Chemical Burns
A chemical burn occurs when living tissue is exposed to a corrosive substance such as a strong acid or base. Chemical burns follow standard burn classification and may cause extensive tissue damage. The main types of irritant and/or corrosive products are: acids, bases, oxidizers, solvents, reducing agents and alkylants.
Chemical burns may:
- need no source of heat,
- occur immediately on contact,
- be extremely painful, or
- not be immediately evident or noticeable
The exact symptoms of a chemical burn depend on the chemical involved. Symptoms include itching, bleaching or darkening of skin, burning sensations, trouble breathing, coughing blood and/or tissue necrosis.
Common sources of chemical burns include silver nitrate (AgNO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), lye (NaOH), and lime (CaO). Chemical burns may occur through direct contact on body surfaces including skin and eyes, inhalation, and ingestion.
Dissolvable substances that spread well in human tissue, e.g. hydrofluoric acid, sulfur mustard and dimethyl sulfate, may not react immediately; instead, the burns and inflammation may occur hours after the contact.
Workers and individuals who are exposed to chemicals, pesticides, chemical fabrication, medicine, hair stylists, and related fields are examples of occupations where chemical burns may occur. Similarly, patients in a medical setting, homeowners who are exposed to toxic substances used or left by contractors, can also end up being severely burned by those substances, chemicals, and applications.
Chemical Burn Injury Compensation
Anyone using toxic chemical agents capable of causing chemical burn injury must exercise extreme caution, not only for personal safety, but to ensure the safety of others who may be exposed to the chemicals. Serious chemical burns can be caused through others’ negligence.
If you have been seriously injured by a chemical burn caused by others’ negligence, then contact us to review your circumstances.
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