Any accident that results in a burn injury could have an extremely high emotional impact. Getting through a bad event with serious consequences might need the assistance of experts. Considering all the factors can help you shift from a legal perspective to a more personal one. This can help you transform the negative experience into something that helps you start anew and move forward.
In the wake of a burn injury brought on by someone else's carelessness, The Ward Law Group, through our burn injury attorneys, is prepared to offer sympathetic and efficient legal counsel. In addition to being excruciating physically, burn injuries can cause long-lasting emotional and psychological trauma.
Our committed staff of burn accident lawyers is aware of the difficulties burn victims face. It is trained to obtain the funds required to recover fully after burn injury cases.
The National Burn Repository (NBR) of the American Burn Association (ABA), certain state health data systems, and ongoing national health care and fire casualty surveys' sample and registry statistics were used to create the following estimates:
- Deaths from smoke or fire inhalation: 3,275
This sum comprises 220 deaths from other sources, 310 deaths from car crashes, and 2,745 deaths from residential fires. There is one civilian fire death every two hours and forty-one minutes.
The likelihood of a resident of the United States passing away from smoke, flames, or because of suffering burn injuries is 1 in 1442. Because it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between deaths from thermal burns in fires and deaths from inhaling toxins in smoke, fire and inhalation deaths are combined.
A professional Long Island Burn injury lawyer must always know these numbers.
- Hospitalizations for Burn Injury: 40,000, with 30,000 of those stays occurring in hospital burn centers.
Over 120 burn centers in the US admit most burn injury patients, with over 60% of acute hospitalizations. These centers now have around 200 admissions each year for burn injuries and similar skin conditions. Less than three burn admissions occur annually at the 4,500 other acute care hospitals in the United States.
By analyzing data from the source "Selected Statistics: 2005-2014 Burn Admissions to Burn Centers (ABA National Burn Repository 2015)," it is possible to discern a striking truth about the extent of burn admissions to specialty centers over these ten years.
Burn centers have treated many patients, gaining knowledge about how often and how severe burn injuries occur in the general population.
These vital statistics show how frequently admissions occur and provide insight into the various circumstances that can lead to burns, from incidents at home and work to auto accidents.
Looking at these numbers helps us understand how serious burn injuries are and the importance of immediate medical help and prevention. Some of the concluded percentages had been the following:
- Survival Rate: 96.8%
- Gender: 68% Male, 32% Female
- Ethnicity: 59% Caucasian, 20% African-American, 14% Hispanic, 7% Other
- Admission Cause: 43% Fire/Flame, 34% Scald, 9% Contact, 4% Electrical, 3% Chemical, 7% Other
- Place of Occurrence: 73% Home, 8% Occupational, 5% Street/Highway, 5% Recreational/Sport, 9% Other
Although the figures help to have a concise snapshot of the real characteristics that arise around these types of events that lead to burn injuries, you are not just a number or a figure.
You require a human approach that operates above the numbers. You must understand that you will need a comprehensive and holistic approach to get ahead of these situations. You must evaluate important aspects, such as who makes up your environment and your predominant beliefs, and reflect on your purpose in life.
We all bring a purpose to this plane of reality. Sometimes, difficult circumstances can force us to turn our gaze toward finding our mission.
This mysterious logic with which things sometimes happen is also part of the history of The Ward Law Group. At first, we didn't know where the path would take us. Our first few months were filled with far more questions than answers.
We had taken a big step, but as Martin Luther King used to say, we hadn't seen the whole ladder. It's just that we never really need to see it completely. We only trusted the first step since we were driven by dreams and the desire to serve our community by positively impacting everything around us.
As time passed, our first step towards the staircase began to bring light of its own, and thus, we could illuminate our entire path to see through it. We met many people who came to our aid. With cases of various kinds in which we also saw our dreams reflected.
This proves that our initial hypothesis was correct: We live in a world that needs help. Help from people who are willing to serve with full vocation.
We recently opened offices in New York. Now, we can connect with people in Brooklyn, Long Island, Queens, the Bronx, and other important areas. These communities have diverse backgrounds and a strong sense of community.
Immigrants face obstacles when settling in a new country. They wait for our help during this journey. They hope to live freely and peacefully.
Suppose you reside on Long Island and have been the victim of an event that caused burns or injuries that have left you mending, in addition to altering your daily life and not allowing you to work. In that case, you should immediately contact our team of professionals so we can guide you. Step by step during the process that will help you get the justice you deserve.
We will evaluate your case at no cost, and you will understand more about the legal alternatives that exist for the situation you are going through.
Join us to discover a little more about cases of burn injuries and the characteristics that surround them.
Common Causes of Burn Injuries in Long Island
The causes we have seen over the past ten years have been varied. Sometimes, situations occur where there is no intention to harm or start a fire. Accidental factors cause bigger events that can harm people close to where they happen.
Some of the most common causes identified by our experts are the following:
- Automobile Accidents: Burn injuries can result from car accidents, especially when vehicles catch fire due to fuel-fed fires, electrical malfunctions, or collisions leading to explosive situations.
- Industrial Accidents: Long Island's industrial landscape poses risks, with burn injuries often occurring in workplaces where exposure to hazardous materials, explosions, or machinery malfunctions can lead to severe burns.
- Construction Site Incidents: Construction sites are prone to burn injuries, whether from electrical malfunctions, chemical exposure, or accidents involving welding or hot equipment.
- Residential Fires: Home fires caused by faulty wiring, cooking accidents, or heating equipment malfunctions contribute significantly to burn injuries in Long Island.
- Scalding Injuries: Burns from hot liquids or steam, commonly found in kitchen or industrial settings, are frequent, leading to scalding injuries, especially among children and the elderly.
- Defective Products: Malfunctioning or poorly designed products, such as faulty electronics or appliances, can cause burns, prompting product liability claims.
- Electrical Accidents: Exposure to live electrical wires, faulty wiring, or electrical equipment malfunctions can result in severe electrical burns, often requiring immediate medical attention.
- Chemical Exposure: Industries utilizing hazardous chemicals may witness burn injuries if proper safety measures are not in place, leading to chemical burns with long-lasting consequences.
- Apartment Fires: Multi-unit dwellings are susceptible to fires, and residents may suffer burns due to negligence, inadequate fire safety measures, or faulty building infrastructure.
- Workplace Accidents: Beyond industrial settings, burn injuries can occur in various workplaces, including offices, where electrical fires, malfunctioning equipment, or workplace hazards pose risks.
- Gas Explosions: Gas leaks and subsequent explosions can result in burn injuries, affecting individuals in residential areas or those working near gas pipelines.
- Outdoor Recreational Accidents: From barbecues to camping stoves, outdoor activities can lead to burn injuries when safety precautions are overlooked, demonstrating the diverse range of burn causes in Long Island.
Following efficient prevention, recommendations could reduce the percentages of these events. At The Ward Law Group, we are constantly working to provide information in this regard to help the citizens of our community be better prepared to deal with these situations.
Severity Levels of Burns and types of burn injuries.
Burns can be categorized based on their severity. There are different degrees of burns, ranging from first-degree to more severe. The type of burn is decided based on the event, like a friction burn or a chemical exposure burn.
Our personal injury attorneys, with the whole team, have reviewed our files and identified the following most common ones that we have seen during all these years of experience treating burn injury victims:
- First-Degree Burns: Superficial burns affecting only the outer layer of the skin. Typically, these result from brief contact with a hot surface or exposure to the sun.
- Second-degree burns: Burns penetrating both the outer layer and the layer beneath. Examples include scalds from hot liquids or prolonged exposure to a heat source.
