Severe burns are often part of the injuries involved in a personal injury claim. Burns can be sustained by car accident victims due to anything from air bag deployment to a fire breaking out as a result of the accident. Burns can also be sustained because of a dangerously defective product. The fact of the matter is that burns are common results of a wide range of accidents and they can have a debilitating impact on those that sustain this type of injury. In fact, burns can have devastating and far reaching impacts beyond what you may initial think.
The Impacts of Burn Injuries
If you have been burned in an accident, you may notice your skin beginning to blister. Sometimes, the blisters will remain intact and other times they will begin to leak fluid. Burns are also often painful, although sometimes severe burns can feel painless as it has a kind of numbing effect on the skin. You may also notice that your skin and the area surrounding the burn will begin to look red and swell. Burns are very serious, but they can also range in severity. When a burn impacts several layers of skin and underlying tissues, then it becomes even more serious.
Those who experience a minor burn or a moderate burn may have scarring and may feel pain, but they can often recover without further incidence after a few weeks. Some who sustain more severe burns, however, can suffer for years or even for the rest of their lives. Studies have even shown that a severe burn injury has parallels with chronic diseases and should even be classified as such. In fact, severe burns have been linked to increased risks of developing health conditions such as:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Nervous system disorders
- Diabetes
- Musculoskeletal disorders
Those who sustained severe burn injuries are also more likely to struggle with anxiety and depression. These are all secondary pathologies that can develop due to the shock to the body that is a severe burn disrupting homeostasis.
Burn injury victims can also develop serious problems as the burn tries to heal. For instance, hypertrophic scars, which refers to the raised area of skin surrounding the original burn, are extremely common. These types of scars, however, can have a debilitating impact on the burn victim’s ability to function. They can also have an adverse impact on their body image.
Burn victims can also develop contractures. These develop when a burn scar continues to mature and, as it does, thickens and tightens. Contractures can greatly constrict movement, especially when they develop near a joint area.
Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys
If you have sustained a burn injury in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you need an attorney that is well-versed in pursuing the full extent of damages associated with this kind of injury. You can count on the personal injury team Cooper, Schall & Levy to fight for you and your right to be fully compensated for your injuries. Contact us today.
