When one thinks of burn injuries, they usually visualize burn scars and injuries on the surface of the skin. However, certain accidents can cause burns that remain hidden under the skin and can be as serious as the ones you see on the outside. These hidden burns often happen from chemical exposure, electrical shocks, or hot liquids.
In a lot of cases, you may not even see the injuries on your skin for days or weeks. If you were injured in an accident and have suffered from non-visible burn injuries, it might be a challenge for you to get compensation. This is because proving and diagnosing these burn injuries can be particularly tricky.
Doctors may use imaging and other tests to find these internal injuries, but even these methods do not always show clear evidence. To ensure you get fair compensation, click here to talk to an attorney today.
Types and causes of non-visible burn injuries
Internal burns.
An internal burn injury can occur when you inhale smoke, and it impacts your internal tissues. Smoke inhalation can lead to thermal or chemical injury in your respiratory tract. The symptoms of an internal burn injury often take several days to show up. When you inhale toxic chemicals, these chemicals can damage your internal organs, such as the lungs, kidneys, and liver.
Chemical burns.
Chemical burns may occur beneath your skin surface and may severely affect your internal organs and deeper layers of tissue. These injuries occur when corrosive substances come into contact with your skin or get absorbed into your body.
The symptoms of chemical burn injuries are delayed. Therefore, in such an event, make sure to document the accident and note the chemical’s properties accurately.
Radiation and electrical burns.
Radiation and electric burns can also damage your skin. Radiation from sources like medical treatment and environmental exposure can damage your skin cells, which may not be immediately apparent. Similarly, electrical burns can result in significant nerve or organ damage without any external sign.
Proving such injuries requires reports from medical professionals and expert testimony. Therefore, getting help and gathering medical reports is very important.
Legal challenges in proving non-visible burn injuries
Difficulty in showing physical evidence
The symptoms of non-visible burn injuries are not always obvious. For example, these injuries can cause internal damage to your skin, which may be difficult to prove. You may also find it difficult to document such injuries as traditional medical examinations do not reveal the underlying damage.
Reliance on expert testimony.
Many people depend on expert testimony from doctors and specialists to prove their internal injuries. These experts will check your injuries and provide a detailed report. These reports can help you determine the nature of the injury and how it is caused and support your claim.
Medical experts use advanced machines such as MRI or CT scans to find injuries that are not visible to the naked eye. However, you must make sure that the expert is trusted and reliable, as ineffective testimony can make your case weak.
Doubts from insurance adjusters and juries.
Since burn injuries are not often visible, it can be difficult to deal with insurance companies and juries. Insurance companies might not believe your claims if you do not provide any clear signs of injury. This can result in lower offers or even rejection of the claim.
Proving causation.
It may be difficult to prove that the accident directly resulted in your non-visible burn injury. You must show a clear chain of events and link the accident with your injuries. This can be especially difficult when the injuries have delayed symptoms or when multiple factors have contributed to its development.
Prove your burn injuries today!
If you have been in an accident caused by another party and are having a hard time proving your internal burn injuries, contact an attorney to know your options today!
