Burn Injuries: Causes and Modern Treatments

The human body is incredibly resilient. It can adapt to and bounce back from an incredible range of traumas. That includes things like broken bones, bacterial infections, and so much more. It also includes burns.

Of all the injuries that we can suffer, burns might be the most lingering.

With their unique ability to scar, burn injuries are among the most devastating injuries you can face. They don’t just hurt, either. They linger on long after the initial incident, leaving marks and even pain that can last a lifetime.

If you or someone you care about has suffered a burn injury, understanding what caused it and how modern medicine can help is important, not just for recovery but for reclaiming your life.

Burn injuries in the US

Burns are among the most common injuries in the United States. Here are some eye-opening statistics from the American Burn Association (ABA):

• 1 out of every 10,000 people in the US will require inpatient hospitalization in a burn center every year.
• In 2023, 32,540 people were hospitalized in burn care centers.
• The South saw the greatest increase in burn cases and the highest number.
• Men are most likely to suffer from burn injuries (66% of patients are male).
• 61% of burns happened at a private residence.
• 26% of burn cases involving inhalation led to death.
• Arms (45%), hands (42%), and legs (40%) are the most common areas to suffer burn injuries.
• Over 7,600 burn injuries in 2023 included additional trauma injuries, extending hospital stays by an average of 9.7 days and tripling the mortality rate.

As you can see, burn injuries are both common and debilitating. Understanding what causes burn injuries and what treatments exist to help you heal can make a difference in your experience.

What causes burn injuries?

Burns happen in an instant, but their effects unfold over time. They’re often the result of negligence, accidents that could’ve been avoided if someone had just been more careful. The most common causes include:

• Fires and explosions: These are often tied to car accidents, industrial mishaps, or faulty products. When flames are involved, even an instant of exposure can lead to third-degree burns. The ABA notes that 45% of all burns are due to flash or flame, and 94% of these are accidental.
• Scalds: Hot liquids (think spilled coffee or boiling water) can cause serious burns. Even undiluted hot water from the tap at home can be dangerous. Homes with young kids or workplaces with hot machinery see this far too often. Parents need to pay close attention here. Scalds account for 58% of pediatric cases, according to information from the ABA.
• Electrical burns: You might not think about the hidden dangers of exposed wiring or defective appliances until it’s too late. Electrical burns are particularly insidious, often damaging tissue beneath the skin. According to one study, electrical burns are responsible for roughly 1,000 deaths each year. Over 30,000 people each year are involved in non-fatal shock incidents that cause serious burns. And about 20% of all electrical injuries (including burn injuries) involve children.
• Chemical burns: Harsh cleaning agents or industrial chemicals don’t just sting. They can eat away your skin, causing permanent damage. According to a study that spanned 11 years, chemical burns account for up to 8.5% of all burn injuries admitted to the hospital. Roughly 55% of cases are caused by alkaline chemicals, while 26 to 74% are caused by acids. Bleach and laundry soap are among the most common problems, particularly when it comes to chemical burn injuries in children.

From chemicals to exposure to flames, burn injuries come in all shapes and forms. Because of that, burn injury treatments need to be just as varied.

Modern treatments for burn injuries

As long as humans have existed, we’ve had to learn to treat burn injuries. From flame and flash exposure to lightning strikes, burn treatments span a wide range of types, techniques, and technologies. And there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here. The care you’ll need depends on the severity of the burn, but modern medicine has come a long way in offering hope where there was once none.

• Immediate care: The first step is stopping the damage—cooling the burn, cleaning it, and protecting it from infection. Time is critical here.
• Skin grafts: For deep burns, your doctor might use healthy skin from another part of your body (or even lab-grown skin) to cover and heal the wound. It’s a remarkable process, but it has its challenges.
• Laser therapy and reconstructive surgery: Advances in lasers and surgical techniques mean scars can be minimized, and lost functionality can be restored in many cases. For burns on the face or hands, these treatments can be life-changing.
• Physical therapy: Burn injuries often limit movement, especially when they involve joints. Therapy helps you regain strength and flexibility.
• Psychological support: Let’s not forget the emotional toll. For many burn survivors, counseling or therapy is as essential as the physical care they

Burn injuries don’t just cause pain and physical damage. They can leave physical, mental, and emotional scars that last a lifetime, and sometimes those costs are hard to see.

The hidden costs of burn injuries

Treatments for burns are expensive, often stretching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars for severe cases. Skin grafts, surgeries, and prolonged hospital stays don’t come cheap. But beyond the bills, there’s the cost you can’t put a price on: your quality of life.

Disfigurement can change how the world sees you—and how you see yourself. It’s not just about appearance, either. It’s about the impact of that disfigurement on your work, relationships, and even your self-confidence. In legal terms, this disfigurement can significantly increase the damages you might be entitled to in a personal injury case to offset how it has affected your life.

The extreme cost associated with burn injuries makes pursuing claims, when possible, more important than ever. If someone else’s negligence caused your injuries, such as might be the case if you suffered burns from a car crash or workplace accident, you need to learn more about your ability to recover compensation. The damages that you might be able to collect can help pay for your treatment, your lost earnings, and other losses related to the injuries.

Moving forward

At Smith McBroom, we understand that burn injuries are more than skin-deep. They affect every layer of your life, and you deserve an answer that reflects the full scope of your loss. If you’re dealing with a burn injury, let’s work together to hold the responsible party accountable and get you the resources you need to heal. Contact us today to schedule your free case evaluation.