Burn injuries can have devastating and even life-changing physical consequences.
However, when evaluating the impact of a burn injury, you must also consider the financial and psychological ways it can affect someone’s life.
The financial impact of a burn injury
Burn injuries can happen at home, work or relatively anywhere. While a mild injury can heal quickly and have no lasting impact, a severe burn can cause permanent damage, requiring substantial medical intervention. Sometimes the medical bills are extensive while the victim is unable to work, creating a dire situation. If the injury occurs on the job or as the result of another party’s negligence, there are ways to recover those losses.
The psychological impact of a burn injury
The circumstances surrounding the accident that cause a burn injury and the aftermath of dealing with physical and emotional pain can have a profound impact on someone’s psychological wellness. Common examples of the mental effects include:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder is a long-term disorder that can affect a person for the rest of their life, causing regular emotional distress and sometimes making it difficult to live a normal life.
- Acute stress disorder is milder than PTSD and generally manifests mild anxiety.
- Depression is common for people with burn injuries that significantly change how they live their lives.
- Chronic pain can occur in patients with severe burns and can negatively impact mental health over time.
Victims of negligence can sometimes access the compensation they need through an injury claim to access the best medical care available and begin rebuilding their lives.
