Queens Burn Injury Lawyers

Queens Burn Injury Lawyers Ready To Fight For You

If you or someone you know has experienced a burn injury caused by an accident in New York City, and it is affecting your daily life and finances, please contact Rosenberg & Rodriguez’s experienced Queens burn injury lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation, and we can help you pursue it. At Rosenberg & Rodriguez, we are committed to assisting burn injury victims throughout New York City who have experienced unexpected accidents. We understand the devastating effect that burn injuries can have on your life, and we are here to offer you support throughout the entire process.

Severe Burn Injuries: More Common Than You Might Think

Burns are very harmful, and many of them could be prevented. However, they still occur frequently, which is very sad. According to the American Burn Association, burns are a leading cause of accidental injuries and deaths in the United States. From 2011 to 2015, U.S. hospitals treated almost 500,000 fire or burn-related injuries. Unfortunately, it’s improbable that the number of injuries has decreased in recent years.

If you’re a Queens resident experiencing severe burns, there are five nearby burn centers in Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Island, and Nassau County that offer excellent medical care. The Health Library at New York Presbyterian Hospital, a burn center, has additional resources available on burn injuries.

Understanding The Different Types of Burn Injuries

Burns are injuries that can affect one or more layers of skin, as well as the tissue and other structures beneath it. Burn centers typically treat burns in the following categories:

• Heat burns – Exposure to high temperatures, including flames, explosions, steam, hot liquids, or contact with a hot object, can cause damage to several layers of the skin.
• Cold burns – Skin tissue can become damaged by extremely cold temperatures, either by freezing or chapping, which can result in conditions such as frostbite and windburn.
• Electrical burns – When a person touches a live wire or gets struck by lightning, electricity can burn their skin similarly to intense heat.
• Chemical burns – Chemicals that are caustic or toxic, including solids, liquids, and gases, can cause chemical reactions that harm or ruin skin tissue. For example, if battery acid spills onto a person’s hands, it can result in damage.
• Radiation burns – Exposure to high energy waves and particles can damage the skin cells and tissues underneath. Both sunburn and burns caused by radiation-based cancer treatments are examples of radiation burns.
• Friction burns. When the skin comes in contact with a surface and is rubbed repeatedly, it can cause heat and abrasion that leads to burns on the skin. Examples of this include road rash from sliding along pavement after a motorcycle accident, as well as damage to hands from grabbing onto a fast-moving rope.

Burn Degrees Of Severity

Burn injuries are categorized into different degrees based on the amount of damage they cause to skin and tissue. Here are the different degrees of burns:

First-Degree Burns

First-degree burns affect only the top layer of skin and can be treated at home using non-prescription medications and ointments. They will usually heal within a week.

Second-Degree Burns 

Second-degree burns, also referred to as partial thickness burns, harm multiple layers of the skin and may lead to blistering or discoloration, including white or spotted patterns. It is crucial to obtain medical attention for these burns to prevent infection.

Third-Degree Burns 

Third-degree burns, also referred to as total thickness burns, affect all layers of the skin and may even damage the underlying body tissue. Such burns cause the skin to toughen and turn leathery. Seeking immediate medical attention is crucial as these burns carry a high risk of infection.

Fourth-Degree Burns

If someone has fourth-degree burns, it means that their skin layers and tissue, as well as structures beneath them, such as bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and organs, have been destroyed. Since this is a severe injury that can be life-threatening, it’s important to seek emergency medical attention right away.

Fifth-Degree Burns

When a person suffers from fifth-degree burns, it affects not only their skin but also the bone underneath. This kind of burn can cause the skin to look blackened or pale, and the bone can be seen. Besides, they can bring about long-term damage to the body, causing organ failure. Sometimes, to prevent the spread of the injury or infection, doctors might have to amputate the affected area.

Sixth-Degree Burns

Severe burns can be caused by prolonged exposure to high heat or from a car accident or explosion. They may affect the skin and underlying bone. It is crucial to understand that these burns, known as sixth-degree burns, can pose a risk to a person’s life.

If you have a burn that looks worse than a first-degree burn, get to a doctor as soon as possible. Don’t try to figure out if it needs medical attention on your own because burns worse than first-degree can lead to dangerous infections. Your health is too important to take any chances.

Top Causes Of Burn Injuries

It’s crucial to understand that burn injuries are more pervasive than we might think. As per the CDC, about 1.1 million people in the US require medical attention for burn injuries annually. Among them, a substantial proportion of patients suffer severe burns, with approximately 50,000 individuals needing hospitalization for treatment. In addition, around 4,500 people do not survive their burn injuries.

Accidental burn injuries are a common occurrence and often happen due to negligence or lack of attention. The American Burn Association reports that burns are a leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the United States. In New York, the primary causes of accidental burn injuries include:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Defective products
• Hazardous or unsafe premises
• Construction accidents
• Explosions, and
• Medical negligence

If you have sustained burn injuries that were caused by someone else, it may be worthwhile to explore legal action and consider filing for compensation. You can contact our Queens burn injury lawyers at Rosenberg & Rodriguez to learn more about your legal rights and options.