There are three main types of burns.
Thermal burns, which are the result of a body part coming into direct contact with flames. In personal injury claims, these are most commonly seen after a motor vehicle accident.
Chemical burns are most commonly associated with workplace accidents, mainly in manufacturing, mechanical, electrical, janitorial, and construction industries. Other chemical burns may be the result of a product, such as household cleaners.
Electrical burns are also mostly seen in the workplace; for example, when an electrical worker comes into direct contact with power lines. However, like chemical burns, electrical burns can also occur from coming into contact with a defective household product.
Burns are given a category that indicates their severity. The categories are:
First-degree burns: The mildest; only involve minor pain and some redness of the skin.
Second-degree burns: These burns cause blisters and destroy the top layer of the skin.
Third-degree burns: These go deeper into the skin and may destroy multiple layers of the skin, including the dermis and epidermis, which will cause scarring.
Fourth-degree burns: The most serious, these burns completely destroy the skin and also damage the muscle or bone underneath.