Nearly one million people seek treatment for burns every year in the United States. In 2006, 3,245 people lost their lives and 16, 400 were injured as a result of fire. Although the number of deaths and injuries attributed to fire has decreased in recent years, the cost associated with treating burns has increased substantially. Fire deaths still rank as fifth for the leading causes of unintentional injury-related deaths. Of special concern is the fact that fire kills approximately 600 children under the age of 14 each year and injures approximately 14,000 others.

Burn injuries can result from a variety of causes. Some of the common mechanisms of burn injuries include scalds, contact burns, steam burns, electrical burns including lightening strikes, flash burns and chemical burns. Inhalation injuries account for 60 to 80% of the deaths attributed to fire.

Burn injuries may be classified in two ways: according to the amount of body surface burned and by the depth of the burn. As a general rule, the larger the amount of body surface burned, the greater the morbidity and mortality rates, and the more difficult the injury is to treat. Depth of burn is classified according to the layers of skin affected, as well as damage to underlying structures. Superficial burns involve only the epidermis, or outermost layer of skin, and generally heal without scarring. Partial-thickness wounds involve both the epidermis and parts of the dermis. Partial-thickness burns take longer to heal and may result in scarring. Full-thickness burns extend to the subcutaneous tissue and may involve underlying structures, such as tendon, muscle and bone. These burn injuries require intensive care and usually result in severe scarring.

Severe burn injuries carry the risk of infection, dehydration, shock, electrolyte or fluid imbalance and tissue swelling that can impede circulation and breathing. People who are severely burned are often cared for in specialized burn care centers, by medical professionals who are skilled in recognizing and treating the complications associated with burns.

As can be inferred from the above statistics, burns are a not-uncommon event. However, this makes them no less devastating. Burn injuries can lead to severe physical, emotional, psychological and social impairment. Burn injuries can also require lengthy treatment and rehabilitation that can add to the already enormous burden of these injuries. The costs associated with treating burn injuries can be overwhelming, leaving burn survivors with an insurmountable debt.

Care for burn victims is initially focused on helping the burn victim to survive the injury. Once survival is assured, attention then focuses on long-term treatment and rehabilitation. Because these injuries can be so physically devastating, severe burn injuries often require lengthy hospitalizations, followed by intensive rehabilitation. In addition to the physical care required, which can be exhaustive, the psychological and social toll of these types of injuries cannot be downplayed. Burn injuries have an enormous impact upon the burn survivors and those closest to them, raising several questions: What will be the long-term physical impact of the injury? Will there be permanent disfigurement? What care will be required in the coming weeks and months, if not years? Who will pay for required care? Will the burn survivor be able to resume their former occupation?

Legal issues associated with burn injuries are often overlooked in the initial period following such an injury. However, given the toll that such injuries can have on the lives and futures of burn victims, legal assistance is often required to assist the burn survivor and their loved ones to address financial issues and to seek recompense in cases where the injury was the fault of another. Seeking legal help early in the process can be of enormous benefit in easing the burden that burn injuries can exert on the injured and their family members.