In 2008, over 410,000 burn injuries happened in the United States, and approximately 40,000 people needed hospitalization.
Between 1993 to 2021, 94% of burn injuries were accidents.
If your injury occurred because of someone’s carelessness, you are entitled to recover damages for your injuries.
Most personal injury cases settle out of court. Thus, you may be wondering about typical burn settlement amounts.
Unfortunately, finding the average burn lawsuit or settlement isn’t helpful because every case is unique.
Only an attorney experienced with negotiating burn injury settlement amounts can tell you your case’s worth.
However, you can estimate a fair settlement by calculating your past and future medical costs and emotional losses.
The more severe the injury and the more hospitalization and treatment you require, the more your burn injury settlement is worth.
Types of Burn Injuries
Burn injuries range from minor to severe, depending on the area burned, the depth of the wound, and the percentage of the body affected. Children are most at risk for burns.
Women and children are often burned in residential kitchens by cookstove explosions or containers holding hot liquids or flames.
In the workplace, burns from fire, scalds, chemicals, and electricity most frequently affect men.
Treatment for Burn Injuries
You can treat minor burn injuries at home using cool water, aloe vera lotion, and antibacterial ointments.
However, if your burns are moderate or severe, you should seek immediate medical care.
Treatment will manage pain, remove dead tissue, stop infection, lessen the risk of scarring, and restore function to the affected area.
You may need hospitalization and specialized treatment at burn centers for severe burns.
The Burn Model System National Data and Statistical Center reported that from 1993 to 2021, the average hospital stay was 29 days.
If your burn covers a large area, you may need skin grafts. For example, 70.2% of patients with burns on their arms required grafts.
Further, many burn patients need emotional support and months of follow-up care, such as physical therapy and psychotherapy.
Additionally, you might need occupational therapy to help you perform your normal daily activities.
Long-Term Impacts of Burn Injuries
When you receive a burn, your body releases stress hormones and depresses cardiac function, causing distributive shock to your organs.
Patients with severe burns may experience higher body temperature, muscle atrophy, total body protein loss, and resting energy consumption for years after the incident.
Untreated burns can cause organ failure and eventual death. Burn injuries also have a high risk of infection, and infectious complications cause over 60% of burn injury deaths.
The Law Office of Chuck Geerhart: Securing the Burn Injury Settlement You Deserve
A severe burn injury often requires extensive hospitalization, skin grafts, physical therapy, and reconstructive surgery. These medical costs add up quickly.
One study noted that a severe burn injury with complications could cost up to $10 million. Even treatment for moderate burns with complications can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
If another individual or business is at fault for your injury, you have a right to compensation for your losses.
With over 30 years of experience in personal injury, the attorneys at the Law Office of Chuck Geerhart will manage your settlement until you secure maximum recovery.