There are 1.25 million burn injuries that require medical attention in the U.S. every year, according to National Institutes of Health (NIH). Burn injuries can range in severity from minor (first degree) to most serious (third degree). There are a variety of causes of burns, some of them terrible accidents and others the result of negligent or irresponsible behavior.

Burns occur when tissue is damaged by heat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight or nuclear radiation. First and second degree burns can be extremely painful. Third degree burns usually are not painful, because the nerves that transmit pain sensation have been destroyed. In very severe cases of extensive burns, loss of fluids can lead to depletion of blood volume, shock and dangerously low blood pressure resulting in death if not treated quickly.

Many burn injuries could have been prevented with proper safety regulations, safety equipment or responsible behavior when operating vehicles and dangerous machinery or handling dangerous chemicals. When unsafe behavior led to a burn injury, the person or entity that engaged in the negligence should be held accountable. A burn injury lawyer can help victims receive proper compensation from parties whose irresponsible behavior caused them harm.

Causes of Burn Injury

Burns can result from accident or from a broad range of negligent behavior. When burn injury results from the irresponsible or harmful behavior of a person or entity, the victim deserves compensation for cost of medical treatment, loss of income, and physical, emotional and psychological damage. There are many possible causes of burns including:

Car Accidents

Serious car accidents can often be a source of burn injury, due to the presence of gasoline and other flammable objects. Fires and explosions can turn a serious car accident into a deadly one very quickly. If a car accident was the fault of a negligent, drunk or otherwise distracted driver, compensation may be awarded to victims of the accident.

Chemicals

Chemical burns are caused when caustic chemical compounds such as acid or base come into contact with the skin. Chemical burns are often severe, with toxic chemicals quickly burning down to the bone in many cases. These injuries may be the result of accident or assault. Workplaces such as manufacturing plants where large amounts of caustic chemicals are used are common sites for chemical burns. If safety precautions are not taken or not available, employers and business owners may be held responsible for injuries incurred do to this irresponsibility.

Electrical

Electrical burns are caused by either an electric shock or an uncontrolled short circuit. Extreme internal damage can be caused, such as cardiac arrest, although some internal damage is not evident at the time of incident. Some electrocutions do not produce external burns at all. Common occurrences of electrical burns are seen in the workplace or when a person is defibrillated without conductive gel.