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.

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.

More severe injuries can lead to long-term consequences or even death. However, even less severe injuries can result in medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Whatever degree of burn you suffered, you deserve compensation if the injury was a result of someone else’s negligence. Our personal injury lawyers can help get you the money you deserve.

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.

GROUPS AT INCREASED RISK OF FIRE-RELATED INJURIES AND DEATHS 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 homes or substandard housing (Runyan 1992; Parker 1993)

FIRE AND BURN INJURIES REPRESENT 1% OF THE INCIDENCE OF INJURIES AND 2% OF THE TOTAL COSTS OF INJURIES, OR $7.5 BILLION EACH YEAR (FINKELSTEIN ET AL. 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