Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are common in residential fires but can also occur from boat, plane, or car crashes, electrocutions or sudden contact with dangerous or hot substances. Although burn injuries can be easily prevented, careless behavior causes burn accidents, some of which can be fatal.

Burn Injuries Statistics in the U.S.

Aside from auto accidents, burn injuries are the second leading cause of accident fatalities in the United States.

Close to 800 people lose their lives every year in cigarette fires, which are the leading cause of fire fatalities.

Here are some more relevant burn injury statistics:

• Buildings without a smoke alarm are 2 times more likely to sustain fires which get out of control.
• Electrical cords and extensions cause close to 60% of all electrical burn injuries to children of the ages 12 and under.
• More than 40,000 people are admitted to hospitals every year due to burn injuries.
• The most serious accidents are the ones that cause brain and nervous system burn injuries, with endocrine system and hormones burn injuries right behind them.
• Every year, an estimated 600 children ages 14 or under, die in residential fires. 65% of these children are 4 years old or less.
• 70% of all burn injury accidents occur at home, with 9% at the occupation, 7% on the street, 4% playing sports, and around 9% occurring in miscellaneous locations.
• More than 2/3 of fire-related fatalities, which occur at home, are caused by smoke and toxic gases rather than the fire itself.
• The cost of treating a person with around 30% burns on his body, which is 2^nd to 3^rd degree burn, is around $200,000.
• After a burn injury is treated, the complete recovery from the burn trauma can take up to 2 years.
• For every 1% burn on the body, a person will stay, on average, 1 day in the hospital.
• An infection which takes place after a non-fatal burn injury occurs is the leading cause of fatalities in such burn injury cases.

Major Causes of Burn Injuries in South Florida

Burn injuries come with severe pain and discomfort. The after effects of such injuries can also include disfigurement, psychological trauma, long-term or temporary disabilities and scarring.

The causes of these horrific injuries can be:

Auto Accidents:

This happens when a reckless driver causes a car crash which results in a gas fire and severe burns to people involved in the crash.

Workplace Accidents:

Restaurants, warehouses and construction sites are prone to fires and explosions due to electrical wiring, compressed gases and hazardous chemicals. Workers or patrons at such sites may suffer from chemical burns, scalding and other injuries caused by accidental fires.

Electrocution and Defective Appliances:

Faulty wiring of appliances and electrical shock caused by exposed wire can cause burns. These burns affect the victim’s muscles, skin, nerves and other body parts. Defective propane tanks, which are used in cooking, are also one of the leading causes of residential fires.

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Prevention of Fire and Burn Injuries

A good start to preventing such horrible accidents is to watch an informative burn injury presentation.

The prevention of fire and burn injuries can be extremely effective, if done right.

Statistics show that most burn injury accidents could have been prevented if the necessary safety measures were in place.

This includes smoke alarms that are tested regularly. However, only 75% of homes are proven to have a working smoke alarm installed. It is highly recommended that you install a smoke alarm in each room of your home or apartment.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most home fires start in the kitchen.

It is the heart of the home, so this is not surprising at all:

• Always stay in the kitchen while you are cooking.
• Keep easily flammable items away from the hot surfaces.
• Never cook while holding or playing with a child or a pet.
• Keep small children and pets away from hot surfaces or easily flammable items.

Burn Injuries Treatment:

Sometimes, accidents happen. And burn injuries accidents are no exception. Even though you have taken all the safety measures, things can still go wrong. In such cases, you have to be ready to provide first aid to the person who got burned:

• Use cold water, and run it over the burned area.
• Cover the burn with a sterile bandage or a clean cloth. Make sure the cloth really is clean because you do not want to infect the wound.
• Use some over-the-counter medications for pain relief, if the burn is severe.
• Try applying baking soda to the wound. It takes away the heat and eases the pain.
• If the burn is way too severe, go to a hospital immediately.

Recovering from Burn Injuries:

Burn injuries can damage tissue, cause inflammation or infection of the wound. They also cause limb circulation problems, multiple organ failures or respiratory issues. Third-degree burns will usually require major surgery, or sometimes, amputation.

When faced with a burn injury caused by negligence of another person, you will need the help of an experienced attorney to win your case.

A burn injury lawsuit should always be filed if you or a loved one is a victim of a burn injury accident.

Why? You may suffer economic hardships, like high medical bills, lost wages, mental anguish, trauma or other psychological and/or physical pain.

Our law firm handles sensitive cases for burn injuries in Hallandale Beach and the surrounding South Florida cities. We will fight to win the maximum compensation that you deserve.

If you or a loved one has suffered from burn injuries in Hallandale Beach, through no fault of your own, you might be eligible to recover your damages. Our attorneys are specialists when it comes to burn injury cases and will not stop until you get the reimbursement you deserve.

Get your questions answered - call us for your FREE consultation at 800-835-5762 & 954-456-2488