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Burns, Scalding and Inhalation Injuries

Burns, scalding and inhalation injuries are caused as a result of many different accidents. The personal injury team at Bond Pearce have particular expertise in dealing with burns, scalding and inhalation injuries to both adults and children as a result of industrial accidents, car accidents, building fires, electrocution, inhalation of smoke or heat, accidents in the home, boiling water, fire works, bonfires, defective equipment and products such as smoke detectors and water heaters. Often there are associated complications with these injuries such as scarring, nerve damage, brain damage, infection, lack of mobility and dexterity. We recognise that these are amongst the most painful injuries that anyone can suffer and that recovery and rehabilitation can be a long process. We provide support and help along the way to ensure that our clients get the treatment they need quickly and to take the pressure off by handling all the legal ramifications.

If you have or a loved one has suffered an burns injury due to the negligence of someone else contact one of our personal injury lawyers for specialist legal advice. You can either fill out our online enquiry form, request a call back or call us direct on 0800 915 4650.

TYPES OF BURN INJURIES

There are three main degrees of burn injuries and the severity of a burn depends on how deeply it has affected the tissue.:

  • First degree burn - also known as a superficial burn, first-degree burns usually affect only the outer layer of skin (epidermis). They are the least painful and most common of all burns. They can be red and painful but there are usually no blisters and they heal fairly quickly.
  • Superficial second degree burn - second-degree burns mean that the first layer of skin burns through and the second layer is damaged. Superficial second degree burns usually affect the outermost layer of the dermis - the skin tissue just below the epidermis. Second-degree burns are considered minor if they cover less than 15% of the body. Superficial second degree skin burns are moist and pinkish in colour and produces red blanches when pressed.
  • Deep second degree burn - also known as partial thickness burns, deep second degree skin burns penetrating more deeply into the dermis are dry and whitish in color, and will not produce red blanches with pressure. These skin burns will usually take some time to heal and may leave thick scars.
  • Third degree burn - also known as full thickness burns, third degree burns are the most serious types of skin burns and are usually charred black with dry white areas. Third degree burns involve all layers of the skin. Third degree burns destroy the epidermal and dermal layers of skin and extending into subcutaneous tissue. These types of burns can be very painful, but some patients feel little or no pain because of the damage from burns to the nerve endings. Third degree burns generally require skin grafts and leave thick scars as they heal.
  • Other burn sites - Burns to the face, singeing of eyebrows or nasal hair and black deposits in the mouth or sputum indicate that the airways may be burnt.

EXTENT OF BURN INJURY

The extent of a burn is determined by the type and area which it covers. Body parts are given percentage values as a factor of the number nine - it is known as the Rule of Nines. For example, the upper extremities are given a value of 9 each, the front and back of the trunk 18 (9 X 2) each, the head 9, the lower extremities 18 each, and the genital area a percentage of 1. These values change slightly for children. The Rule of Palm is also used where the patient's palm is considered to be approximately 1% of body area.

LEVELS OF SEVERITY

Different areas of the body, the age of the burn victim and previous medical conditions can all affect the ability of someone to recover from a burn injury. Burns to the face, fingers or toes, and burns which cover or encircle a whole body part are considered more serious. Burns to the groin, buttocks, and thigh areas are also of concern since there is a greater chance of infection. The age of the burn victim is also important since those that are very young or elderly are less able to recover from burn injuries and their reactions can be more severe. For example a moderate burn to a young adult can be fatal to a baby. The health status of a burn victim can also make a difference with those who have underlying medical conditions such as respiratory ailments, heart disease or diabetes, reacting more severely to burn injuries.

The damage and seriousness of different burns can also be affected by the source of the injury. For example minor radiation burns are considered more serious than thermal burns, and chemical burns can cause additional damage if the chemical is still in contact with the skin.

CAUSES AND CLASSIFICATIONS OF BURN INJURY

The damage and seriousness of different burns can also be affected by the source of the injury. For example minor radiation burns are considered more serious than thermal burns, and chemical burns can cause additional damage if the chemical is still in contact with the skin. Burn injuries fall into one of the following categories:

  • Thermal burns - Thermal burns are the most common type of burn injury and are often the deepest. They can occur via flame, hot objects, hot liquids, flash burns from explosions, sunburns and as a result of residential fires, car accidents, arson, defective products such as heaters or other electrical appliances.
  • Chemical burns - Chemical burn injuries are usually a reaction of the skin to acids, caustics, alkalis, corrosive and other hazardous materials. These burns mostly occur in the work place.
  • Electrical burns - Electrical burns happen when an electric current travels from the contact site into the body, converting into heat as it goes from one point to another. This can cause burn injuries to the lens of the eye, the heart and other internal organs. In many cases the most serious damage can be difficult to detect.
  • Light burns
  • Radiation burns


OTHER RISKS AND INJURIES

INJURIES TO THE SKIN AND BODY

Burns can affect many areas of the body - the most common organ which is damaged being the skin. Burns can impair the body's fluid/electrolyte balance, body temperature, joint function and dexterity as well as appearance. Burns can also affect muscles, bones, nerves, and blood vessels. Some burns might require surgery to conduct skin grafts, prevent joint contractures, and treat infections. And burns can leave thick physical scars.

