HOW SEVERE ARE BURN INJURIES?

​Burns can be extremely severe, sometimes requiring skin grafts, multiple surgeries, long-term rehabilitative treatment and/or physical therapy. For third-degree burns, longer hospital stays may be needed because of the increased risk of infection. In 2010 alone, there were 450,000 burn injuries that required medical treatment, according to the American Burn Association. This was just the number of burns that were treated in emergency rooms and hospitals. Many more minor burn injuries are treated at home or in doctors' offices or clinics.

Moderate to severe burn injuries often require that the victim be admitted to a burn center. These can be stand-alone facilities or special wings in larger hospitals that are specifically set up to treat the unique needs of a burn injury patient. Sixty percent of patients with burn injuries that required hospitalization in 2010 were admitted to burn centers.

The survival rate for burn injury patients treated at burn centers is very good, at 96.6 percent for the time period from 2003 to 2012. However, patients with burn injuries may also have other complications such as smoke inhalation, which can complicate and prolong treatment further. While the majority of burn patients are Caucasian males who were burnt at home, fire doesn't discriminate. Anyone can find themselves suffering from burn injuries after an in-home fire, car wreck or workplace accident.

When someone is injured in a fire caused by the negligence of another party, Arizona victims may be able to file a personal injury suit. Litigation cannot instantly make someone well again, but monetary compensation awarded through the courts can help with medical bills and ease stress during the very important time of recovery and healing.

Source: American Burn Association, "Burn Incidence and Treatment in the United States: 2013 Fact Sheet" Sep. 07, 2014