Burn Injury Statistics

Burn Injuries Are Among the Most Painful and Debilitating Injuries a Person Can Suffer

Severe burns can result in scarring, disfigurement, loss of limbs, multiple surgeries and the need for long-term rehabilitation and care. The expenses involved can lead to severe financial hardships, especially if you are unable to work, and negatively impact your quality of life and relationships.

If you or a loved one was burned due to someone else’s negligence or fault, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. A successful burn injury lawsuit can bring a settlement that will help cover your expenses such as medical, hospital, and rehabilitation bills and continuing care, as well as the non-tangible costs such as pain and suffering that a severe burn injury can bring.

The burn injury lawyers at the law firm of Wapner Newman understand what you are going through and that, at this difficult time, the idea of filing a lawsuit can be overwhelming.  We can take the burden off you and relieve your stress by handling all legal matters, negotiating with insurance companies, and fighting for justice and the settlement you deserve, so you can concentrate on your recovery.

We offer a free consultation to discuss the facts of your individual burn situation and determine the best way to proceed with your case. We work on a contingency basis, so you pay nothing unless and until we win a settlement for you.

Call us today at (215) 569-0900 to get started. We handle burn injury cases in Pennsylvania and New Jersey area.

Statistics for Burn Injuries

If you have suffered a severe burn injury, you are not alone. The following are statistics from the American Burn Injury Association, 2017 fact sheet. The American Burn Association (ABA) is an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting burn-related research, education, care, rehabilitation, and prevention.

Their statistics were derived from 2016 sample and registry statistics compiled by ongoing national healthcare and fire casualty surveys, selected state health data systems, and the National Burn Repository (NBR) of the American Burn Association.

Burn injuries that required medical treatment: 486,000. This general estimate is derived mainly from federal surveys which provide annual estimates of hospital admissions and visits to hospital emergency departments.

Fire/Smoke inhalation deaths: 3,275. This includes:

  • 2,745 deaths from residential fires
  • 310 from vehicle crash fires
  • 220 from other sources.

The report claims that the odds of a U.S. resident’s dying from exposure to fire, flames or smoke is 1 in 1,442.

Hospitalizations related to burn injury: 40,000. This includes 30,000 at hospital burn centers.

Survival Rate for hospitalizations: 96.8%.

Breakdown of burn victims:

  • 68% of victims are male and 32% female.
  • 59% are Caucasian, 20% African-American, 14% Hispanic, 7% Other.

Common causes for hospital admission to burn centers:
43% from Fire or Flame, 34% Scald injuries, 9% Contact, 4% Electrical burns, 3% Chemical burns, 7% Other

Common places of burn occurrence: 73% Home, 8% Occupational, 5% Street/Highway, 5% Recreational/Sport, 9% Other

How Our Burn Injury Lawyer Can Help

After a burn injury, the attorneys at Wapner Newman recognize that you could face long-term complications, and we want to secure compensation to cover all your monetary costs for medical and rehabilitative treatment of your burn injuries, as well as your intangible non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, loss of life’s pleasures, loss of consortium, and scarring and disfigurement.

To win your case, we would have to show that another person or entity, the defendant in the case, was negligent and at fault for causing the burn injury. These means proving that:

  • The defendant(s) owed you a duty of care not to cause harm
  • They breached this duty by actions that resulted in your burn or failing to act responsibly to prevent your burn.
  • This breach caused the burn that injured you.
  • You suffered damages as a result.

To prove negligence, we would investigate your case and gather evidence of how the burn happened and the extent of your injuries. We would find all parties who were potentially liable for causing your burn, including individuals, property owners, and corporations. We would:

  • Gather your medical records and reports on emergency treatment, hospital care, surgeries, and continuing care.
  • Get fire department and police department reports.
  • Obtain expert medical evaluations of future procedures and rehabilitation you might have to undergo to facilitate your recovery.
  • Locate accident scene photos and videos, and take photos of your injuries.
  • Get expert testimony from safety inspectors and other professionals to determine the cause of the accident.
  • Get expert medical testimony as to what to expect from your injuries, how they affect your quality of life, your ability to work, your relationships, and your earning capacity.

Based on the evaluation of all evidence and factors involved in your case and the availability of insurance and the assets of the defendants, our attorneys will be able to have a good idea of the amounts of damages you might be able to recover. We will negotiate with any insurance companies involved for a fair settlement and, if necessary, take your case to court and argue it in front of a judge and jury.

Call Us Today for Help with a Burn Injury

When you or a loved one is injured or someone has died due to a burn injury, you may have a right to compensation for all of your damages. Burn injury statistics help illustrate how significant these injuries are, but you are not a number. Your personal pain, suffering, and financial damages must be taken into account by an experienced burn injury attorney who can fight to get you every penny you deserve.

The Pennsylvania and New Jersey burn injury attorneys at Wapner Newman are prepared to investigate the cause of your injury, identify the liable party or parties, and fight to get you maximum compensation. Time is of the essence, as according to Pennsylvania statute 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524(2), there is a statute of limitations, or deadline, to file most personal injury claims – you have two years from the time of the accident or the courts most likely will refuse to hear your case.

Call us today for your free consultation at (215) 569-0900, while evidence is fresh and witnesses can be found.