Burns and Fire Related Injuries

Ohio Fire, Burn, Accident And Injury Attorneys

A burn injury can be one of the most painful injuries to sustain, and recovering from them can require extensive medical care, physical therapy, even plastic surgery. Severe burns leave permanent damage to skin and tissues, and can limit the effective range of limbs and the body’s ability to move. If you or someone you love has experienced a fire-related or burn injury, you need to contact the experienced and proven burn and injury attorneys at Clark, Perdue & List.

Types Of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are usually measured in “degrees” based on the amount of damage to the skin, associated tissue and bone. These include:

A first-degree burn – usually a redness on the top layer of skin (the epidermis) that resembles a sunburn. While a first degree burn can be mildly painful, the skin will repair itself and most symptoms are gone within a few days.

A second-degree burn – results when the burn has progressed through the epidermis (first layer of skin) into the deeper layers of the skin (known as the dermis). Second degree burns usually present blisters and accumulated fluids, while the skin looks “whiter” in appearance.

Third-degree burns – are much more severe in nature and include charring through all layers of the skin. In a third-degree burn the skin can look like leather and feels thicker and harder. Fluids accumulating at the point of the burn can look dark red or purple, and in many cases, pain is lessened due to associated nerve damage. Third-degree burns require extensive care, including skin grafts and plastic surgery. In many cases, physical therapy is required to regain the use of or extended motion of the body and its limbs.

Fourth-degree burns – are the most severe burn injuries, where charring extends past the skin into the muscles and bones. Fourth-degree burns are life-threatening, and usually result in permanent loss in dexterity, motion, use of limbs, and perhaps the loss of fingers and toes. Fourth-degree burn victims will require several surgeries to accomplish skin grafts, extensive reconstruction and plastic surgery. These cases involve extensive physical therapy and require a “life-plan” to provide for the ongoing treatment, surgeries, care and therapy for the patient in the coming months and years.

Smoke Inhalation And Asphyxiation

Suffocation or asphyxiation from smoke inhalation is the primary cause of death in mobile home fires, house fires and other fire-related incidents. Upholstery, building materials, office equipment and other furnishings can release a toxic cloud of gases and smoke. Vital oxygen is removed from the air and is replaced with carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, smoke and other vapors that leave a victim quickly disoriented. In a short time the victim loses rational thought, feels sluggish and sleepy, ultimately losing consciousness. If they are removed from the area these victims can experience permanent damage to their lungs and breathways, resulting in permanent disability and the need for specialized medical care and equipment. In many cases, smoke inhalation causes death, and the family is left with the burden of determining the actual causes and if liability or the negligence of others is to blame.