Burn Injuries Attorney Orlando

ARTICLE: Mattress Flammability
On average, more than 28,000 mattress fires occur annually, killing 571 people, injuring 3,000 and causing $334 million in property damage. Learn more.

Each year more that 1 million people suffer burn injuries, of which an estimated 4,500 Americans die. More than 500,000 burn victims are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year, and approximately 45,0000 victims require hospital admission.

There are five primary methods or ways in which a person may suffer a burn injury:

Thermal - including flame, radiation, or excessive heat from fire steam, and hot liquids and hot objects.
Chemical - including various acids, bases, and caustics.
Electrical - including electrical current and lightning.
Light - burns caused by intense light sources or ultraviolet light, which includes sunlight.
Radiation - such as from nuclear sources. Ultraviolet light is also a source of radiation burns.

Burns are rated according to how many layers of skin are damaged. Partial-thickness burns may be first or second degree.

First-degree burns are superficial burns that involve only the epidermis or outer layer of skin. They are the most common and the most minor of all burns. The skin is reddened and extremely painful. The burn will heal on its own without scarring within two to five days. There may be peeling of the skin and some temporary discoloration.

Second-degree burns occur when the first layer of skin is burned through and the second layer, the corium, is damaged but the burn does not pass through to underlying tissues. The skin appears moist and there will be deep intense pain, reddening, blisters and a mottled appearance to the skin. Second degree burns are considered minor if they involve less than 15 percent of the body surface in adults and less than 10 percent in children. When treated with reasonable care, second degree burns will heal themselves and produce very little scarring. Healing is usually complete within three weeks. Second-degree burns covering more than 30% of the body are serious or complex burns.

Full-thickness or third-degree burns involve all skin layers. are the most serious of all burns. These are usually charred black and include areas that are dry and white. While a third-degree burn may be very painful, some patients feel little or no pain because the nerve endings have been destroyed. This type of burn may require skin grafting. As third degree burns heal, dense scars form. Third-degree burns on the face and arms and legs, or more than 10% of the body surface are serious or complex burns.

Serious or complex burns usually affect more than just the skin. They can shut down or weaken vital systems, putting their victims at great risk for multiple complications. Serious or complex burns may result in collapse of the circulation, kidney damage, shutdown of the stomach and bowel system, infections, shock, pneumonia, and stress ulcer, characterized by vomiting blood, and stomach and bowel swelling.

With so many bodily functions compromised, burn victims need the simultaneous care of many specialists who must remain in constant contact to ensure that care is fully integrated.

If you or a family member have sustained a serious burn injury, the attorneys at Overchuck, Byron, Overchuck P.A. welcome the opportunity to consult you to determine whether a personal injury claim should be pursued, and we are available to answer your questions. Please send us an inquiry by using the form at our help page or email us.

For more information go to www.floridaburninjury.com