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Burns can be the most serious and painful injuries one can receive. In the United States, nearly 500,000 people suffer burns each year requiring medical attention, including over 40,000 hospitalizations and nearly 3,800 deaths.
Causes of Severe Burns
Fires start for many preventable reasons, including:
- Undetected gas leak in a home or office building causing an explosion
- Furnaces and water heaters can malfunction due to improper maintenance or design
- Malfunctioning furnaces and water heaters because of improper maintenance or design
- Products that either burn hotter or more rapidly than expected starting on fire easily
- Out of control campfires or bonfires
- Improperly designed gas cans or other receptacles
- Poorly labeled clothing that unexpectedly combusts
The Heavy Cost of Burns
Burn injuries are traumatizing, painful, and disabling. They can result in disfigurement and require extensive reconstructive surgeries. Many burn victims endure prolonged treatments during healing, including frequent debridement of the affected areas and skin harvesting and grafting from unharmed parts of the body.
Besides the heavy physical and emotional costs endured by burn victims, there is an economic burden. Patients often need special treatment in burn centers, including surgery, wound management, and long periods of rehabilitation. Total charges for surviving burn patients with burns on over 10% of their total body surface area averages nearly $270,000. Charges for non-surviving patients exceed $360,000.
Why Treating Burn Injuries is so Expensive
Severe burns affect many body systems and tissues causing numerous medical challenges. Having to manage multiple medical issues at once is why costs to treat burn victims can be so high.
Some related and derived injuries associated with burns include:
- Damaged skin
- Damaged nerves
- Damaged muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Damaged bones
- Damaged eyes and vision
- Damaged organs, such as the lungs
Multiple medical professionals may be required for treatment of the following:
- Wound care
- Pain management
- Reconstructive surgeons
- Physical therapists
- Occupational therapists
- Psychological therapists
- Social workers
If you or a loved one has been injured in a fire due to a defective product or the negligence of another person, you are entitled to compensation.
The personal injury attorneys of Bolt Hoffer Boyd Law Firm can help you seek compensation for your losses, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Permanent disabilities
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Wrongful death
- Funeral expenses
Contact the personal injury lawyers of Bolt Hoffer Boyd Law Firm to schedule your free consultation.