Burn Injury Claims Resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Rig Explosion

Burns are some of the most painful injuries that you can sustain. These types of injuries are often deadly and when they don’t prove fatal, they may require extensive treatment and a prolonged hospital stay.

If you have suffered a burn injury from the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion, there are some things you need to know about your legal rights. However, first you need to understand more about your condition.

Various Degrees of Burns
Burns are classified into various categories, depending on the severity. First-degree burns are the least serious and only impact the first layer of skin, known as the epidermis. Second-degree burns affect the epidermis and second layer of skin, which is referred to as the dermis. Third-degree burns damage even more, as they destroy the first two layers of skin, including the underlying tissue. Unfortunately, third-degree burns are sometimes deadly.

Possible Complications
When you are severely burned, there are a lot of risks that you face. Burns can damage internal organs and nerves. These injuries can lead to shock and may necessitate a blood transfusion. Burns frequently cause major scars and disfigurement, which can lead to emotional problems, as well.

Burn Treatment
First and second-degree burns tend to heal on their own and surgery is typically not required. However, a treatment, known as skin grafting, is usually needed in cases of third-degree burns. It is a procedure in which skin or a skin substitute is placed over a burn. The goal of the surgery is to permanently replace damaged skin or skin that is missing.

Other treatments associated with burns include physical therapy, ongoing wound management and reconstructive surgery.

Rights of Deepwater Rig Workers
If you were injured in the Gulf of Mexico rig explosion, you need to understand that you may be able to recover compensation under federal maritime law. This compensation could include damages for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, mental anguish and more.

For more information regarding your rights and to get answers to your questions, contact a Board Certified maritime lawyer at the Law Offices of Vujasinovic & Beckcom P.L.L.C. at 877.724.7800. You can also fill out our contact form.