Burn Treatment & Recovery

Medical Attention

The diagnosis of any burn injury is always dependent on how deep your injury is. There exists both short-term and long-term treatment for all burns. Included in all short-term treatment are antibiotics, bandages, escharectomies (surgical cuts), and compression garments. Antibiotics will protect you from any bacteria and/or viruses. Of the bandages most important functions, they will serve as a barrier for any possible infections. Escharectomies allows for the injured area to expand and decrease tension buildup. Once scar tissue starts to form on the skin, it is necessary to use compression garments to prevent the scar from growing apart from the originally affected area. In terms of long-term care, one will most likely have to be hospitalized. Your length of stay will be dependent on a number of things. In addition to exactly how serious your burn is, there may also be lung injuries that need to be contended with due to the possibility of smoke or chemical inhalation and whether or not there was a pre-existing condition, such as heart disease. The severity of the burn will also determine whether or not there needs to be removal of dead skin and replaced with skin grafts.

Future Fire Safety

Every year in the United States has more people dying of fires than of all other natural disasters combined. Here are some precautions that you can take in an effort to lower the risk of fires and fire-related injuries.

• Make sure that clothes or other fabrics are never placed over a lamp.
• Regularly check all household appliances and electrical cords.
• Keep any flammable items at least three feet away from heaters.
• Turn all pot handles inward while cooking.
• While cooking, it is best to remain within close proximity.
• Any electrical appliances need to be kept away from water and or/fire.
• Turn off any electrical items when not in use.
• Electrical outlets should never be over-used with an abundance of plugs.
• Flammable items/liquids used outdoors should be stored at least 300 ft. from your home.
• Test all your smoke alarms, making sure the batteries are working.
• Be proficient in the use of your fire extinguisher.

Your Legal Rights

In any case involving injury or death as the result of fires and/or burns, you should contact an attorney to find out whether or not a claim can be filed. Medical bills, loss of income, job retraining, and pain/suffering are all valid methods of compensation that can be pursued. You are entitled to have all past, present, and future medical bills paid. This includes: hospital stay, surgery, physical therapy, skin treatments, counseling, and vocational therapy. Never underestimate the importance of your legal rights when faced with injuries inflicted after a fire, contact Mark & Associates, P.C. today.