At the Harvey & Foote Law Firm, some of the most difficult cases we have ever seen involved children who suffered burn injuries. A burn injury is excruciatingly painful, and it is one of the most painful to survive. Watching a child go through this kind of turmoil is difficult for any person involved in the case.
Unfortunately, burn injury cases are common in New Mexico. As for national statistics, according to the American Burn Association, about 500,000 burn accidents require treatment at a medical facility each year. Unfortunately, thousands of those burn injuries are suffered by children. One study by the Journal of Burn Care and Research noted that 27 kids are taken to the hospital each day for burn injuries. That’s over one child an hour.
Children under the age of 5 tend to be the most at risk. These children have double the risk of suffering a burn injury as compared to children from 5 to 15 years of age. Children under 5 tend to have thinner, more sensitive skin, and they are also more likely to get into trouble with a dangerous object they have not encountered before.
Toddlers and babies who have yet to reach the age of 2 are more likely to suffer burns on their wrists and hands due to coming into contact with a hot vapor or liquid. Meanwhile, children between the ages of 3 and 17 have a higher likelihood of getting burned by fire. Boys have a higher likelihood of suffering a burn injury than girls.
No matter how careful New Mexico parents are, it is still possible that their children could suffer a burn injury. Whenever such an accident occurs, it is important to investigate why it happened to determine what party may be at fault and potentially liable for the injuries. Indeed, this is a vital step in evaluating a personal injury claim relating to a burn injury. If a negligent party can be identified, then injured individuals may be able to pursue claims for damages relating to the high cost of their medical care and other types of financial damages.
