People may suffer severe burn injuries from various sources such as flames, scalding liquids, electrical current, radiation, and industrial chemicals. These injuries often lead to intense pain and disfiguring scars, while some victims who inhale smoke may experience severe breathing problems. For many burn injury survivors, the recovery process may involve extended stays in hospitals or specialized burn treatment centers, multiple surgeries, and significant time away from work or school.

At David Blackwell Law, our dedicated team of legal professionals in Lancaster is experienced in helping burn injury victims pursue compensation when their injuries are caused by someone else’s negligence. As a trusted Lancaster burn injury lawyer, we focus on representing our clients with integrity and work diligently to make our community a safer place. If another party was responsible for your burn injury, you should not bear the financial burden of your medical bills alone.

We offer reassurance to our clients, providing guidance on the road to recovery after a serious burn injury. Our firm represents burn injury patients and their families across Lancaster and South Carolina. If you have a legitimate burn injury claim, our burn injury attorney will fight for your rights, ensuring you receive the care you deserve, regardless of the cost to us. Reach out to us for a free consultation to discuss your case with a skilled Lancaster burn injury lawyer. Contact David Blackwell to learn more about how we can assist you.

We serve clients across South Carolina, including Indian Land, Fort Mill, and Rock Hill.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can occur in many different ways. They can result from open flames, scalding liquids, smoke inhalation, electrical shocks, or defective products like e-cigarette explosions, all of which can cause serious harm.

Thermal burns are the most common type. Injuries caused by contact with open flames represent a sizable portion of burn injuries to adults. A car may explode into flames after a crash. Scalding liquids such as boiling water and hot beverages may produce thermal burns. A young child may pull a pot or kettle of boiling liquid off a stove. Scalds, in fact, are the leading cause of burn injuries to young children and elderly adults.

Certain chemicals such as strong acids and bases can cause caustic burns if they come into direct contact with the eyes or skin. An industrial accident or workplace accident may involve a chemical burn. Common products associated with chemical burns include ammonia, car battery acid, pool chlorination chemicals and bleach. The symptoms of a chemical burn will depend on the strength of the chemical and amount of time the chemical remained in contact with the skin. A severe chemical burn may cause infection, tissue damage, scarring, disfigurement, and limb loss and require specialized treatment at a burn center hospital.

Electrical burns are caused by electricity passing through the body. These burns may occur from contact with household electricity, broken wiring, exposed parts of electrical appliances, ungrounded power tools, high voltage power lines, stun guns or lightning. If the electrical current passes along the skin surface, it can cause extensive second-degree burns. Even if the electrical burn wound appears small, you should seek a medical examination. An electrical burn may cause extensive damage to internal tissue and organs, even though it appears minor on the skin surface. Certain types of jobs such as those of utility workers and electricians involve workplace exposure to electrical current.

Radiation burns cause damage to the skin. The most common type of radiation burn is sunburn. Tanning booths and sun lamps can cause radiation burn. Prolonged exposure to x-rays during medical tests can result in radiation burns. Radiation treatment for cancer may cause burns, resulting in blisters or ulcers.

How Severe Is Your Burn Injury?

degrees of burn injuriesDoctors categorize the severity of a burn injury based on the extent of damage to the skin and underlying tissue. The more extensive the damage to the body and the deeper the damage, the more severe the burn.

A severe burn is a burn that covers more than a quarter of the body’s surface or a burn affecting the eyes, face, hands, feet, or genital area, according to the American Burn Association.

  • First-Degree Burns — First-degree burns can cause pain, swelling, and reddening of the outer layer of skin. But they generally do not cause lasting damage. Sunburn is a common first-degree burn. Drinking extra water when sunburned can help keep you from getting dehydrated. First-degree burns generally can be treated with home first aid by immersing the burn in cool tap water, then covering it with petroleum jelly and covering with a sterile bandage.
  • Second-Degree Burns — Second-degree burns penetrate deeper and cause damage to the under layer of skin —the dermis—as well as the outer skin layer—the epidermis. They cause blistering and wet skin. They are known as partial thickness burns. Deeper second-degree burns appear white and can leave scars. If you suffer a second-degree burn to the face, hands, feet, groin, or around a joint, immediate medical treatment is needed. Doctors will treat it as a major burn. A patient with second-degree burns covering more than 20 percent of the body may be referred to a burn unit for specialized treatment.
  • Third-Degree Burns — Third-degree burns, which are known as full-thickness burns, damage all the layers of skin and the deeper tissue beneath the skin. Third-degree burns can be life-threatening and are a medical emergency. The skin area damaged by a third-degree burn may appear leathery and dry and be discolored. The victim may not feel pain because of the destruction of nerve endings. Patients with third-degree burns will require extensive medical treatment, often including skin grafts. A patient with third-degree burns covering more than 5 percent of the body may be referred to a burn unit for specialized treatment.

Most patients treated at burn centers survive. However, many survivors will have serious scarring and lifelong disabilities and will need all the financial support possible.