damages, an attorney can be your best friend and confidant. The trusted team at Knutson + Casey has experience representing burn victims and wants to extend its confidential professional services to others in the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas. After any type of burn injury, regardless of severity, request a free consultation with us. Our lawyers can investigate your accident and help you decide whether to file an injury lawsuit. Call (507) 344-8888 to schedule a free consultation today.