The respiratory system can also be damaged by burns, causing airway obstruction and respiratory difficulties.

Suffering a burn injury can be extremely traumatic as well as painful causing emotional and psychological scarring. This is especially of concern for children as burns can create discomfort, fear, and anger resulting from the stares and questions of strangers.

Burns severely affect the victims' quality of life and can require long-term medical care. Burns affect many people each year, often due to work accidents, road accidents, negligence or product malfunctions.

INJURIES TO THE SKIN INCLUDE:

  • BLISTERS, REDDENING
  • INFECTION
  • NERVES
  • PHYSICAL SCARS
  • SKIN GRAFTS
  • CHANGED APPEARANCE
  • SINGEING OF EYEBROWS OR NASAL HAIR
  • MUSCLES, BONES, BLOOD VESSELS
  • IMPAIRED FLUID/ELECTROLYTE BALANCE, BODY TEMPERATURE

OTHER INJURIES INCLUDE:

  • LACK OF MOBILITY - JOINT FUNCTION, DEXTERITY
  • EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SCARRING

INJURIES DUE TO INHALATION

There are many toxic substances present in fire smoke. These are known to cause three different types of inhalation injury:

  • Damage from Heat Inhalation: If you have high pressure force the heat into you or you directly breathe in a hot air/flame source, you can suffer damage to your lungs 'lung burn.' When hot air enters the nose, damage to the mucous membranes can occur.
  • Damage from Systemic Toxins: Systemic Toxins affect our ability to absorb oxygen. If someone is found unconscious or acting confused in the surroundings of an enclosed fire, systemic toxins could be the cause. Toxin poisoning can cause permanent damage to organs including the brain. Carbon Monoxide poisoning can appear symptomless up until the point where the victim falls into a coma.
  • Damage from Smoke Inhalation: Smoke intoxication is frequently hidden by more visible injuries such as burns as a result of fire. Patients that appear apparently unharmed can collapse due to major smoke inhalation and many of the fatalities resulting from burn injuries can be attributed to smoke inhalation.

Indications of an inhalation injury usually appear within 48 hours after the burn occurred. Indications may include:

  • Fainting
  • Respiratory distress or upper airway obstruction
  • Soot around the mouth or nose
  • Singed nasal hairs, eyebrows and eyelashes
  • Burns around the face or neck

INJURIES DUE TO INHALATION INCLUDE:

  • CARBON MONOXIDE
  • BRAIN DAMAGE, COMA
  • UPPER AIRWAY EDEMA
  • AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION
  • RESPIRATORY FAILURE

SCARRING

More serious burn injuries often result in physical scarring. There are three major types of scars which are the result of a burn injury:

  • KELOID SCARS - Keloid scars are an overgrowth of scar tissue which can grow beyond the site of the injury. They can be treated by removal of the tissue however they can grow back. These scars are generally red or pink and will become a dark tan over time. They occur when the body continues to produce collagen after the wound has healed. Keloid scars are thick, ridged and can be itchy during formation. Extensive keloids may become binding and limit mobility.
  • HYPERTROPHIC SCARS - Hypertrophic scars are red, thick and raised. They do not develop beyond the site of injury. Hypertrophic scars will improve over time.
  • CONTRACTURE SCARS - A contracture scar is a permanent tightening of skin that may affect the underlying muscles and tendons. This can limit mobility and damage the nerves. Contractures develop when normal elastic connective tissues are replaced with inelastic fibrous tissue. This makes the tissues resistant to stretching and prevents normal movement of the affected area.

When burns are fatal

At Bond Pearce we are experienced in helping people following the death of a loved one including representation at inquest. We aim to take the pressure off you at this most difficult of times and help you to get the answers you deserve. Preparing for an inquest can be a traumatic and bewildering experience on top of the shock and distress caused by the death. Many people feel that the legal procedures and processes in trying to discover the truth about the circumstances of a death are the last thing they can cope with after losing someone close. Read more about inquests.