Burning and Scarring Lawyer in Ponca City

As you may know, the skin is the largest organ in your body. The skin plays a crucial role in regulating your body temperature and serves as a living barrier that protects you from external threats. Since the skin is exposed to the outside world, it is more vulnerable to injury.

Burns are some of the most serious and painful injuries a person may sustain in their lifetime. When burns are severe enough, they can result in disfigurement, permanent scarring, and even disability.

If you suffered burn injuries because of someone else’s negligence in amotor vehicle accident, you should speak with a Ponca City burning and scarring lawyer at Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle & Wicker, to help you recover damages from the negligent party. If your burn injury was caused by a defective or faulty product or equipment, consult with aproduct liability attorney.

Types of Burns

Your doctor will determine the degree of your burn injury based on the depth of the burn and the amount of damaged skin. There are three different types (degrees) of burns.

• First degree burns are the least severe as they only affect the top layer of the skin. Typically, first-degree burns heal within a week and do not leave any scarring or signs of damage.
• Second-degree burns are more severe than first-degree burns as they affect the epidermis and part of the dermis layer of skin. When treated properly and in a timely manner, the healing process can take several months. Second-degree burns are painful and can cause soreness, blistering, and infection.
• Third-degree burns are the most serious type of burn injury as they often involve nerve damage and may lead to permanent scarring and disability. Treatment of third-degree burns may include surgeries. Often, victims are given intravenous (IV) antibiotics to prevent infection.

Second- and third-degree burns often result in permanent scarring, which can affect the quality of the victim’s life and their earning potential, among other negative consequences. If your burn injury and scarring resulted from someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation.

Burn Injuries and Scarring

Following a serious burn injury, a victim is likely to have permanent scarring. Other consequences of burn injuries are:

• Physical pain
• Emotional distress or trauma
• Sensitivity to temperature changes
• Organ damage
• Disfigurement

Burn injuries can result in the following types of scarring:

• Keloid scars come in the form of an overgrowth of scar tissue and appear red or pink in color.
• Contracture scars are a tightening of the skin, which can limit the mobility of nearby tendons and muscles. Contractures form when skin cells produce a fibrous connective tissue made up of a protein called collagen.
• Hypertrophic scars come in the form of raised and thick scars that feel warm to the touch. They are red or purple in color.

Fact: Whilenearly 97% of those treated in burn centers survive, many of them sustain permanent scarring, life-long physical disabilities, and adjustment difficulties, according to the American Burn Association.

Since burn injuries cause healthy skin cells to die, damaged areas of your skin produce collagen to repair themselves. As the skin heals, scarring is likely to occur in the form of discolored and thickened areas. While most minor scars fade over time, severe scarring caused by burns can last a lifetime.

If you suffered a burn injury and scarring, you should get medical attention right away. Then, after you document your injury, it is advised to contact askilled personal injury attorney in Ponca City to help you pursue compensation for your scars, disfigurement, and other consequences of burn injuries. Call at 580-765-9660 for a consultation.