With Thanksgiving around the corner and turkey being put in the oven, on the grill or into a deep fryer, everyone should be careful about burns.
It goes without saying that one of the first things we teach children as they begin to walk is the risk of all things hot. That’s because we know that burns not only are extremely painful but also are dangerous. The most recent data from the U.S. Fire Administration tells us that in 2013, there were more than 3,400 deaths and almost 16,000 injuries from fires. These injuries and deaths are concentrated in certain populations. Adults aged 80 to 84 had the highest risk of death, and those over age 84 were at the highest risk of injury. At the other end of the age spectrum, children 4 and under were more at risk of both injury and death than other children.
Burns can happen anywhere – at home, on the job, or during leisure activities. Burns also can happen due to car accidents where a car catches fire in a collision or the collision causes the spillage of boiling hot liquids.
More than just being extremely painful, burns can result in scarring or disfigurement. This affects not only your body, but your self-image and self-esteem.
There are three types of burns.
- A first-degree burn affects the first layer of your skin. These usually don’t require medical treatment, but sometimes they can be quite large or painful. If that’s the case, you may want to visit your doctor.
- Second-degree burns are more severe. These burns affect the first layer and also the second later of skin. Second-degree burns can be minor, like from a bad iron burn. Or they can be more serious if they affect large areas of the body or the joints, face, hands, or genitals. For these burns, make sure you immediately receive the right treatment to avoid complications or infection.
- Third-degree burns are the most severe. These burns destroy both layers of the skin and also may damage the underlying bones, muscle, or tendons. Nerve endings also are damaged so there’s no feeling in the burned area. This type of burn needs immediate medical attention.
Regardless of your type of burn, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical costs and pain if someone else is at fault. The team at The Coppola Firm is here to help if this is the case for you or someone you love.
