Burn injuries can have a significant impact and are extremely painful, debilitating, and costly to treat. Over 1 million people in the US suffer burn injuries requiring medical attention each year, with the most common locations being homes and workplaces. Burns are classified as first, second, or third degree depending on the depth of skin damage. Treatment may involve wound care, skin grafts, medications and therapies. Severe burns can cost over $1 million on average to treat and have long-term physical and psychological consequences. If a burn injury is due to negligence, a personal injury claim may be pursued to help cover costs.

1. BURN
INJURIES
Understanding the
Impact of a Serious
Burn Injury

2. One of the Most Serious Injuries
A burn injury can have a significant impact on a victim.
These injuries are incredibly painful and debilitating.
They are also extremely costly to treat. In the pages that
follow, we’ll look at common types, costs and causes of
burn injuries.

3. How Common are Burn Injuries?
According to the American Burn Injury Association:
• A civilian fire death occurs every 2 hours and 35 minutes in the United States.
• In 2016, there were 3,390 civilian deaths from fire-related injuries.
• From 2011 to 2015, nearly a half million people sought treatment for burns in
emergency departments.
• Every year, over 1 million people suffer burn injuries that require medical
attention.

4. Where They Occur
Burns occur in a variety of settings, including
homes, workplaces and roadways. Nearly three-
fourths of burn injuries treated in burn centers
occur in homes. The second-leading environment in
which burns occur is the workplace.

5. Degrees of Burn Injuries
• First-Degree - Damage to the outer layer of the skin.
• Second-Degree - Damage to the second and third layers of the
skin, often resulting in blisters and thick skin.
• Third-Degree - Damage to the third layer of skin and, in many
cases, deeper tissues. Third degree burns are most likely to
cause disfigurement, disability and death.

6. Types of Burns
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, there are four different types of
burns:
• Thermal - Burns caused by exposure to heat sources, such as flames, hot
water or hot metals.
• Chemical - Burns caused by exposure to chemicals, such as solvents,
detergents or strong acids.
• Radiation - Burns caused by exposure to X-rays or UV rays.
• Electrical - Burns caused by exposure to electrical currents.

7. Treatment of Burn Injuries
A serious burn injury might require extensive medical care, which
could include:
• Wound treatment
• Skin grafting
• Blood transfusions
• Medication
• Cosmetic reconstruction
• Pain management
• Ongoing physical therapy.

8. Treatment Might Involve Many Medical Professionals
When someone experiences a serious burn injury, they will likely deal with
a wide array of medical professionals, including:
• Surgeons, including plastic and reconstructive surgeons
• Anesthesiologists
• Pain-management specialists
• Wound-care professionals
• Various types of therapists
• Mental health professionals and social workers.

9. Costs of Burn Injuries
Even without complications, severe burns can cost an average of
$1.6 million. If complications accompany a severe burn, costs can
range up to $10 million. These costs include hospital stays and
treatment of disfigurement, infections, failed skin grafts and
psychological problems, among other complications related to a
burn.

10. Other Consequences of Burn Injuries
• Infections
• Smoke inhalation/lung damage
• Disfigurement
• Psychological/emotional trauma
• Reduced work capacity
• Lost income
• Dependence on medical care
• Diminished quality of life.

11. When an Injury is Someone Else’s Fault
If a burn injury is caused by another person’s negligence,
the at-fault party can be held responsible through a
personal injury claim. These claims exist in order to
ensure that a victim of negligence doesn’t have to
shoulder the costs of their injuries.

12. If You Have Questions, Contact Stephenson Rife
If you or a loved one has suffered a serious burn injury in
Indiana and wish to speak to an attorney about your
options, contact Stephenson Rife to learn more. We make
sure our clients get the compensation they deserve. Fill
out our online form or call us at 317-680-2011 to schedule
a free consultation.