New Mexico Burn Injury Attorneys

Types of Burn Injuries & Their Impacts

Burn injuries are classified into several categories based on their severity: first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, and fourth-degree burns. Each type affects varying depths of the skin's layers.

1. First-degree burns are the most superficial injuries, impacting only the outermost layer of the skin, known as the epidermis. These burns often manifest as redness, minor swelling, and pain at the affected site but usually do not result in long-term tissue damage. Healing from a first-degree burn typically takes about a week and can be managed with at-home treatments like cold compresses and over-the-counter pain relievers.
2. Second-degree burns go deeper, affecting the epidermis and the upper part of the dermis layer. They present as blisters and severe redness and can cause increased pain. These burns can lead to scarring and may require more specialized medical attention to prevent infection and assist in the healing process. Recovery time can extend from two to three weeks, and scar management techniques may be needed to minimize long-term impacts.
3. Third-degree burns are severe injuries that penetrate the entire thickness of the skin, destroying both the epidermis and dermis and sometimes affecting underlying tissues like fat, muscle, and bone. These burns often result in a white or charred appearance and can lead to a loss of sensation due to nerve damage. Healing from third-degree burns often necessitates surgical interventions, such as skin grafting, and can require extended periods of rehabilitation. The physical and cosmetic consequences can be permanent, necessitating ongoing treatment and therapy.
4. Fourth-degree burns are the most extreme, affecting not only all layers of the skin but also underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. They are life-threatening and always require emergency medical care. Recovery is a long, arduous process that typically involves multiple surgeries and can result in lasting disability. The risk of complications, such as infections, blood loss, and shock, is high, making immediate and comprehensive medical care imperative.

Balance during this arduous recovery journey is essential. Physical therapy, pain management strategies, and psychological counseling are often recommended components of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan post-burn injury. Engaging in support groups or speaking with others who have gone through similar experiences can provide emotional support and practical advice.

No matter the severity of your burn injuries, you should not have to worry about how you will cover medical treatments or lost wages from missed work if the injury was work-related or caused by negligence. Our New Mexico burn injury attorneys can investigate what happened and advise you of your legal options.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries in New Mexico

Burn injuries are often the result of negligence. When another individual or organization’s negligence causes burn injuries, you can claim a personal injury against the negligent party and seek damages. Workers in specific industries also take on an increased risk of burn injuries. If you sustain burn injuries at work, you can likely file a workers' compensation claim.

In residential settings, common causes include kitchen fires, electrical fires, and improper use of household products. Many homes are filled with potential fire hazards, so residents must practice fire safety and maintain functional smoke detectors. In addition to fire-related injuries, chemical burns can occur from cleaning agents, leading to severe skin and eye injuries. Awareness and safe handling of these substances are essential.

Our New Mexico burn injury lawyers are prepared to fight for you in cases involving: 

• Motor vehicle accidents. Vehicular accidents involving cars, trucks, or motorcycles can all lead to someone sustaining burn injuries during a collision or its aftermath. Victims may sustain burns through direct contact with flames resulting from a vehicle catching fire after an impact. Such fires can be triggered by a rupture in the fuel system or electrical malfunctions, leading to an immediate and intense heat source. Additionally, vehicular accidents can cause burns through hot surfaces or liquids. For instance, victims can come into contact with scalding engine fluids, steaming radiators, or heated metal from the car's structure. These substances and surfaces can reach incredibly high temperatures during operation and, upon impact, may breach the passenger compartment or become exposed to the skin. Chemical burns are another risk associated with motor vehicle accidents. Vehicles contain various chemicals like battery acid, coolants, and airbag propellants that can be harmful upon contact. In the chaos of a crash, these substances can be released and cause skin injuries that require specialized medical treatment.
• Oil field accidents. Oil field workers are at an exceptionally high risk of burn injuries due to the presence of flammable substances and the heavy industrial equipment used in extraction operations. One of the primary causes of burn injuries in oil fields is explosions and fires. These catastrophic events can occur from a spark or high heat igniting flammable vapors during drilling, transporting, or processing oil and gas. The high intensity of such a fire can cause devastating thermal burns to nearby workers. Another hazard that can lead to burns is the mishandling of or malfunction in the operation of machinery and equipment. For example, contact with hot surfaces, such as drilling equipment and engines, can result in severe second or third-degree burns. Additionally, the highly pressurized systems used in oil extraction have the potential to rupture, releasing hot oil or steam, which can cause scalding burns. Chemical burns are also a concern in oil fields, where workers are routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals that can injure the skin upon contact. These substances are often corrosive and can cause burns quickly, necessitating immediate decontamination and medical treatment to mitigate skin damage.
• Other workplace accidents. Numerous other types of workplaces can pose heightened risks for burn injuries. Restaurants and commercial kitchens are rife with potential hazards, including hot stoves, ovens, deep fryers, and boiling liquids that can cause severe thermal burns. Chefs, cooks, and kitchen staff work in close quarters with these risks throughout their shifts, and equipment malfunctions, third-party negligence, or even a momentary lapse in attention can result in harmful accidents. Industrial and manufacturing settings are other high-risk zones for burns. Employees in these sectors often handle molten materials, operate heavy machinery, and work with electrical and chemical processes that, if improperly managed or equipment malfunctions, can lead to thermal, chemical, or electrical burns. For example, workers may be exposed to extremely high temperatures that can easily cause severe burns upon contact in metalworking or plastic manufacturing. Construction sites also present multiple burn risks stemming from tasks like welding, tar and hot asphalt use, and the potential for electrical accidents.
• Product defects. Product defects are a significant cause of burn injuries in everyday settings. Defective products can cause burns due to faulty electrical wiring, inadequate materials, poor manufacturing standards, or failures in design that lead to overheating explosions or fires. Items such as hairdryers, toasters, or battery chargers can malfunction if their wiring is substandard, improperly insulated, or the electrical components are of poor quality, leading to overheating that can burn users or spark fires. Overheating is especially dangerous in the case of devices with lithium-ion batteries, like smartphones and laptops, where thermal runaway can cause the battery to explode and result in severe burns. Timely product recalls, and consumer awareness about defective products are vital in preventing these incidents from occurring.