Burn Injuries
Springfield, MO

Car accidents, gas-caused fires, and defective tools or equipment can all cause burns for anyone caught too close. Though a minor burn can be treated at home, severe burn injuries (such as a 5th degree burn) may require special treatment and an extended recovery period. They can cause lifelong scarring and come with a heavy mental burden as well.

We are here to help ease that burden wherever we can.

When an accident or other act of negligence results in burn injuries, victims may be able to get help. Rah Law has been standing up for the injured for over 45 years. Call 417-512-2333 if you’re looking for an experienced advocate.

Separated by cause, burns are categorized as one of the following:

• Thermal burns, which are caused by heat, are the most common type of burn injury. They can be subcategorized into contact burns (which result from touching a hot object), scald burns (which result from touching a hot liquid or steam), and fire burns.
• Chemical burns occur when your skin comes into contact with materials that are strongly acidic or alkaline. They may be caused by anything from home cleaners to industrial materials and can affect the skin, eyes, and internal organs.
• Electrical burns result from a current flowing through your body and come from uninsulated wires or other sources of electricity.
• Radiation burns are caused by exposure to dangerous high-energy particles like UV rays from the sun and x-rays.
• Friction burns happen when the skin rubs against another surface or is scraped. For instance, if a motorcyclist is not wearing proper clothing or gear and they crash, if part of their body slides across the ground, it can cause serious friction burns.

Medical providers use the following classifications when diagnosing burn injuries:

• First-degree burns affect only the epidermis, or the top layer of skin. They can be treated at home and usually have no lasting effects.
• Second-degree burns affect both the epidermis and part of the layer under it (the dermis). They typically turn bright red and may be shiny, swollen, and blistered. If larger than a few inches in size, doctors recommend you seek professional treatment for these wounds.
• Third-degree burns result in the death of both epidermis and dermis and can affect subcutaneous tissue as well. They often destroy hair follicles, sweat glands, and nerve endings. Third-degree burns typically appear either white or a charred/blackened color and always necessitate medical care. Your skin will never fully recover from this type of burn.
• Fourth-degree burns go through all layers of skin and affect the fat underneath. Because nerve endings have been destroyed, these burns may not hurt.
• Fifth-degree burns affect muscle tissue, which will never fully recover from the damage. Often injuries of this severity require amputation because graft technology has not advanced enough to be useful in cases of muscle death.
• Sixth-degree burns are the deepest type of burn, charring victims to the bone. They are typically fatal due to the amount of shock the body sustains.