Scars

Scars may occur when the dermis, the layer of skin immediately below the outer layer, suffers tissue damage. Such tissue damage may be caused by burns and other wounds. When you think about it, results of car wrecks will always have some sort of scarring, whether it be physical, emotional, psychological.

The skin consists of three layers, the epidermis, dermis, and the fat layer. The epidermis is an extremely thin top layer that we most associate with the term "skin." The dermis is immediately below the epidermis and is home to hair follicles, sweat glands, and small blood carrying capillaries. The bottom fat layer contains just that, along with blood vessels and nerves. The skin is responsible for regulating the body's temperature, sensing stimuli, preventing substances from entering the body, and acting as a protective shield from the sun's harmful effects.

A burn is an injury to tissue that can be caused by heat, chemicals or electricity. While burns most often affect the skin, deeper burns can injure tissue well below the skin's surface. In addition, internal burns may occur to the esophagus and stomach when extremely hot liquids are ingested and to the lungs when hot air is inhaled during a fire.

Minor burns, known as first degree burns, are the most common, accounting for approximately 85% of all burns. Second and third degree burns involve progressively deeper tissue damage and carry with them more serious health consequences including, but not limited to, infection, shock and scarring.

The location of the burn also impacts on its severity. For instance, burns to the face, genitals, hands and feet typically require hospitalization. Treating the most severe burns may involve the use of a hyperbaric chamber, a device which nourishes the wounds with pressurized oxygen. Burn victims may also require intubation, a procedure in which an emergency physician or other medical professional inserts a tube into the throat in order to assist breathing. Other commonly used burn treatment procedures include skin grafts and antibiotic therapy (both of which help guard against infection) and fluid replenishment.

If you or a family member has been injured, abused or otherwise harmed, you should contact one of our California attorneys who can help you protect your legal rights. Please keep in mind that there may be time limits within which you must commence suit.

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