Burn injuries affect thousands of Americans each year, creating medical emergencies that require immediate attention and often long-term care. Medical professionals classify these injuries according to their severity and depth of tissue damage. The degrees of burn classification system helps doctors determine appropriate treatment while providing legal professionals with essential information for personal injury cases.
At Briggs Law Group, we have represented numerous clients who suffered burn injuries in workplace accidents, car crashes, defective product incidents, and other situations where negligence played a role. Each degree of burn injury presents unique challenges for both medical treatment and legal recovery. Our dedicated Charleston catastrophic injury attorneys are ready to help you fight for your rights.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in South Carolina
Before looking at each degree of burn injury, it helps to know how these injuries commonly occur. Burn accidents are not limited to fire alone. They can come from unexpected places, leaving victims in shock and pain. Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Hot liquids that spill during cooking or at restaurants
- Direct exposure to open flames in homes or workplaces
- Electrical accidents in construction zones or faulty wiring in rental units
- Harmful chemical exposure in factories or from unsafe cleaning products
- Radiation sources such as tanning beds or medical equipment
These causes are common across South Carolina, and many are preventable if property owners, employers, and manufacturers take the right steps to keep people safe.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of skin, known as the epidermis. These burns typically result from brief contact with hot surfaces, mild sun exposure, or scalding liquids at lower temperatures. The skin becomes red and painful but does not blister or break open.
Most first-degree burns heal within three to seven days without permanent scarring. However, when these injuries occur due to someone else’s negligence, victims may still face medical expenses and lost wages.
Treatment involves cool water application, over-the-counter pain medication, and moisturizing lotions. While these burns rarely require hospitalization, they can cover large body areas and cause significant discomfort, especially for elderly individuals or those with compromised immune systems.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns penetrate through the epidermis and into the dermis layer beneath. These injuries create the characteristic blisters and intense pain that distinguish them from first-degree burns. The different degrees of burns become more apparent at this level, as healing time extends significantly.
Medical professionals further divide second-degree burns into two categories. Superficial second-degree burns affect the upper portion of the dermis and typically heal within two to three weeks. Deep second-degree burns reach further into the dermis and may require skin grafts to heal properly.
Second-degree burns often occur in premises liability cases where property owners failed to maintain safe conditions. South Carolina premises liability law requires property owners to address known hazards that could cause serious injuries, such as burns.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns represent the most severe category in the traditional burn classification system. These injuries destroy both the epidermis and dermis completely, often extending into the subcutaneous tissue below. The burned area appears white, black, or brown and feels leathery to the touch.
Surprisingly, third-degree burns may cause less initial pain than second-degree burns because nerve endings suffer complete destruction. This numbness can mask the true severity of the injury, making immediate medical evaluation crucial.
Recovery from third-degree burns requires:
- Multiple surgical procedures, including skin grafts
- Extended hospitalization and wound care
- Physical therapy to maintain mobility
- Psychological counseling for trauma recovery
These injuries almost always result in permanent scarring and disability. In Charleston, we have seen third-degree burns from construction accidents, defective products, and workplace explosions. South Carolina’s code of laws on compensation provides benefits for employees who suffer these injuries on the job, but third-party liability claims may offer additional compensation.
Fourth-Degree Burns
Some medical professionals recognize fourth-degree burns as injuries extending beyond skin and subcutaneous tissue into muscle, bone, and other deep structures. These catastrophic injuries typically result from prolonged exposure to extreme heat, electrical accidents involving high voltage, or chemical burns from industrial materials.
Fourth-degree burns require immediate emergency surgery and often result in amputation of affected limbs. Survival rates depend on the percentage of body surface area affected and the victim’s overall health status. Even survivors face lifelong disability and require extensive ongoing medical care.
Legal Implications of Burn Injuries in South Carolina
The degree or type of burn injury directly impacts potential legal claims and compensation amounts. In South Carolina, victims can recover damages even if they bear partial responsibility for their injuries, as long as their fault does not exceed 50 percent.
Burn injury cases often involve multiple liable parties. Manufacturers of defective products, property owners who failed to maintain safe premises, employers who violated safety regulations, and drivers who caused accidents can all face liability for burn injuries.
Economic damages in burn cases include:
- Medical expenses for emergency treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation
- Lost wages during recovery periods
- Reduced earning capacity due to permanent disabilities
- Costs of ongoing care and adaptive equipment
Third and fourth-degree burns typically justify substantial non-economic damage awards due to their permanent and life-altering nature.
Medical Treatment and Recovery
Modern burn treatment has advanced significantly, improving survival rates and functional outcomes for severe injuries. Specialized burn centers provide comprehensive care, including wound management, infection prevention, nutritional support, and rehabilitation services.
Treatment protocols vary based on the degree of burn injury, total body surface area affected, and patient factors like age and overall health. First-degree burns may require only outpatient care, while extensive third-degree burns necessitate months of hospitalization.
Areas We Serve
Briggs Law Group represents burn injury victims throughout the Charleston metropolitan area and surrounding communities. We serve clients in zip codes including 29401, 29403, 29405, 29407, 29409, 29412, 29414, 29418, 29424, 29425, 29455, 29464, 29466, 29485, and 29492. Our knowledge of local hospitals, medical providers, and court systems helps us build strong cases for our clients.
Contact Us Today
Burn injuries range from minor first-degree burns that heal quickly to devastating fourth-degree injuries requiring lifelong care. Each degree of burn injury presents unique medical and legal challenges that require experienced professional guidance.
If you suffered burn injuries due to someone else’s negligence, contact Briggs Law Group for consultation. We will evaluate your case, explain your legal options, and fight for the compensation you deserve during this difficult time.