For many people in Missouri and Illinois, the thought of being trapped in a fire is an understandable fear. Unfortunately, that fear becomes a reality for a number of Americans who suffer significant burn injuries in explosions and fires each year. Burn injuries are among the most painful that a person can endure and often have lifelong repercussions. This is one reason why researchers spend a large number of time and resources working to improve the methods of treating this type of personal injury.
A large percentage of those who suffer burn injuries are soldiers who serve overseas, especially those on duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. Most of these burn injuries are caused by improvised explosive devices, also known as IEDs. In fact, an Army representative reports that burns caused by IEDs are responsible for anywhere from 5 to 20 percent of active combat injuries. Of course, as many people here at home are aware, this kind of injury is not exclusive to soldiers. The American Burn Association has said that approximately 450,000 individuals are treated in emergency rooms and hospitals for burn injuries on an annual basis.
One researcher reveals that there have not been many significant advancements in the method for treating burns over the past 20 years. Considering the sheer number of people whose lives are affected by these painful injuries, he feels that there is a great need to develop better treatment methods as soon as possible.
In an effort to make this happen, doctors are conducting clinical trials involving stem cells in another state. The hope is that they will pioneer methods to use donated stem cells to restore a burn victim’s skin tissue without the need for—or at least a reduced need for—painful skin graft surgeries. This could also hopefully lower the amount of scarring that burn victims would suffer.
Many of those who are treated for burn injuries request, along with their medical care providers, some fort of treatment that does not require painful skin grafts. If this new research into using stem cells for burn treatments proves successful, it would revolutionize burn injury care. The studies currently being conducted center mostly on those with deep, second-degree burns. Adult stem cells are obtained from the bone marrow of donors and then injected beneath a special wound dressing to help stimulate growth of skin in both the inner and outer layers.
While this research is certainly exciting, results from it may be a long time in coming for those who have already suffered serious burn injuries. Our personal injury law firm is available for consultation via telephone at 1-888-586-7041 for those injured in fires and explosions who wish to learn more about their legal rights in seeking financial restitution to help pay for the burn treatments they need now. No one should have to suffer due to another person’s negligence, which is why personal injury and wrongful death laws exist to help restore innocent victims to the same economic level as before an accident caused their injuries. Please contact us today to learn more about the steps you can take as you recover both emotionally and physically.
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Sources: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/health-care/article8112063.html
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