Disfiguring Burn Injury

Accidents that cause disfigurement can be especially traumatic for the victim, as well as their family. Medical treatment for serious burns can be extensive and painful. Burn injuries can be caused by negligence involving fire, chemicals, electricity or heated objects.

Common symptoms of burn injuries include:

• Swelling and redness
• Blisters
• Blackened, charred skin
• Skin with a leathery appearance
• Pain

The pain alone from a burn can be debilitating. In fact, it can be so excruciating that patients must sometimes be medicated before their dressings are changed.

The Deeper the Burn, the Deeper the Damage

First-degree burns hurt, but they generally heal on their own without scarring. Burns that typically cause disfigurement are second-, third- and fourth-degree burns, as described below:

• Second-degree: The epidermis (outer layer of skin) and dermis are damaged. Skin appears wet, blisters develop and pain is severe.
• Third-degree: The epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue are damaged. Skin is leathery and numb. Nerves are destroyed.
• Fourth-degree: Nerves, muscle and bones are damaged. Skin has a blackened, charred appearance. The victim may feel no pain if nerve damage is extremely severe.

You can learn more about disfigurement in personal injury cases by visiting our article “Disfigurement Resulting from a Serious Accident”.