Common Causes of Burn Injuries

Every year, 1.1 million people suffer burn injuries severe enough to require medical attention, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Approximately 20,000 of these burn victims sustain major burns that cover 25% or more of their bodies. Nearly 4,500 burn victims die each year from their injuries, while 10,000 Americans die annually as a result of infections that develop from their burns.

Clearly, these statistics are scary, and many of these burn injuries occur right here in Illinois. In order to avoid burn injuries or protect your rights after an injury, it’s important to know the most common causes.

What Are the Main Causes of Burn Injuries?

Understanding the many different ways a burn injury can happen is an important step towards protecting yourself from serious injuries in the future. Here are the most common causes of burn injuries.

• Scalding Burns – Typically, these burns are a result of extremely hot or boiling liquids. If hot coffee spills on you or someone else, it could result in a scalding burn. Small children and the elderly are especially vulnerable to scalding burns, usually resulting from hot tap or bath water or spilled coffee.
• Car Accidents – In many car accidents, gasoline from a vehicle can ignite, causing the car to burst into flames and burn anyone in the car. Although car fires are rare, they can result in serious burn injuries and fatalities.
• Chemical Burns – Chemical burns commonly occur in the home or workplace when harsh chemicals are used. Pay special attention to label warnings, which may instruct you to avoid touching the chemicals with your skin. Many accidents happen when no warnings exist or when something goes awry.
• Residential Building Fires – According to the United States Fire Administration, 7,500 residential fires in 2018 resulted in burn injuries. The two most common causes of these fires were cooking-related accidents and carelessness, accounting for 29.5% and 12.8%, respectively. 
• Thermal Burns – Thermal burns result from direct heat from flames such as those from lighters, matches, candles, stoves, and so on.
• Electrical Burns – These burns happen when someone touches or is exposed to an electrical current, which could result in electrocution. As a result, electrical current travels through the body and can damage the cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous systems. 
• Extended Sun Exposure – Most people get a sunburn at least once in their life after getting excessive exposure to the sun. Many times a sunburn can cause significant pain. Understand, if your sunburn is a result of negligence (like from a defective sun shirt) or unsafe working conditions, you have rights. 

Contact our team at Sabuco, Beck, Hansen & Massino now to discover your rights if someone else’s negligent actions led you to experience harm or pain.

Contact an Illinois Personal Injury Attorney for Professional Help Now

An Illinois personal injury attorney can help you if you suffer from a burn injury. Make sure you get the medical attention you deserve and then contact an experienced Illinois burn injury lawyer to schedule a consultation. We’re here to help you, even during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Burn accidents can happen at any time, and, as an essential service, we’re still here to assist you in any way. Schedule your legal consultation with Sabuco, Beck, Hansen & Massino now.