The latest statistics by the American Burn Association of America show that every year in the United States 500,000 people suffer burn injuries. From this number, approximately 4,000 die, including from smoke inhalation. This total includes an estimated 3,500 deaths from home fires and 500 deaths from motor vehicle accidents and other fire and burn accidents. Most of these deaths occur at the place of fire incident or while being transported to a hospital.
There are nearly 40,000 burn injuries per year severe enough to require hospitalization, including at one of the 125 specialized burn centers in the U.S. Each of the 125 specialized burn centers in the U.S. averages 200 burn victims per year. Approximately 1/3 of those admitted to a burn center have more than 30% of their total body surface area burnt. The overall survival rate of burn injury victims is 94.4%. Those that do survive must deal with a lifetime of physical and emotional scarring. The affects are life changing.
Some burn injury accident statistics:
- Gender: 70% Male, 30% Female
- Ethnicity: 62% Caucasian, 18% African-American, 12% Hispanic, 8% Other
- 31% of Burn Victims Had Little or No Health Insurance
Burn injuries are classified as 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree burns with 2nd and 3rd degree burn victims suffering severe and painful injuries. Burn victims that lose large amounts of skin are exposed to infections, dehydration, shock or other life threatening dangers.
After hospital discharge, intensive rehabilitation may follow to regain loss mobility and other bodily functions. Multiple reconstructive surgeries may be required, including cosmetic surgery. Psychological and emotional therapy may also be necessary to cope with the physical disfigurements and scarring remaining in the aftermath of a burn incident.
Common causes of burn injuries include:
- Fire or Flame (46%)
- Scalding Liquid (32%)
- Hot Object Contact (8%)
- Electrical (4%)
- Chemical (3%)
- Other (6%)
Common injuries sustained in a burn accident include:
- Skin Damage
- Tissue Damage
- Ligament Damage
- Nerve Damage
- Muscle Damage
- Lost Mobility
- Psychological Damage
- Emotional Trauma
- Physical Disfigurement
- Scarring
In Florida, there are four specialized burn centers:
- University of Miami -- Jackson Memorial Burn Center, Miami
- Orlando Regional Medical Center -- Burn / Tissue Rehab Unit, Orlando
- Tampa General Hospital -- Tampa Bay Regional Burn Center, Tampa
- University of Florida -- Shands Burn Center, Gainesville
Burn injures can happen anywhere. Below is a breakdown of where most burn injury accidents occur:
- Home (43%)
- Street/Highways (17%)
- Work Related (8%)
- Other (32%)
You can reach Personal Injury Lawyer J.P. Gonzalez-Sirgo by dialing his direct number at (786) 272-5841, calling the main office at (305) 461-1095, or Toll Free at 1 (866) 71-CLAIM or email Attorney Gonzalez-Sirgo directly at [email protected].
