Accidents are bound to happen to anyone. Some accidents result in severe burn injuries.

Burns are a type of injury that causes death or damage to the skin or body cells and can happen in numerous situations. A burn injury can leave a person with permanent disfigurement, physical pain, and mounting bills.

If you’re in a similar situation, do not face the aftermath of a burn injury alone. Contact burn injury lawyers to guide you every step of the way.

This article will talk about the various accidents that can lead to burn injuries. 

But first, let’s talk about the degrees of burn injuries that a person might sustain.

  • First-degree burns: This type of burn only affects the outer layer of your skin, which is the epidermis.
  • Second-degree burns: This burn extends beyond the outer layer of your skin; it reaches the second layer called the dermis. The burnt area may appear wet due to fluid leakage.
  • Third-degree burns: These burns affect all the skin layers and can even extend into the underlying tissues. They cause scarring and often require intense medical treatment.
  • Fourth-degree burns: This is the most severe. It extends through your skin and the subcutaneous tissues into the bone and muscle. This type of burn is life-threatening and needs immediate medical treatment.

Types Of Accidents With High Chances Of Burn Injuries

Below are some types of accidents that can leave you with severe burn injuries.

Workplace Fire Accident

Every workplace owes its staff a safe workspace, yet numerous fire outbreaks occur every year. While you can’t prevent some outbreaks from happening, some happen as a result of someone’s negligence.

For example, the owner of the building may have failed to install a sprinkler system.

Also, they may have failed to inspect the heating systems regularly. In some cases, an electrician may have installed wiring wrongly, resulting in a fire outbreak.

All this increases the chances of a fire accident and a burn injury at the workplace.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

A severe car accident can result in a devastating burn injury. In the worst-case scenario, the vehicle might explode, which can be life-threatening.

If any part of your body should come in contact with any hot metal in your car or the steam escaping from a bad radiator, it can result in a severe burn.

Construction Site Accident

Construction workers face a higher risk of burns due to the following reasons:

  • Live electrical wires
  • Dangerous welding practices
  • Fires
  • Pressurized steam
  • Explosions
  • Chemical exposure from alkalis, strong acids, and harsh chemicals

Supervisors should take sufficient precaution to ensure safety regulations are being followed and that any reported instance of hazard in the site is rectified as soon as possible.

Spilling Hot Liquids

Hot liquids can cause severe burns. Many people suffer from third-degree burns when they are exposed to liquids with a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The “McDonalds Hot Coffee Case” is a perfect example. 

Their policy was to sell their coffee at 190 degrees Fahrenheit, and a woman suffered severe burns from it. The burns she sustained were so severe that she had to receive reconstructive surgery.