San Mateo Burn Injury Attorney

San Mateo Burn Injury Attorney

According to the American Burn Association, 486,000 people receive medical treatment for burns in the United States annually. Additionally, the organization released data stating that an estimated 40,000 burn victims need to be hospitalized, and 30,000 receive treatment at burn centers. 

If you have recently been involved in an accident that has left you with burn injuries, you need to consider hiring A San Mateo burn injury attorney. A burn injury attorney from the Law Offices of Scott Righthand can help you with your burn accident case to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Utilizing the services of a qualified San Mateo burn injury attorney will allow you to focus on your recovery while they focus on handling your case.

The Different Types Of Burns

In hospitals around the world, burns are classified according to their level of severity. Below we have had a closer look at the four different types of burns that your injury was likely classified as. 

First-Degree Burns

A first-degree burn is usually mild and often doesn’t involve medical treatment. These burns are superficial and only affect the top layer of your skin. If you notice itchiness, swelling, pain, and redness, you likely have a first-degree burn. A first-degree burn can take a few days to a week to heal in most cases. 

Second-Degree Burns

Unlike first-degree burns, second-degree burns are more severe. This type of burn affects the top two layers of your skin. Examples of second-degree burns include contact with boiling water, exposure to fires, and sometimes severe sunburn. 

With a second-degree burn, you can experience intense pain, have redness, swelling, itchiness, blisters, and scarring. It’s important to note that some second-degree burns can be minor, but generally, these burns take several weeks to heal. Additionally, some can even be life-threatening.

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns are commonly incredibly serious injuries. These burns are also referred to as full-thickness burns because they completely destroy the top two layers of your skin and the fatty tissues underneath. 

Most times, with a third-degree burn injury, your skin can look white, charred, brown, or black. These burns always require medical attention, and usually, extensive medical treatment is administered, including skin grafts and surgery. Third-degree burns can take up to 18 months or longer to heal completely. 

Fourth-Degree Burns

The worst type of burn injury you can sustain is a fourth-degree burn, and many of these injuries are fatal. These burns damage the top layer of your skin, the fatty tissues underneath it, the nerves, and possibly muscles and bone. With fourth-degree burns, your skin will look charred, and in some instances, the bone could be visible. 

However, pain is not usually felt with these burns until the injury starts to heal because of nerve damage. With a fourth-degree burn injury, medical care needs to be sought immediately as often they can lead to amputations and death if left untreated. Additionally, these burns can take months or years to heal completely. 

The Most Common Causes of Burns

Now that you know the different types of burn injuries, you can learn the common burn injury causes. Below we have summarized the four main causes of burns in San Mateo.

• Chemical Burns:This type of burn commonly occurs with acids, solvents, and corrosive substances. Household cleaning items, trucking accidents with hazardous cargo, and handling of chemicals at the workplace can all lead to chemical burns. 

• Thermal Burns: These burns are caused when you have direct contact with an external heat source. You can get a thermal burn from fires, steam, hot objects, and scalding liquids. 

• Electrical Burns: If electricity comes into contact with your skin, it can lead to an electrical burn. These burns commonly occur in the workplace and can occur if you touch exposed wiring on an appliance. 

• Radiation Burns: Radiation burns are not as commonly seen. These types of burns are caused by extended exposure to X-Rays, UV-Rays, and other radiation sources. Commonly, radiation burns take a few days to a few weeks to notice. 

What Compensation Can Burn Victims Receive?

In San Mateo, you could be entitled to compensation if you have suffered burn injuries during an accident. Below we have briefly detailed the various types of compensation you could claim. 

• Punitive Damage: Although rare in California, burn victims can seek punitive damages. You could be awarded punitive damages if you can prove that a negligent party acted recklessly or carelessly intentionally and their actions led to your burn injuries. 

• Economic Damages: When you seek economic damages, you are looking for damages that a dollar value can be attached to. Economic damages are usually easy to determine and can include medical bills, lost wages, property damages, child care, and home care. 

• Non-Economic Damages: When you have a burn injury, it’s crucial to determine what the long-lasting consequences of your injury will be. You can seek non-economic damages for pain and suffering, disfigurement, scarring, emotional distress, loss of companionship, and loss of quality of life. 

Consult A San Mateo Burn Injury Attorney Today To Speak About Your Case

Regardless of if you have a minor or major burn injury, a San Mateo burn injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Scott Righthand can help you. We know how difficult it can be to focus on recovering while you try to fight your legal battle. 

That’s why when you work with us; you can reduce your stress as we will handle all aspects of your case to obtain a fair settlement on your behalf. Get in contact with our office today for a consultation.