Severe Burn Injuries

Severe burns can cause excruciating pain to a burn victim. Even after suffering a severe burn, the medical treatments and procedures for treating severe burns are, in and of themselves, excruciating. Treatment of severe burns often involves frequent wound cleansing and changing of wound dressings. Medical studies have shown that burn victims produce extreme amounts of stress hormones throughout the injury and treatment process, which further complicates and lengthens wound healing.

In addition to the suffering associated with the injuring event, wound treatment procedures cause significant pain, and victims are often forced to reside in a hospital for an extended period of time, losing work even as the amount owed in medical bills skyrockets. One hospital has started using a new computer game to help burn victims take their minds off of the severe pain and anxiety surrounding medical treatment.

The professionals at Arnold & Smith, PLLC understand the immense suffering and anxiety that serious second-degree and third-degree burn injuries and the extended treatment these injuries necessitate cause. Some burns cause lifelong disfigurement, disability, and pain. Most victims of severe burn injuries face a long road to recovery that includes significant medical treatment. While medical professionals manage pain as much as they can, burn victims still experience pain and anxiety when wounds are cleaned and dressed.

Many burn victims have reflected that no medical treatment or medicine can fully alleviate the ever-present pain that serious burn injuries cause. If you have suffered a severe burn injury caused by someone else’s negligence, our lawyers can help. Contact our personal injury law firm today to schedule your free initial consultation.

First-degree burns are the least serious kinds of burns. These burns normally only affect the outer layers of skin. Those who suffer first-degree burns usually only suffer minimal pain and red skin. Some first-degree burns do not require medical treatment and can be successfully treated at home.

Second-degree burns affect the outer layers of skin as well as layers beneath the surface of the skin. Second-degree burns often cause blisters, intense heat, red blotches, swelling skin, and throbbing pain. A common source of second-degree burns is sunburn. Second-degree burns cause pain, and the rupturing of blisters can lead to infections and other complications.

Third-degree burn injuries affect every layer of a burn victim’s skin. A third-degree burn can also affect a burn victim’s fat and muscle. Some extremely severe third-degree burns can penetrate to a sufferer’s bone. Third-degree burns can cause a sufferer’s skin to appear black or white with a charred appearance.

Persons who suffer third-degree burns must immediately seek treatment at an emergency room or burn center that specializes in severe burn injuries. Third-degree burns often require months, if not years, of medical intervention. Victims of third-degree burns can expect to feel excruciating pain throughout this process. In some cases, medical professionals undertake skin graft surgeries to repair burn injuries.

Second and third-degree burns can cause severe pain and discomfort for a significant amount of time. The severity of the burn and other circumstances will dictate how long the healing process lasts. Unfortunately, medical treatment, physical therapy, and pain medication will not fully alleviate a serious burn victim’s pain. Continuing, constant pain can negatively impact a sufferer’s immune system and make it harder for the victim to fight off infections and recover from surgeries and treatments.

In addition to suffering severe pain, victims of severe burns can find it difficult to fall asleep, or to find a comfortable position in which to sleep. Severe pain can also negatively affect a person’s ability to go back to work and to concentrate on work. Managing the anxiety and depression that often accompany severe burn treatment can be challenging in the face of extensive, chronic pain. Chronic pain from severe burns inhibits a sufferer’s ability to enjoy spending time with family and friends. Severe burn injuries can have effects that linger permanently, affecting a sufferer’s everyday functions such as eating, sleeping, exercising, and movement.

If someone’s negligence was the cause of a burn injury, the burn injury victim may be entitled to compensation from the negligent person or company. The professionals at Arnold & Smith, PLLC fight hard to help clients manage and resolve the crushing medical debt that can accompany severe burns, and to win the most compensation possible under the law to compensate a victim for burn injury, treatment, and ongoing suffering. Contact our personal injury law firm today to schedule your free, initial case evaluation. Arnold & Smith, PLLC has offices in uptown Charlotte, in Monroe, and in Mooresville. The firm handles burn injury cases across the State of North Carolina.