Burn Classifications Scalding Injuries Facial Burns Other Common Burn Types

$3.9 Million recovered for a high-tech worker who suffered burn injuries when a glass bottle holding acid broke.

$3.25 Million for two children burned when a smoke detector failed.

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California Burn Victim Attorneys

Burn Types and Classifications

Most burn cases are preventable, although the cause of a burn injury can vary widely. Almost every type of burn results in some extent of injury or damage to the body. Many of these treatments can be very expensive and painful. If you or a loved one has been injured by any type of preventable burn, please contact GJEL today for a free consultation with a Northern California burn injury lawyer.

The most common type of burn is a flame burn. A flame burn occurs when fire comes in contact with the victim's skin. These kinds of burns can be particularly dangerous and damaging to the victim's body, especially if the fire spreads to the person's clothing or hair. Flame burns can go from small to very serious in a matter of seconds, depending on how easy it is to put out the fire, or how flammable a certain material is that may surround the victim.

Other types of burns include:

Contact Burns - When any hot object comes into contact with the skin. This is most commonly caused by a metallic object, but it can happen from anything.

Scalding - This is a common type of Contact Burn, caused by a hot liquid coming into contact with the skin.

Flash Burns - When a gas or flammable liquid catches on fire. A Flash Burn can be a very fast and intense exposure to heat, often occurring in faulty vehicles, industrial buildings and construction sites.

Chemical Burns - Burns inflicted from steam, beverages or chemicals, commonly caused steaming appliances or unsafe chemicals.

Electrical Burns - Electrical outlets or live, unprotected wiring can cause burns to the area of contact as well as other parts of the body.

Ultraviolet Burns - Resulting from tanning beds or prolonged sun exposure.

Inhalation Injury - Caused by inhaling hot fumes or smoke during a fire.

Burns are classified into three different categories, depending on the severity of damage to the skin.

First Degree Burns - Damage only the outer layer (or epidermis) of skin.

Second Degree Burns - Damage the epidermis and dermis (the layer immediately beneath the epidermis).

Third Degree Burns - Damage or destruction to all the layers of the skin and possibly the underlying tissues.

Burns are very serious and very common. Most of them are also preventable, but negligence can cause severe accidents. Burn injuries can have lifetime altering effects on a victim. If you or a loved one has been injured in a burn incident, please call the law office of Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis and Larsen for your free consultation.