Burn injuries caused by chemicals and lasers can be incredibly damaging to your skin, eyes, and other soft tissue, and have lasting effects on your life and wellbeing. Pope & Howard, P.C., a top personal injury law firm based in Atlanta, Georgia, has tried numerous cases where chemical and laser burns harmed a client, and can help get you just compensation for your injuries.
First, it’s important to understand the distinction between chemical and laser burns and other types of burns:
Chemical burns occur when the skin is exposed to corrosive substances in the form of acids, bases or alkali, and hydrocarbons. They are usually the result of the use of defective product(s), workplace accidents, motor vehicle accidents, tattoo removal, skin treatments, or medical malpractice.
Chemicals that burn the skin usually do a significant amount of damage due to the fact that chemicals stick to the skin and must be neutralized in order to stop the chemical reaction causing the burn.
If you experience a chemical burn, take action right away:
Due to the time it takes to effectively clean a chemical burn area, these burns can quickly become very serious, so make sure to call 911 or go immediately to a doctor if you think you have a chemical burn.
Laser burns are more commonly the result of negligence during a cosmetic hair removal procedure or other beautifying treatment. These burns occur when the laser is too hot or a higher setting is used on a patient with darker skin.
Individuals with darker skin tones are at an increased risk for laser burns because of the higher levels of melanin in their skin. Melanin absorbs the heat from the laser and stores it. A similar problem occurs when a patient has a tattoo near the area being treated; the dark ink stores the heat in the same way melanin does, increasing the risk of burns.
Burns, regardless of what has caused them, are categorized into four categories, called degrees, based on the amount of damage the burn has caused:
1st Degree Burns: These are the mildest form of burns and generally result in skin redness and stinging, with peeling occurring a few days later. Sunburns are a good example of a 1st degree burn.
2nd Degree Burns: The damage from these burns extends below the top layer of skin, causing the skin to turn red and blister. Some blisters will pop or scab over. Skin grafts are sometimes necessary with these types of burns.
3rd Degree Burns: These burns damage every layer of skin and may not be painful because of resulting nerve damage. Depending on what has caused the burn, the site can appear waxy and white, charred, dark brown, raised and leathery, or have blisters that don’t develop. Do not attempt to self-treat these burns; lift the burned area above your heart, and call 911. In many cases these burns require surgery.
4th Degree Burns: The most dangerous form of burns, fourth degree burns extend through all levels of the skin into the muscle, causing muscle damage and tissue necrosis (death). If not treated properly, these burns can be life threatening.
If you or a loved one has experienced a burn caused by a laser or chemical — regardless of the situation that caused it — you could receive compensation for your pain and suffering, cost of medical care, or lost wages. Contact the team at Pope and Howard in Atlanta today. Call (404) 885-9999 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a free consultation.