Burn injury being taken care of by doctor
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By Joseph Dell
Managing Partner

Burn injuries can affect much more than your skin. In fact, nearly all vital organs and nerve endings are susceptible to damage from burn injuries. In addition to their serious physical effects, burn injuries can leave victims emotionally traumatized for years to come—and even a lifetime. If you’ve been injured in a burn accident, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible for assistance. In this article, we discuss the degrees of burn injuries. 

First-Degree Burns

A first-degree burn is a type of burn that only affects the outermost layer of the skin, which is known as the epidermis. After the initial pain caused by the burn, a first-degree burn is similar to a minor sunburn. These types of burns are typically caused by making contact with a hot object for a brief period. First-degree burn symptoms include: 

  • Redness that is painful to the touch
  • A dry appearance
  • Slight swelling
  • Tingling

Second-Degree Burns

The layer of skin beneath the epidermis is called the dermis. When a burn reaches the dermis, it is categorized as a second-degree burn. Even slight second-degree burns can be extremely painful. Common causes of second-degree burns include brief contact with flash explosions, electrical arcing, scalding liquids, hot surfaces, and open flames. Second-degree burn symptoms include:

  • Blisters
  • Pink or red coloring
  • Lightening of the color of the affected area when pressure is applied 
  • Scarring

Third-Degree Burns

Third-degree burns, also known as full thickness burns, area the result of prolonged exposure to a heat source. These burns are commonly caused by the same sources as second-degree burns—but for a longer period. In order for a third-degree burn to heal, the destroyed tissue must be removed, and skin grafts must be performed. Third-degree burn symptoms include:

  • Deep white or red coloring
  • Destruction of the entire epidermis and the majority of the dermis
  • Minimal pain at time of the injury with increased pain during recovery
  • Color of area is unaffected when pressure is applied to the wound

Fourth-Degree Burns

Finally, fourth-degree burns are burn injuries that extend completely through the dermis and epidermis and affect the underlying nerve endings and muscle. When a person suffers a fourth-degree burn, he or she may experience less pain than a third-degree burn due to damage to the nerve endings. Additional damage resulting from fourth-degree burns may include the muscle tissue, hair follicles, sweat glands, and even bone. 

Contact Our Long Island & New York Burn Injury Lawyers

Finally, if you have suffered a burn injury in New York, you should contact an experienced burn injury lawyer as soon as possible. At Dell & Dean, PLLC, we are passionate about helping burn accident victims. Therefore, when you come to us for assistance, we will aggressively seek financial compensation on your behalf so you can take the steps necessary to recover from your injuries—both physically and financially. As seasoned litigators and experienced negotiators, we have what it takes to provide you with effective representative, regardless of the direction your case takes. Please contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced burn injury lawyer

Dell & Dean, PLLC, represents clients throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Garden City on Long Island, as well as the boroughs of New York: Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Manhattan, and the Bronx.

About the Author
Joseph G. Dell, the firm’s Managing Partner, is regarded as one of New York State’s top trial lawyers and a zealous advocate of those injured through the negligence of others. Having founded the firm in 1994 with the singular goal of leveling the playing field for those injured, Mr. Dell has worked tirelessly for his clients since its inception. In addition to meeting with clients on a daily basis and trying cases, Mr. Dell is a frequent lecturer at Law School and Bar Associations on cases of significant importance in the fields of negligence and medical malpractice. If you have any questions regarding this article, you can contact Mr. Dell here.