{"id":11701,"date":"2026-07-29T20:06:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T20:06:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/severe-burn-injuries\/rule-of-nines-burn-severity\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T23:53:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T23:53:47","slug":"rule-of-nines-burn-severity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/severe-burn-injuries\/rule-of-nines-burn-severity\/","title":{"rendered":"Rule of Nines: How Burn Severity Is Measured"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-dark\" style=\"min-height:460px;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-secondary-background-color has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background\" alt=\"Burn-injury survivor seated in a calm rehabilitation setting, treated with dignity.\" src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/burn-injury-survivor-seated-in-a-calm-rehabilitation-setting-photo-1.jpg\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\"\/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"chg-eyebrow has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\">Severe Burn Injuries<\/p><h1 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">The Rule of Nines: How Doctors Measure the Size of a Serious Burn<\/h1><p class=\"has-base-color has-text-color wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(0.875rem, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 0.625), 1.25rem);\">When a burn is severe, the percentage of the body it covers shapes the treatment, the recovery, and the true cost of the injury. Here is what that measurement means in plain language.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Request a Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.5rem\">By CHG Lawyers \u00b7 Published August 02, 2026<\/p>\n\n<article lang=\"en\">\n\n<h2>How the Rule of Nines Measures Burn Severity and Total Body Surface Area<\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>rule of nines<\/strong> is a fast method doctors use to estimate how much of the body a burn covers. It divides the body into regions worth 9% (or multiples of 9%) of your total body surface area, or TBSA. That single percentage helps a care team decide how serious the burn is and what treatment it needs right away.<\/p>\n<p>If you or someone you love has a severe burn, you may have seen a number like &#8220;35% TBSA&#8221; in a medical record. This page explains what that number means in plain language. We cover the adult chart, a simple worked example, the method&#8217;s limits, and what high burn severity can mean for recovery and a legal claim.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/burn-injury-patient-meeting-a-rehabilitation-clinician-in-a-photo.jpg\" alt=\"Burn injury patient meeting a rehabilitation clinician in a calm private treatment room.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>What the Rule of Nines Is (and Why Doctors Use It)<\/h2>\n<p>The rule of nines is a quick bedside way to estimate the percentage of body surface affected by a burn. Emergency and burn teams use it because they need a fast, reliable number before any detailed measurement is possible.<\/p>\n<p>That percentage matters right away. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/chemm.hhs.gov\/burns.htm\">HHS CHEMM<\/a>, burns larger than about 20\u201325% TBSA usually require IV fluid resuscitation. The number also helps decide whether someone needs a specialized burn center instead of a general hospital.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">StatPearls medical reference<\/a> explains that the rule of nines measures partial-thickness and full-thickness burns \u2014 the deeper, more serious kinds. In the catastrophic burn cases our attorneys handle, this TBSA number often becomes a key part of the medical story of how life-altering the injury is.<\/p>\n<h2>How the Body Is Divided Into &#8216;Nines&#8217; (the Adult Chart)<\/h2>\n<p>In adults, the body is split into sections worth 9% or a multiple of 9%. Here is the standard adult breakdown from <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">StatPearls<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Head and neck:<\/strong> 9%<\/li>\n<li><strong>Each arm:<\/strong> 9% (so both arms together are 18%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Front of the torso:<\/strong> 18%<\/li>\n<li><strong>Back of the torso:<\/strong> 18%<\/li>\n<li><strong>Each leg:<\/strong> 18% (so both legs together are 36%)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Genitals\/perineum:<\/strong> about 1%<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Add those up and you get 100%. Front and back halves are counted separately. For example, one whole arm is 9%, so the front of that arm is about 4.5%.<\/p>\n<p>The &#8220;9 percent rule for burns&#8221; is just another name for the rule of nines. Both terms describe the same chart.<\/p>\n<h2>A Simple Worked Example of Calculating TBSA<\/h2>\n<p>To calculate TBSA, you add up the percentages for each burned region. Here is a clear, non-graphic example.<\/p>\n<p>Say a burn covers one whole arm and the entire front of the torso. Using the adult chart:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>One whole arm = 9%<\/li>\n<li>Front of the torso = 18%<\/li>\n<li><strong>Total = 27% TBSA<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Partial areas are estimated as fractions. If only the front half of an arm is burned, a clinician counts about 4.5% instead of the full 9%.<\/p>\n<p>For small or scattered burns, there&#8217;s an easier shortcut. The patient&#8217;s own palm, including the fingers, equals roughly 1% of TBSA, per <a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">StatPearls<\/a>. A care team can &#8220;count palms&#8221; to estimate patchy burns without a full chart.<\/p>\n<h2>How Burn Severity Is Classified Overall: Degree Plus Depth<\/h2>\n<p>TBSA answers &#8220;how much&#8221; of the body is burned. Burn degree answers &#8220;how deep.&#8221; Both matter, and doctors use them together to judge severity.