Although the initial wounds are often painful, undergoing burn treatment can be excruciating for victims of burn injuries. The level and method of burn treatment vary slightly depending upon the type, severity, and extent of the burns. Third-degree burns (in which all layers of the skin are charred) are the most serious and require intensive burn treatment, while first degree burns, such as the common sunburn, do not need any specialized burn treatment, since first degree burns are self-healing.
Fluid Replacement
For serious burn injuries, fluid replacement is a crucial part of the initial burn treatment. During the first twenty-four hours following injury, large volumes of fluid are pumped into the burn victim to replace fluids lost mainly due to damaged blood vessels. Early burn treatment may also address any extensive swelling caused by fluids pooling in the skin surrounding the burn. Occasionally, cuts may be made into dead tissue to help relieve swelling there.
It generally takes a few days after the injury to determine the amount and extent of damage, and the corresponding burn treatment that will be required. In some cases, the skin is so badly damaged that a type of burn treatment known as debridement is necessary to remove the dead skin, preventing infection and providing clean tissue for skin grafts or re-growth. Recent advances in burn treatment have led to better results for patients who require skin grafts-artificial skin and other approaches have made it more likely for this type of burn treatment to succeed, where in the past, the body would often reject the graft.
Extensive Care
Most burn victims work with an extensive team of medical professionals, including doctors, surgeons, nursing staff, nutritionists, physical therapists, and mental health professionals, who together determine various aspects of the burn treatment. It is very important that the burn victim follow the instructions of the various members of the burn treatment team, performing the proper exercises as prescribed by the therapist, for example, will help the patient maintain a range of motion, reduce swelling, and encourage circulation.
Cost of Burn Treatment
Because burn treatment requires the attention of so many professionals, it can become costly in a very short time. In addition, many specific types of burn treatment are very expensive, requiring hospitalization, physical therapy, and long periods of recovery during which the patient is unable to work.
If the burn victim was not responsible for causing the burn injury, then the party at fault may be required to pay all costs associated with burn treatment and recovery, including hospital bills, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering, in addition to punitive damages. An attorney who works with burn victims may be able to help you gain reparations for burn treatment, and can discuss your potential case with you to determine whether or not it has merit.