Piering Law Firm
Practice Areas and Legal Definitions

Burn Injuries Overview

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences, part of the National Institute of Health, defines a burn as tissue damage caused by a variety of agents, such as heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight, or nuclear radiation. Most common are burns caused by scalds from flammable liquids and gases, burns in motor vehicle accidents, building fires, and explosions. According to the American Burn Association, each year in the United States, 1.1 million burn injuries require medical attention. Approximately 45,000 of these require hospitalization, and roughly half of those burn patients are admitted to a specialized burn unit.

About 4500 people die from burns each year in the US. This number is a sharp reduction from the 9000 annual fatalities from burn injuries of 30 years ago. The change reflects increased medical understanding of burns and their treatment. Burn survivors also have improved health, functioning, and quality of life. Because burns damage the skin's protective barrier, they are often followed by serious infection. Another 10,000 people die every year in the United States of burn-related infections. Among hospitalized burn patients pneumonia is the most common infectious complication

Severe burns are among the most devastating types of injuries. If you or a loved one is a burn survivor, you may take some comfort in learning about your legal rights which, if exercised with the skill and knowledge of an experienced attorney, can ease your burden.

Contact the Piering Law Firm to schedule your free and confidential initial consultation. We are available to speak with you 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, with home and weekend appointments when necessary. All cases are handled on a contingent fee basis, meaning there is no legal fee charged until we recover for you.