If you sustain a burn in an accident, you may notice some of the more immediate symptoms that are associated with this type of injury. The burn site may begin blistering that ends up leaking fluid. There may be significant pain, but burns can also be painless as well. The area may start to swell. You may be in shock and have pale, clammy skin and feel weak. You may also experience a decrease in alertness. Yes, this can all be a lot to experience after sustaining a burn injury, but it can feel minor when compared to the continuing risks victims of severe burns can face down the road.
Should you pursue a personal injury claim seeking compensation for the harm you have suffered as a result of an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you will be entitled to make a damages claim that includes the future harm you will suffer as a result of your injuries, such as medical expenses for continuous treatment. It is important to understand this as some injuries, such as severe burns, can have extensive consequences on a person’s health and well being far into the future. To account for all of this, it is important to understand what severe burn injury victims may be up against as they look to the future.
The Continuing Risks of Severe Burn Injuries
Unfortunately, there is a wide range of secondary pathologies associated with severe burn injuries. In other words, there are a number of serious medical conditions that a severe burn injury victim seems at an increased risk of developing. In fact, there are a number of experts that are advocating for a burn injury to be classified as a chronic disease. The disturbance a severe burn can cause to the body as a whole seems to increase the risk factor of the victim developing serious medical conditions such as:
- All types of cancer
- Infectious disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Circulatory system disease
- Diabetes
- Musculoskeletal disease
- Conditions impacting the nervous system
- Hypermetabolism leading to loss of muscle mass and bone density
Severe burn injury victims can also struggle with mental health disorders such as:
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- Depression
In addition to the increased risk of developing these serious medical conditions, severe burn injury victims also commonly have to deal with lasting complications with the burns themselves. This is due, in large part, to how the burn heals. You see scarring from burn injuries can cause serious problems for the burn victim. Hypertrophic scars, for instance, are the raised skin that can form around the original burn. Not only can hypertrophic scars impact the victim’s functional abilities, but they can also have a devastating impact on the victim’s body image and, in turn, their mental health.
Contractures are another common complication of burns healing. A contracture is when the burn scar matures and thickens. As it does so, it can tighten the skin in the area and be very constricting, placing a big limit on the victim’s ability to move. This is especially true when the contracture develops over a joint area.
Personal Injury Attorney
Trust your personal injury claim with the team that will look not only at how the accident has impacted your current life, but how it may impact your future as well. The dedicated personal injury team at BoyesLegal, APC will fight for you. Contact us today.