What Makes Burn Injuries Catastrophic Injuries?

Burn injuries can be very serious, extremely painful, and lead to permanent scarring and disfigurement. They can be so severe that your skin and even the bones underneath may become permanently damaged. If this applies to you, your burn injury is likely considered a catastrophic injury and needs professional medical treatment immediately.

The three degrees of burn injuries

According to the Mayo Clinic, burn injuries are classified in three different degrees. This is based on how severe the burn is and how much damage to the skin, tissue, muscle, and fat occurs. You should keep in mind that it can take several hours or days to realize the full effects of a burn injury, meaning that you may not know which degree your burn falls under for up to 48 hours. The following are the three degrees of burn injuries:

• First-degree burn injury: First-degree burn injuries are usually very minor and only cause a slight injury to the top layer of skin, known as the epidermis. You may notice light redness and minor pain to the area. These burn injuries are never considered to be catastrophic.
• Second-degree burn injury: Second-degree burn injuries are more serious than first-degree burn injuries as two layers of the skin are affected. These two layers of skin are called the dermis and epidermis. If you have this type of burn injury, you may notice redness, swelling, and discoloration of your skin. In addition, you may be in severe pain and even have blisters, which are sacs of fluid around the skin. A second-degree burn can be considered catastrophic depending on how bad the scarring is. In areas where your skin is thin, such as your face or neck, a second-degree burn will most likely be deemed a catastrophic injury due to the scarring, disfigurement, and long-term complications that burns can cause to these areas.
• Third-degree burn injury: Almost all third-degree burn injuries are regarded as catastrophic injuries. Third-degree burns cause permanent damage to the fat, muscles, and tissue within the skin. As a result, the skin will never look the same again. Instead, it may look like leather, turn brown, white, or even black. In addition, individuals who are diagnosed with third-degree burn injuries typically never have feeling in that area again as the nerves are completely damaged by the burns.

Beyond these three categories some medical professionals recognize fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-degree burns, which penetrate fat, muscle, and bone, respectively.

Signs that indicate that you may have a catastrophic burn injury

You may have recently suffered a burn and are not sure if it is considered a catastrophic injury. This may be because it does not appear infected or because you do not feel any pain. Regardless of your pain levels, it is highly recommended that you visit the emergency room or your primary care physician as quickly as possible. Burns can lead to permanent scarring, disfigurement, illnesses, and infections, which need to be assessed and treated right away.

Most catastrophic burn injuries permanently kill the nerves in your skin, which means that it is normal for them to not hurt. The longer you wait to get medical assistance, the longer your open burns and wounds are at risk of infection. Because the layers of your skin are destroyed, it prevents them from protecting your muscles, ligaments, and bones underneath. Here are a few of the signs that indicate that you may have a catastrophic burn injury:

• Your body feels like it is either overheating or extremely cold: The National Center for Biotechnology Information explains that it is common for individuals with severe and catastrophic burn injuries to experience “temperature intolerance and sensitivity.” For example, some patients with serious burns describe being near air conditioning as “uncomfortably cold.” However, when they get under blankets to warm up from being cold, they immediately begin to overheat. This is usually because individuals with catastrophic burn injuries no longer receive the same blood flow to the area, limiting or even eliminating the person’s ability to perspire and regulate their body temperature. As a result, even simple day-to-day activities like going for a jog with your spouse or taking your child on a ski trip can put you at serious risk.
• You notice severe scars starting to form: Scars are one of the most common indicators that a person has a catastrophic burn injury. You will have obvious scars that look like thick leather. This is because your skin is permanently damaged and will never heal or look the same again. Beyond a physical injury, these scars can lead to emotional and mental trauma as people become self-conscious and lose their confidence when they notice the irregular layer of skin forming over what used to be normal skin. Trauma of this kind can manifest in symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma, and more.
• Contractures and extreme pain emerge: When a burn injury victim has trouble moving their joints, this is likely because they are developing contractures. Catastrophic burn injuries damage all layers of the skin including the muscle, fat, and bones underneath. This commonly leads to those with catastrophic burn injuries to experience extreme pain in their joints as the skin becomes tighter around the burn. Depending on where your injury is located, contractures can affect your ability to feed, bathe, or dress yourself, in addition to other basic functions necessary in everyday life. If left untreated, contractures can become deadly as tightening of the skin can seriously affect organs underneath the skin.

Are you suffering from catastrophic burn injuries after being in an accident? If so, negligence may be a factor. The Los Angeles burn injury lawyers at McNicholas & McNicholas are here to help you navigate the legal process and hold the responsible parties accountable for negligence that caused your burns. We will listen to your experience, investigate your accident, protect your rights, and stand up for your right to the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm to schedule your virtual meeting with one of our attorneys today.

This blog should not be used as legal advice. Every case is fact specific. Therefore, you must consult with an attorney to get the proper legal advice based on your unique facts and circumstances.