NY Accident Blog

How We Help New Yorkers:

Document Library

New York Burn Injury Complications

Burn injuries are painful and can require extensive medical treatment. If you have suffered a burn in New York from a defective product, work accident or other tragic event, you may be facing various surgical procedures and grafting, depending on the severity of your burn injury. As a burn injury victim, it is important to understand the complications that are associated with these injuries.

A burn can be caused by heat, cold, electricity, chemicals, light, friction or radiation. A serious New York burn injury can result in damage to the muscle, bone, epidermal tissue and blood vessels. Burns are classified into different categories based on severity, which are first-degree burns, second-degree burns, third-degree burns and fourth-degree burns. A fourth-degree burn is often fatal, but if the victim does survive, grafting is required.

When a burn is severe, it can cause life-threatening complications such as infection, shock, respiratory distress, acute gastrointestinal ulcers and electrolyte imbalance. Infection is a major problem associated with burn injuries and it is believed to be caused by impaired resistance and immune suppression. Following a burn, the remaining burn eschar creates an environment where there is a high risk of infection and toxin accumulation. Burn injuries are also susceptible to tetanus, which is a medical condition associated with a prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle fibers.

Acute gastrointestinal ulcers have been linked to burn injuries as a potential complication. These ulcers are small, circumscribed lesions within the stomach lining. Acute gastrointestinal ulcers can be identified through endoscopy and antacids and drugs that reduce the amount of acid secretion are usually recommended as treatment.

Electrolyte imbalance can cause post-burn seizures among children who are burn victims. Electrolytes are salts that conduct electricity and are essential for muscle coordination, heart function, nerve function and fluid absorption.

If you have suffered from a burn caused by negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact a New York burn injury lawyer at Rappaport, Glass, Greene & Levine for legal advice at (800) 734-9445.