Burn injuries are a significant problem in the United States. These injuries which are often life-threatening, are second to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in this country. We have complied some statistics that speak to just how large the problem is.

According to a 2013 fact sheet released by the American Burn Association (ABA), an estimated 450,000 people receive medical treatment for burns at hospital emergency departments each year in the United States.

The ABA also states that there are 3,400 fire/burn/smoke inhalation deaths each year. This total includes 2,550 deaths from home fires, 300 from vehicular accident fires, 400 from contact with electricity, scalding liquids or hot objects, 550 from other sources such as flame burns or smoke inhalation in non-residential fires.

The ABA tells us that there are 40,000 hospitalizations each year in this country which are related to burn injuries, including 30,000 at hospital burn centers. Over 60 percent of the estimated acute hospitalizations related to burn injuries were admitted to 127 burn treatment facilities. These facilities average over 200 annual admissions for burn injures and skin disorders requiring similar treatment. The other 4,500 acute care hospitals in the U.S. average less than 3 burn admissions each year.

More males are treated at burn treatment facilities than females (69% male, 31% female).

Regarding ethnicity, the majority of people treated at burn treatment facilities are Caucasian (59%), followed by those of African American descent (20%), Hispanic (14%) and 7% other.

The cause of these burns are mostly due to fire/flame injuries (43%), followed by scald injuries (34%), contact burns (9%), electrical burns (4%), chemical burns (3%) with other types making up 7%.

The places these fires occurred are mostly in homes (72%), at places of work (9%), on streets and highways (5%), at recreational and sporting events (5%) with 9% taking place elsewhere.

A serious burn injury can leave a victim with both physical and emotional scars. Our Bay Area burn injury attorneys understand how serious burn injuries can be, which is why we are dedicated to helping burn victims and their families. If you’ve suffered a burn injury in an accident that was caused by someone else, you could be entitled to compensation. You can reach us at 866-205-4971 or via our website for a no-cost case review. We have offices conveniently located in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento.