New Jersey Burn Injury Lawyers
Burn Classifications
The skin is arguably the most important organ in the body. The skin is the body's first line of defense against anything that threatens to harm internal organs. When the skin is burned the results can be disastrous and even lead to death. In order to more effectively diagnose and treat burn related injuries there are several levels of severity that the medical community has generally accepted.
The most common levels are known as first, second and third degree burns. Other degrees of burns can include fourth, fifth and sixth degree burns though these are very rare. If you or a loved one has been injured by a burn in New Jersey please contact our office for a free consultation.
First degree burns are the most common and least severe types of burns. These, like any kind of burn, can be caused by a number of factors. First degree burns typically result in a reddening of the skin around the affected area. These burns only affect the outer layers of the skin. A swelling of the skin around the burn may result and there is generally some pain that continues to linger for up to a few days.
Second degree burns are burns that affect both the outer and inner layers of skin. Blisters of varying size and shape are common in second degree burn cases. There is also redness and pain that lasts much longer than that in a first degree burn. The swelling of the burn area can also be larger than the swelling of a first degree burn and can last for much longer. Permanent skin disfigurement is a possibility. Second degree burns can often appear "wet" because they can cause a complete loss of fluid that seeps through the burned skin. Fever, pus, numbness of other body parts and a blistering with a green color may accompany second degree burns as well.
Third degree burns are very serious injuries to both the inner and outer layers of the skin. Serious scarring is possible and likely in third degree burns, resulting in permanent disfigurement to the area and the surrounding skin areas. Third degree burns can usually be painless, though the skin around the burn tends to hurt quite a bit. These burns result in a silver or black coloration of the affected skin area. Third degree burns need to be seen by immediate medical professionals and potentially in a specialized burn center. These burns usually require plastic surgery to heal the skin and surrounding area.
Fourth degree burns are so serious that the skin is lost completely. Fifth degree burns result in the loss of the muscle and skin. Sixth degree burns are so deep that the bone is charred and all surrounding skin and muscle is lost.
Regardless of the severity of the burn you should always contact a personal injury lawyer for free legal advice. Lependorf & Silverstein are offering free consultations with a New Jersey burn victim attorney from our office in Princeton or through this website. Our lawyers have extensive experience with burn victims throughout New Jersey. Our clients have recovered financial damages that have helped pay for expensive medical bills, loss of work, plastic surgery, pain and suffering, physical therapies and many more. Please contact us for a free consultation to learn about your rights following a burn incident.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a serious burn injury accident in New Jersey, contact Lependorf & Silverstein today for a free consultation.