- Third-degree burns: Severe burns reaching the deeper tissues, potentially impacting nerves and blood vessels. Prolonged exposure to flames or chemicals can lead to extensive tissue damage.
- Fourth-degree burns: Burns that extend beyond the skin and affect muscles, tendons, and bones. These are often caused by severe electrical burns that cause deep tissue destruction.
- Fifth-degree burns: Burns with extensive damage, potentially reaching internal organs. Industrial accidents involving prolonged exposure to extreme heat can result in these severe burns.
- Sixth-Degree Burns: The most severe burns involve catastrophic damage and are often fatal. Individuals exposed to extremely high temperatures in severe fire incidents may experience these burns.
- Scald Burns: Burns caused by hot liquids or steam. Spilling hot coffee or cooking liquids can lead to varying degrees of scalding.
- Chemical Burns: Burns resulting from contact with corrosive substances. Accidental exposure to strong acids or alkalis in a laboratory or industrial setting can cause chemical burns.
- Electrical Burns: burns caused by electrical currents passing through the body. Workplace accidents involving contact with live wires or faulty electrical equipment may result in electrical burns.
Rehabilitation and Recovery
As mentioned before, recovery from these events and, in general, personal injury cases can be challenging if the right environment does not surround you, if you do not receive the right counseling from specialized professionals, or if you lose the will to live.
Although science has advanced quite a bit in dealing with these cases, determining the best treatment for you will depend on the type of injury or particular case. A precise treatment could reduce the possibilities of long-term consequences.
At this point, medical and legal work becomes integrated and join forces for a successful outcome. Our legal work will find the path to compensation for your medical bills and care. This will probably require a negotiation with any insurance company involved.
Some activities related to the recovery and treatment of these cases are the following:
Medical Monitoring and Wound Care:
Ongoing medical supervision to monitor healing progress and prevent infections.
Example: Regular check-ups with a burn specialist to assess wound healing and address any complications.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Exercises:
Tailored exercises to improve mobility and functionality.
Example: Range of motion exercises for burn survivors to regain flexibility in affected areas.
Occupational Therapy:
Training to enhance daily living skills and facilitate independence.
Example: Teaching adaptive techniques for individuals with hand burns to regain dexterity.
Psychological Counseling:
Emotional support and counseling to cope with trauma and psychological effects.
Example: Therapy sessions to address post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following a burn injury.
Scar Management:
Techniques to minimize scarring and improve cosmetic appearance.
Example: Application of silicone sheets or gels to reduce hypertrophic scars.
Pain Management:
Strategies to alleviate pain associated with burns during recovery.
Example: Prescription medications, physical modalities, or alternative therapies to manage pain.
Nutritional Support:
Customized dietary plans to promote healing and prevent complications.
Example: High-protein diets to support tissue repair and boost immune function.
Assistive Devices and Adaptive Equipment:
Provision of tools and devices to enhance daily functioning.
Example: Customized orthotic devices to assist with walking for burn survivors with lower limb injuries.
Vocational Rehabilitation:
Training and support to re-enter the workforce or pursue new career paths.
Example: Job retraining programs for burn survivors adapting to changes in physical abilities.
Peer Support Groups:
Connection with others who have experienced similar challenges for mutual support.
Example: Participation in burn survivor support groups to share experiences and coping strategies.
Reintegration Into Daily Activities:
Gradual return to pre-injury activities and routines.
Example: Structured programs to help burn survivors regain confidence in daily tasks like cooking or driving.
Community Reintegration Programs:
Initiatives to facilitate involvement in social and community activities.
Example: Participation in community events and workshops to promote inclusion and interaction.
Contact a Long Island Burn Injury Lawyer for Help!
Contact us to obtain the compensation you deserve and avoid prolonging the agony. The Ward Law Group will show you the way; our winning ways of continuing through it will help us succeed. Let's trust that God's timing will work out in your favor.
Before moving forward with your case, contact us at 855-DOLOR-55 for a free case evaluation!