First, Second, and Third-Degree Burns: What Is the Difference?
Burn injuries are among the most painful and devastating forms of trauma a person can experience. Whether caused by fire or chemicals, these injuries can result in long-term physical suffering and significant financial strain. When a burn occurs because of someone else’s negligence, the recovery often includes a fight for fair compensation and accountability.
At Gama Law Firm LLC, we know how critical it is to identify the severity of a burn when pursuing legal action. Our experienced attorneys are here to guide you through the medical, legal, insurance, and even personal steps toward recovery. You don’t have to face this journey alone. Located in Denver, Colorado, our firm serves clients in Aurora, Parker, Centennial, and Castle Pines. If you've suffered a burn injury due to someone else's negligence, call us now to fight for justice and compensation.
Medical professionals classify burn injuries into three primary degrees—first, second, and third—each with its own level of damage, treatment, and implications for a personal injury claim. Understanding these distinctions is the first step toward securing the compensation they deserve.
The Basics of Burn Injury Classification
Burn injuries are categorized based on the depth of skin damage and the severity of the symptoms. These classifications serve not only as a medical guide for treatment but also play a pivotal role in determining the extent of damages in a personal injury lawsuit.
A first-degree burn, for example, may not warrant the same level of compensation as a third-degree burn, which often involves extensive medical treatment and permanent disfigurement.
Each year in the United States, approximately 1.4 million people sustain burn injuries, with 54,000 to 108,000 requiring hospitalization, according to the CDC. These figures underscore just how common—and serious—burn injuries can be, especially when someone else’s negligence is involved.
When we represent clients with burn injuries, we work closely with medical professionals to document the full scope of the damage. This collaboration makes sure that insurance adjusters, judges, and juries understand the lasting impact the injury has on our client’s life, both physically and financially.
First-Degree Burns
First-degree burns are the mildest form of thermal injury. These burns affect only the outer layer of skin—the epidermis. While they’re generally considered superficial, they can still cause significant discomfort and, in some cases, long-term consequences if improperly treated.
Common symptoms of first-degree burns include:
Redness
Mild swelling
Pain or tenderness to the touch
Dry, peeling skin during the healing process
Sunburn is one of the most recognizable types of first-degree burns, but it can also be the result of brief contact with hot surfaces or scalding liquids.
From a personal injury perspective, even a first-degree burn may be grounds for legal action if it occurs due to another party’s carelessness. We evaluate not just the injury itself, but also the context in which it occurred, because accountability matters at every level.
Second-Degree Burns
Second-degree burns penetrate deeper into the skin, reaching both the epidermis and the underlying dermis. These injuries are notably more painful than first-degree burns and often require medical intervention to prevent infection or scarring.
Signs of second-degree burns include:
Blistering
Deep redness or blotchiness
Severe pain
Wet or shiny appearance on the skin
Skin that may appear white in deeper areas
These burns can result from prolonged exposure to heat, boiling liquids, flames, or strong chemicals. The healing process may take weeks, and in some cases, skin grafts or surgical debridement are necessary.
We’ve seen second-degree burns affect every area of a client’s life—from lost wages due to time off work, to psychological trauma resulting from visible scarring.
In Colorado, when someone sustains a second-degree burn due to a defective product, workplace accident, or negligent behavior, we aggressively pursue compensation to account for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Third-Degree Burns
Third-degree burns are the most severe and damaging of the three primary classifications. These injuries destroy all layers of the skin and can even affect underlying muscles, tendons, and bones. In many cases, third-degree burns result in permanent tissue damage, disfigurement, and disability.
Unlike first- and second-degree burns, third-degree burns often cause:
A waxy or leathery texture
Blackened, white, or charred skin
Numbness due to destroyed nerve endings
Loss of function in the affected area
Because the nerve endings are burned away, victims may not initially feel pain, but the internal damage is extensive. Treatment often includes multiple surgeries, long-term rehabilitation, and mental health support for trauma.
