Burns are painful injuries that are often seen in car accidents. Burns can be superficial or in serious cases, life-threatening.
There are four degrees of burn injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Outlined below is a guide on burn injury classifications.
First-degree burns
First-degree burns are the least serious type. They only affect the outer layer of the skin. They are usually associated with swelling, redness and mild discomfort. While these burns can be painful, they usually heal completely within a matter of weeks.
Second-degree burns
Second-degree burns are deeper. They go beyond the epidermis and penetrate deeper layers of skin. These burns usually blister and they can scar in some cases. It’s important to seek medical attention for these burns to reduce the risk of infections.
Third-degree burns
Third-degree burns are serious. They perish each layer of the skin and can even affect muscle tissue and bones. While these burns can be very painful, they can also be numb due to nerve damage. Infections are high-risk with this type of burn and surgery is often required to repair the damage.
Fourth-degree burns
Fourth-degree burns are the most serious type. They affect every layer of the skin and muscles, tendons and bones. Fourth-degree burns are often fatal as they impact large parts of the body. Survivors usually face a lengthy recovery which comprises multiple surgical treatments. It is common for sufferers of fourth-degree burns to require lifelong care.
If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to personal injury compensation. Seek legal guidance to find out more about this.
