Aggressive Kansas City Burn Injury Attorneys

What types of incidents cause Missouri and Kansas burn fatalities and injuries?

According to FEMA, more than 92 percent of Missouri casualty fires involved structures (mostly residences) and 7.7 percent involved vehicles. Fires are a well-known risk for residences, commercial properties, and industrial sites. Federal laws such as OSHA regulations, and state and local building codes regulate how buildings should be constructed to reduce the risk of fires. At Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we handle all types of burn injury cases, including injuries from:

• Structural fires. Homes and businesses may ignite due to defective fire alarms, smoke detectors, appliances, heaters, flammable curtains, and other products. They may also ignite because a homeowner failed to monitor the pots on a stove, ovens, or grills. A cigarette or candle that isn’t extinguished properly can also easily cause a fire.
• Vehicle fires. Cars and trucks often ignite when there is an accident. A driver may be liable if they caused the accident. A parts manufacturer may also be liable if a fuel line or electrical component is defective.
• Defective products. Some products known to cause fires include flammable clothing, defective vaping devices, and batteries. As just mentioned, defective car and truck parts may cause fires as well. Product manufacturers may be strictly liable for any injuries they cause.
• Scalding liquids and steam. The steam and hot liquids from boiling water, hot water heaters, and radiators can cause severe burns.
• Toxic and hazardous chemicals. Anyone in a home or workplace may suffer chemical burns due to exposure to toxic household cleaners, lawn care products, or other cleaners.
• Construction and industrial sites often use dangerous chemicals that can cause burns when inhaled or contacted through the skin.
• Medical malpractice. Radiation burns may be caused by incompetent X-ray examinations or radiation therapy.

What are the degrees of burn injuries?

According to Stanford Children’s Health, burns are classified in one of the following four ways:

• First-degree burns. These superficial burns only affect the epidermis – the outer layer of the skin. Sunburn is a common first-degree burn. Long-term damage is rare with a first-degree burn.
• Second-degree (partial thickness) burns. These burns affect the epidermis and the dermis. The dermis is the lower skin layer. The skin will appear red and blistered. It is likely to be swollen and painful.
• Third-degree burns. These full-thickness burns destroy the epidermis and dermis. Third-degree burns may affect the subcutaneous tissue, the innermost skin layer. The site of the burn may appear white, blackened or charred.
• Fourth-degree burns. These burns go through all layers of the skin and underlying tissue as well as deeper tissue, and involve muscle and bone. Victims don’t experience pain because the nerve endings are destroyed.

Burn injury victims with second-degree burns may require surgery to treat or reduce the risk of infections. Patients with third-degree burns may require surgery, skin grafts, plastic surgery, and long-term rehabilitation. Fourth-degree burns are often fatal.

What are burn injury complications?

According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the complications from burn injuries include:

• Bacterial infections that can cause sepsis (a bloodstream infection)
• Loss of fluid including blood (hypovolemia)
• A dangerously low body temperature (hypothermia)
• Respiratory problems due to inhaling smoke or hot air
• “Scars or ridged areas caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue (keloids)”
• Problems of the joints or bones; for example, scar tissue damage can tighten and shorten the skin, muscles, or tendons (contractures)

Physicians should check for related injuries and complications with burn injury patients.