Tips in The Case of Chemical Burn

cartwrightlaw - December 20, 2021 -

Chemical burns are injuries caused by a corrosive substance coming into contact with the skin, mouth, eyes, or internal organs of the victim. All chemical burns are serious personal injuries that must receive immediate treatment before causing long-term complications.

Chemical burns can occur anywhere, including at home, at work, or at school. They can be the result of an accident or deliberate action in an assault. For those that happen at home, they are usually accidental by misuse of things such as hair, skin, and nail care products.

Chemical burns in the workplace tend to be accidental as well but usually in the victim not following proper protocols for handling chemicals. Chemical burns at schools tend to be at laboratory accidents or from cleaning chemicals negligently used by cleaning personnel.

Types of Chemical Burns

Like other burns, chemical burns are classified according to the amount of damage done to the victim’s body:

1. Superficial or first-degree burns only affect the outer layer of skin, known as the epidermis. The burn will leave the affected area red and painful, but there is usually no permanent damage caused by the chemical burn.

2. Partial-thickness or second-degree burns extend into the second layer of skin known as the dermis. The victim may have blisters and swelling, and the burn may leave scars.

3. Full-thickness or third-degree is the most serious burns that go through the skin and may damage the tissue underneath the victim’s body. The burned area may turn black or white. The victim may not feel pain because the nerves are destroyed, leaving them with no sense of feeling at all.

What To Do in the Case of Chemical Burn

You should immediately call 911 if you have suffered burns that cause a severe physical injury or if you have any shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or other symptoms.

If you are helping an injured person who has these symptoms, have them stay still and immediately call 911.

First aid

Remove yourself or the burn victim from the accident area.
Remove any clothes that may be contaminated.
Thoroughly wash the injured area to dilute or completely remove the substance, using a large amount of water. Make sure you wash for at least 20 minutes, taking care not to let runoff water contact the unaffected parts of your body.
Pay special attention to the eyes and wash away any chemicals in your eye or the victim’s eye. The best way to do this is to get in the shower and let large amounts of water rinse through your eyes.
Gently and carefully brush away any solid materials from the affected area, making sure not to allow any of that material to reach or touch the unaffected parts of the body.

Medical Treatment

Once you have called 911 and done your first aid, emergency personnel should reach you and take further action or do as you are told by the 911 operator.

Speak with a San Francisco Chemical Burn Injury Attorney

If you have questions about chemical burns and what legal rights you might have, contact our office for a free review of your circumstances. At The Cartwright Law Firm, Inc., we have helped chemical burn victims recover from their losses.