Immediate Steps To Take Following A Burn Injury

If you or your child suffer a burn injury, the first step to take is always to treat the burn. Burn injuries cause a break in the skin and can become infected if they are not properly addressed.

The degree of a burn determines its treatment and whether or not you need to seek outside medical attention for a burn injury. The following article addresses burn injury care and the steps to take if you are the victim of a burn injury through no fault of your own.

Types of Burn Injuries

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are three types of burn injuries. These are first, second, and third-degree burns. 

A first-degree burn involves the outermost layer of the skin and is the type of burn usually associated with sunburn. The skin is intact but swollen. A first-degree burn may have small blisters.

A second-degree burn is one where the second layer of skin, called the dermis, is burned. A second-degree burn forms blisters, and is painful, red, and swollen.

Third-degree burns are severe burn injuries regardless of size. These burns include all layers of the skin and can result in permanent tissue damage. The skin may look charred, blackened, or white and be dry or leathery.

Burn Injury Treatment

Caring for a burn injury depends on its severity. For a first-degree burn, it is important to stop the burning with cool, running water. Do not ice the burn injury. 

Remove any jewelry or clothing around the burn as soon as possible. Use a clean, sterile cloth to cover the burn. Drink fluids, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever for discomfort.

A second-degree burn may be treated at home if it is smaller than three inches and does not involve a functional part of the body. Otherwise, a second-degree burn injury must be treated by a family doctor, urgent care, or emergency room.

Third-degree burn injuries always need emergency care and evaluation as do any burn injuries that are accompanied by a persistent fever or redness extending beyond the border of the burn injury itself.

Always seek professional medical advice for questions about a burn injury or a burn’s healing process.

Protecting Your Legal Rights Following a Burn Injury

Seeking medical attention is the priority following any burn injury. If your burn injury was the result of someone else’s negligence, there are steps you can take to protect your legal rights along with your physical well-being.

These are:

• Documenting the incident. Take photographs of the accident scene and conditions. Record the date, time, and location;
• Write down eyewitness contact information. Get eyewitness phone numbers and addresses along with a brief description of what they witnessed;
• Report the incident to the appropriate authorities. File an incident report with a supervisor, building management, or safety officer;
• Keep your records. Keep all of your records and copies of any injury-related correspondence in a folder. Keep a log of your expenses and an account of how your burn injury has impacted your life; and
• Contact a San Antonio burn injury attorney. A burn injury attorney can offer valuable advice about your right to pursue compensation for accident-related losses and more.

Do not wait to seek medical or legal help for a burn injury. An unnecessary delay could prove detrimental to any future legal claim for damages.

Contact an Experienced San Antonio Burn Injury Attorney Today

Contact an experienced San Antonio burn injury attorney at The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC, now to schedule your complimentary case consultation. We will review the circumstances of your accident and advise you of your legal options.

The Aguirre Law Firm, PLLC, is passionate about pursuing justice for victims of burn injuries. We have a track record of success and want to achieve positive results for you!