We understand the overwhelming burden these injuries place on individuals and families. Third-degree burn cases often result in high-value personal injury claims due to the significant costs of treatment, long-term care, and diminished quality of life. We work relentlessly to hold the responsible parties accountable—whether it's an employer who failed to enforce safety standards, a landlord who ignored fire hazards, or a manufacturer of faulty heating equipment.
Burn Causes That Lead to Personal Injury Claims
Burn injuries occur in a variety of contexts, each with its own legal implications. When determining the viability of a personal injury claim, it’s important to look at not only the severity of the burn but also the cause. Certain environments and situations increase the likelihood of burn-related negligence.
The most common burn injury claims usually stem from:
Car and truck accidents involving fires or explosions
Defective consumer products (e.g., malfunctioning appliances or batteries)
Unsafe premises with exposed wires, open flames, or broken smoke alarms
Industrial or construction site accidents
Electrical burns caused by improper wiring or a lack of warning signs
Chemical exposure due to inadequate labeling or storage
Every case is unique. We investigate each incident thoroughly, gathering evidence, consulting experts, and building a compelling argument to verify that our clients are treated fairly. Personal injury law in Colorado allows victims to recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses, and we make it our mission to recover every dollar our clients deserve.
Legal Considerations for Burn Injuries in Colorado
Colorado personal injury law requires plaintiffs to prove that another party’s negligence caused their injuries. In burn cases, this involves establishing four key elements: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages. Seasoned advocates are equipped to work through each of these elements and present a case that reflects the true cost of our client’s suffering.
Burn injuries can trigger insurance disputes. Medical bills often exceed policy limits, and defendants may try to shift blame or minimize the severity of the injury. Experience in Colorado courtrooms has demonstrated how to counter these tactics with precision and authority.
Any reputable firm also helps clients understand the impact of Colorado’s comparative fault system. Under this rule, a plaintiff can still recover damages even if they’re partially at fault, as long as their share of the blame is less than 50%. They strategically manage every aspect of the case to minimize client liability and maximize compensation.
What Victims Can Recover in a Personal Injury Burn Case
Burn victims may be entitled to several types of damages, depending on the nature of the injury and how it has affected their lives. As a personal injury firm serving Colorado, we make sure our clients understand the full scope of what they’re owed, not just in terms of their current expenses, but also the long-term consequences they may face.
Compensation in burn injury claims may include:
Medical expenses (hospitalization, surgery, therapy, prescriptions)
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress and trauma
Disfigurement and loss of quality of life
Home modification and mobility aids
Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or intentional harm
We’ve seen how transformative fair compensation can be. It offers our clients not only a financial safety net but also a sense of justice. Holding the negligent party accountable sends a message that careless actions have consequences—and that victims have the right to heal and rebuild their lives.
Medical Documentation in Your Case and Why It Matters
One of the most critical aspects of a burn injury case is comprehensive medical documentation. We encourage our clients to seek immediate medical attention, even if the burn appears minor at first. Timely treatment not only protects their health but also strengthens their personal injury claim.
Medical records serve as powerful evidence. They verify the severity of the injury, outline the required treatment, and establish the prognosis for recovery. We also work with specialists who can testify to the long-term effects of burn trauma, including scarring, physical limitations, and emotional suffering.
In some cases, photographs of the burn over time can demonstrate the extent of the damage and the prolonged healing process. These visuals, combined with professional testimony, provide a compelling narrative that insurance adjusters and juries can’t ignore.
Reach Out to Us Today
Burn injuries can change lives in an instant, and no one should face that pain alone. At Gama Law Firm, LLC, we’re here to support and guide you every step of the way. We serve Colorado clients in Denver, Aurora, Parker, Centennial, and Castle Pines with compassion and dedication. If you or a loved one has been burned due to someone else's negligence, reach out today for a consultation—we’re ready to help you move forward.