Burn
Injuries
Burn Injuries
There are very few injuries more painful and serious than burn injuries. When they are severe, they are often fatal and those who survive have a long, excruciating, and expensive road to recovery.
This type of injury often occurs when a victim comes into contact with flame, corrosive chemicals, hot objects, scalding fluids, radiation, or electricity. While they can sometimes be caused by unawareness on the victim’s part, many burns are due to the negligence of some other party. Victims are often left with physical and psychological scars requiring hospitalization and years of doctor’s visits and physical therapy. This can disrupt their work, home, and family life and cause significant financial problems for years down the road.
If you or someone you love is the victim of a burn injury caused by someone else’s neglect or recklessness, you may be eligible for compensation to cover your medical bills, lost time from work, and pain and suffering.
Fire and burn injuries represent 1% of incidence and injuries and 2% of the total costs of injuries, or $7.5 billion each year. (Finkelstein et all, 2006)
- Males account for $4.8 billion (64%) of the total costs of fire/burn injuries
- Females account for $2.7 billion (36%) of the total costs of fire/burn injuries
- Fatal fire and burn injuries cost $3 billion, representing 2% of the total costs of all fatal injuries
- Hospitalized fire and burn injuries total $1 billion, or 1% of the total cost of all hospitalized injuries
- Non-hospitalized fire and burn injuries cost $3 billion, or 2% of the total cost of all non-hospitalized injuries
WHO IS MOST VULNERABLE TO THIS TYPE OF PERSONAL INJURY?
According to The American Burn Association National Burn Repository, in 2011 burn injuries receiving medical treatment totaled 450,000, including 3,500 burn deaths from residential fires and 500 from other sources, such as vehicle crashes, electrical burns, or contact with chemicals. Many of these cases are instigated by some party other than the victim, thus giving the victim a good chance at being able to take their case to court and receive compensation.
- Males account for $4.8 billion (64%) of the total costs of fire/burn injuries
- Females account for $2.7 billion (36%) of the total costs of fire/burn injuries
- Fatal fire and burn injuries cost $3 billion, representing 2% of the total costs of all fatal injuries
- Hospitalized fire and burn injuries total $1 billion, or 1% of the total cost of all hospitalized injuries
- Non-hospitalized fire and burn injuries cost $3 billion, or 2% of the total cost of all non-hospitalized injuries
Groups at increased risk of fire-related injuries and death include:
- Children 4 and under
(CDC 2010; Flynn 2010) - Older adults aged 65 and older
(CDC 2010; Flynn 2010) - African Americans and Native Americans
(CDC 2010; Flynn 2010) - The poorest Americans
(Istre 2001; Flynn 2010) - Persons living in rural areas
(Ahrens 2003; Flynn 2010) - Persons living in manufactured or substandard housing
(Runyan 1992; Parker 1993)
Four types
of Burns:
Burns can occur either due to heat or due to chemical exposure. In both cases, there are various degrees of skin damage or other tissue damage that can result.
Some types are:
- First-Degree: These are usually minor and only affect surface-level skin. A sunburn is a good example. These do not usually require medical attention and are not as likely to have long-term consequences.
- Second-Degree: These are more serious and affect both the upper layer of skin and the lower layer, also known as the dermis. They are usually extremely painful and will require treatment.
- Third-Degree: Third-degree burns, also known as full-thickness burns, affect all layers of the skin and cause severe tissue damage. This will usually require intensive treatment and potentially skin grafting.
- Fourth-Degree: These are the rarest type. However, when it does occur it is incredibly dangerous and destroys not only the skin, but also the nerves and muscles. Most fourth-degree burns lead to death or permanent disfigurement.
Four types of Burns:
First-Degree: These are usually minor and only affect surface-level skin. A sunburn is a good example. These do not usually require medical attention and are not as likely to have long-term consequences.
Second-Degree: These are more serious and affect both the upper layer of skin and the lower layer, also known as the dermis. They are usually extremely painful and will require treatment.
Third-Degree: Third-degree burns, also known as full-thickness burns, affect all layers of the skin and cause severe tissue damage. This will usually require intensive treatment and potentially skin grafting.
Fourth-Degree: These are the rarest type. However, when it does occur it is incredibly dangerous and destroys not only the skin, but also the nerves and muscles. Most fourth-degree burns lead to death or permanent disfigurement.
PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER FOR BURN INJURIES
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with our team of Tucson personal injury attorneys.