Burn Injury Statistics in Arizona
A burn injury is among the most painful injuries you can suffer and often requires extensive treatment. They also can cause permanent scarring and disability, which may cause you to be unable to work or return to your prior career. If someone’s negligence led to your burn injuries, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit with the help of a burn injury lawyer.
Incidence of Burn Injuries
The Arizona Department of Health Services reports that in 2019, 7,297 people sought medical treatment in Arizona emergency rooms for burn injuries. The largest age group of people seeking treatment for burn injuries was between 20 and 44. That age group was followed by children under the age of 15, which was only marginally higher than adults between the ages of 45 and 64.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports over 1.1 million burns in the United States each year. The American Burn Association estimates that 486,000 individuals receive medical treatment at a hospital for burn injuries each year. According to the CDC, 50,000 people with burns require hospitalization, and about 20,000 of those burns cover more than 25% of the victims’ bodies. Ultimately, about 4,500 of those burn victims die due to their injuries. In addition, another 10,000 people die each year after suffering burn-related infections.
Common Causes of a Burn Injury
The American Burn Association found that burn injuries most commonly result from fire or flames (44%), scalding from wet or moist heat (33%), contact with hot objects (9%), electrical (4%), and chemicals (3%). Given these causes, many burn injuries can occur due to accidents involving the negligence of others, such as:
- Assaults or incidents of abuse
- Chemical spills
- Defective products
- Fires or explosions
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Workplace accidents
When you or a loved one suffers burn injuries due to the negligence of others, you may have a legal claim for damages related to your injuries. Although most burn injuries are not fatal, they almost always result in some level of pain, extended treatment, serious scarring, lifelong disabilities, and adjustment difficulties.
Severity of Burn Injuries
The severity of burn injuries will determine the extent and nature of the treatment required for your injuries and the extent and type of damages that you may be able to seek through a personal injury lawsuit. Burn injuries range in severity from first-degree burns, which are the least serious, to fourth-degree burns, which are the most serious.
First-degree burns result in reddened skin that may be sensitive to the touch, such as a minor sunburn.
Second-degree burns can become infected if left untreated and often result in blisters, swelling, red skin, and pain.
Third-degree burns cause charring of the skin and require medical attention for the tissue to heal properly. Serious scarring is likely when you suffer from third-degree burns.
Finally, fourth-degree burns go beyond the skin to affect muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These burns can be fatal or lead to amputation of limbs.
Damages in Burn Injury Cases
You can seek compensation for your burn injuries through a personal injury lawsuit. Those damages will differ according to the severity of your injuries and may include:
- Medical expenses for emergency treatment of your burns
- Ongoing and future medical expenses, such as skin grafts
- Lost income while you are receiving medical treatment for your injuries
- Temporary or permanent disability or inability to work
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
Let Us Seek Compensation for Your Injuries After a Burn Injury
We know how difficult it can be to handle legal matters while you are struggling to recover from a burn injury. Allow an experienced Phoenix burn injury lawyer from Gallagher & Kennedy to handle your legal issues while you focus on your physical and mental recovery. Contact the offices of Gallagher & Kennedy, P.A. at 602-530-8400 or online to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.