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Burn Injuries

In the United States, approximately 3.5 million burn injuries are reported per year. Medical professionals treat approximately 750,000 of the injuries; (100,000 are hospitalized). Of those hospitalized, 30,000 have major burns involving at least 25% of their total body surface. Approximately14, 000 burn injuries result in fatalities. Approximately 1.5 million burn victims sustain considerable or permanent disabilities resulting from their burn injury.

Burn injuries are second to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Children, age’s newborn to two-years-old are most frequently admitted for emergency burn care in a hospital. The kitchen is the most frequent area in the home where burn injuries occur for children newborn to four. The next most frequent area is in the bathroom.

The National Burn Information Exchange indicates that after the age of 60, the risk of burn injury is greater than at any time since childhood and the average size of the burn is larger than for any other age group. Burns are one of the most expensive catastrophic injuries to treat. For example, a burn of 30% of total body area can cost as much as $200,000 in initial hospitalization costs and for physician’s fees.

For extensive burns, there are additional significant costs that will include costs for repeat admission for reconstruction and for rehabilitation. The most common burn injuries are:

• Car Accidents
• Gas Explosions
• Scalding/ Hot Water
• Electrical Accidents
• Industrial Accidents
• Gasoline Spills
• Household Fires
• Defective Citronella Candles
• Lighters & Matches
  

Types of Burns:
First degree burns are minor burns involving only the top layer of skin. Sunburns are examples of first-degree burns. This type of burn is red and hot, but there is no swelling or blistering.
Second degree burns involve the top layer of skin as well as part of the layers underneath. The skin is a light red and blistery, somewhat swollen and moist and oozing. The pain is extremely severe.
Third degree burns involve all the layers of the skin. The burn will destroy the nerves and the blood vessels in the skin. There is very little pain at first. The burn area is white, yellow, black or cherry red. The skin will be dry and leathery. As the burns heal there will be dense scarring and possible skin grafting.

If you or a loved has suffered a burn injury, please fill out the form at the right for a free case evaluation by a qualified personal injury attorney.