Burn Injuries

There are many types of burn injuries you can be afflicted with which can range from electrical burns, thermal burns, chemical burns, burns from hot liquids, and radiation burns. If you’ve been afflicted by any of these, then a burn injury lawyer, like a burn injury lawyer in Las Vegas, NV, can handle your personal injury case. What should you do directly after a basic, non-chemical first-degree burn, though?

Steps for Treating a Burn Injury

1. Stop the Burn: The first thing you’ll want to do is to cool the burn by holding it under running water or immersing it in cool water until the pain ceases. That said, the skin could still be undergoing the process of “burning” even after the physical pain has gone away, so you’ll want to leave the affected area in cool water for several minutes afterward. If a source of running water isn’t available, you can use a wet compress as well.
2. Protect the Burn from Infection: Once the burning has ceased, cover the affected area with a clean, non-adhesive bandage or cloth. Just don’t apply any kind of lotion, butter, oil, or cream beforehand; only use petroleum-based ointments. Also, if you do have a more serious burn as a result of someone else’s negligence, make sure you take a photo of the burn before covering it, as you will want photo evidence for your burn injury lawyer before the healing process begins.
3. Treat the Ongoing Pain: Of course, you’ll have treated the immediate pain, but there will be ongoing pain that will continue to return in the days to come. You can use over the counter painkillers like Advil and Tylenol, or any doctor-prescribed medication. From this point just make sure you change the bandage and clean the wound often.

See a Doctor

In the meantime, you’ll know if your burn injury is serious enough that you’ll need to see a doctor if you experience changes in the injury like any gradual swelling in the affected area or an increase in the pain from the wound. Also, see a doctor immediately if sensitive areas like the feet, face, hands, and personal areas are burned.

Lastly, if your burn is a serious injury caused by someone else’s negligence, make sure you see a doctor, record your visits, take photos of the wound, and keep records and receipts of all your medicine purchases and prescriptions. Recording and keeping this information will make the process easier for your burn injury lawyer to develop a strong case that will work in your favor.

Thanks to Eric Roy Law Firm for their insight into what to do following a burn injury.