BURNINJURY.ORG

Fire, electrical shock, hot wires, all of these things can burn you and all of them can happen very quickly.  How should a burn injury victim be handled in the period immediately after the incident happens?  A severe burn needs to be treated quickly and of course, someone should instantly dial 911.
While waiting for professional medical help to arrive you should take the following steps and precautions to help the burn injury victim:
1. If clothes are burning, smother the flames or roll the person on the ground.  Their instinct will be to run, but that will only worsen the fire. Do not apply any home remedies, including ice water, ointments, sprays or lotions.  The victim’s clothes may be stuck to them, do not remove this yourself, wait for medical help.
2.  A victim of a serious burn injury is likely to go into shock so be aware of these signs of shock.:   (a) nausea and vomiting; (b) shallow breathing that may be very fast; (c) the victim may be going into and out of consciousness and (d) a pulse that is faint, difficult to feel and yet is very fast.
While you wait for medical help and if the victim seems to be in shock, do not move them, raise the feet and cover with a blanket or loose sheet if there is a significant burned area. They may want sips of water, but NEVER give alcohol to a burn victim.
At this point, the medical team will be taking over and will be doing the best they can for the victim.  This is also the point at which the victim’s family should consider obtaining legal as well as medical advice.  Burns can life threatening and debilitating.  The medical costs for care and rehabilitation are extremely high and there may arise a question of the victim’s ability to work at his/her previous level.  An attorney with experience in the area of burn injuries is the person who will be able to advise you concerning possible further action to benefit the victim.  Call Attorney Robert Brenner at 1-800-669-7700.  On the internet at www.burninjury.org.