According to the American Burn Association’s (ABA) National Burn Repository (NBR), there are roughly 486,000 burn injuries requiring medical treatment each year in the United States. There are about 3,275 deaths caused by fire or smoke inhalation. This total includes 2,745 residential fire fatalities, 310 car crash fire fatalities and 220 deaths caused by other sources. In addition, 40,000 hospitalizations that are related to burn injuries, including 30,000 at hospital burn centers.
Common Questions about Fire and Burn Injuries
Many people have questions when they suffer from fire or burn injuries. Here is a look at some of the most commonly asked questions regarding burns and fires.
Q1: How should a fire be reported?
Answer: If you are in a public building and notice that there is a fire, the first thing you need to do is locate the fire alarm and pull it. This will alert everyone in the building about the fire. After you have vacated the building safely, you should call your local fire department or dial 911. Tell the dispatcher the burning building’s address, how big the fire is and which area of the building is on fire.
Q2: Who is responsible for a burn or fire injury?
Answer: A number of parties may be held responsible for a burn or fire injury, including:
- The manufacturer of a defective product that results in a fire
- The driver of the vehicle who caused a fiery crash or accident
- A business owner who did not adhere to the guidelines of fire safety
- The property owner or landlord, in cases of residential fires
- Any individual who causes an accident due to failure to act with reasonable care or because of negligence
Q3: How can I prove liability for my injuries?
Answer: It is not quite that easy to prove liability in a burn injury case as there could be several parties responsible for the accident that resulted in your burn injury. You should consult a lawyer to find out what evidence to look for. Your attorney can assist you in determining who is responsible for your injuries, and whether or not they were caused by a work-related accident, defective product, etc.
Q4: Can I get compensation for my injuries?
Answer: The answer to this question is yes. Depending on your case details, you may be able to obtain monetary compensation for your injuries. Damages for a burn injury case – or financial settlement received in a trial or settlement – are typically dependent on how the accident took place, how severe your burns are and how your life has been affected by your injuries. If you or a loved suffered burn injuries as a result of someone’s negligence or a defective product, you should immediately seek the help of a qualified personal injury attorney at the well-known Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff Law Firm at 212-344-1000. The first meeting with us is free. At RMFW Law you are strong hands since we have won millions of dollars for past clients and you too can be on this incredible list. You need to call us though, you need to take that initiative.