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s how the degrees break down:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>First-degree (superficial):<\/strong> Affects only the outer skin layer. Think of a mild sunburn. These usually aren&#8217;t counted in TBSA severity scoring.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Second-degree (partial thickness):<\/strong> Reaches deeper layers. These burns blister and are very painful.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Third-degree (full thickness):<\/strong> Destroys the full thickness of skin. Nerves may be damaged, and the area can look leathery or white.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fourth-degree:<\/strong> Extends into muscle, tendon, or bone. This is the most catastrophic type.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/burncenters.com\/community\/what-is-the-rule-of-nines-and-how-can-it-be-applied-in-burn-care\/\">Burn Centers of America<\/a> explains, the deeper second-, third-, and fourth-degree burns are the ones evaluated for severity. Third- and fourth-degree burns often need skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. You can learn more on our <a href=\"\/resources\/severe-burn-injuries\/\">skin grafts and reconstructive surgery<\/a> resource.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Children Are Measured Differently (and the Rule of Tens)<\/h2>\n<p>Children are measured differently because their body proportions differ from adults. A child&#8217;s head is proportionally larger and their legs are smaller, so the standard adult chart doesn&#8217;t fit.<\/p>\n<p>For children, clinicians often use the <strong>Lund-Browder chart<\/strong>, which adjusts each region&#8217;s percentage by age. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/skin-problems-and-treatments\/what-is-the-rule-of-nines\">WebMD<\/a> notes that the rule of nines is designed for adults and gets adjusted for kids.<\/p>\n<p>You may also hear about the <strong>rule of tens<\/strong>. This is a modern shortcut some teams use to estimate a starting point for fluid resuscitation in adults. It&#8217;s a treatment tool, not a replacement for measuring TBSA. Your treating physicians handle the exact calculations.<\/p>\n<h2>Limits of the Rule of Nines<\/h2>\n<p>The rule of nines is an estimate, not a precise measurement. It gives care teams a fast starting number, but it has clear limits.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s less accurate for young children, for people with obesity, and for scattered or irregular burns. It also measures only extent \u2014 not depth, not inhalation injury, and not long-term impact. A large but shallow burn and a smaller but deeper burn can affect a person&#8217;s life very differently.<\/p>\n<p>For definitive care, clinicians often switch to the more detailed Lund-Browder chart. That&#8217;s why the number in an emergency record and the number in a burn-center record can differ slightly. Both are honest estimates made at different stages.<\/p>\n<h2>What a High TBSA and Burn Severity Can Mean<\/h2>\n<p>A larger, deeper burn generally means more intensive treatment, a longer recovery, and higher medical risk. We share this factually and with care, never to frighten.<\/p>\n<p>Many families ask whether a 40% burn is fatal. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/chemm.hhs.gov\/burns.htm\">HHS CHEMM<\/a>, burns larger than roughly 30\u201340% TBSA may be fatal without treatment. But that&#8217;s a threshold about the need for urgent care \u2014 not a prediction for any one person. Outcomes depend on many factors, including age, burn depth, whether there&#8217;s an inhalation injury, and how quickly specialized care begins.<\/p>\n<p>Modern burn centers save many people with large burns. Still, severe burns often lead to permanent scarring, loss of function, and the need for lifelong care. That reality is what a high TBSA number really represents for a survivor and their family.<\/p>\n<h2>What Burn Severity Means for a Legal Claim<\/h2>\n<p>Burn severity in the medical record helps document how catastrophic an injury is and how it will affect someone for life. The TBSA percentage and burn degree become objective evidence of the harm.<\/p>\n<p>That documented severity connects directly to the categories of loss in a claim:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Emergency and hospital care<\/li>\n<li>Surgeries, including skin grafts and reconstruction<\/li>\n<li>Lost income and lost earning ability<\/li>\n<li>Permanent scarring and disfigurement<\/li>\n<li>Future medical and daily-living needs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Severe burns come from many causes we handle: fires and explosions, hot-liquid scalds, chemical and electrical burns, <a href=\"\/resources\/severe-burn-injuries\/\">truck crashes<\/a>, and unsafe-property incidents. If a burn happened because a property owner ignored a known hazard, that may also be a claim.<\/p>\n<p>Florida sets legal deadlines. Under <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0000-0099\/0095\/Sections\/0095.11.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a795.11<\/a>, many negligence claims that arose on or after March 24, 2023 must generally be filed within two years. Florida also follows a modified comparative-negligence (shared fault) rule under <a href=\"http:\/\/www.leg.state.fl.us\/statutes\/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&amp;URL=0700-0799\/0768\/Sections\/0768.81.html\">Fla. Stat. \u00a7768.81<\/a>. A person found more than 50% at fault generally recovers nothing.<\/p>\n<p>We can&#8217;t promise any result. What we can do is review your situation. To learn more about compensation categories, see our <a href=\"\/resources\/severe-burn-injuries\/\">severe burn injuries<\/a> resource. For guidance on choosing a lawyer, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.floridabar.org\/public\/consumer\/\">The Florida Bar<\/a> offers free consumer help.<\/p>\n<h2>Talk With a Catastrophic Burn Injury Attorney<\/h2>\n<p>If you or a family member survived a serious burn, you don&#8217;t have to sort through the medical and legal questions alone. We handle catastrophic, life-altering burn injuries, and we know how heavy this time is.<\/p>\n<p>Our attorneys are admitted to the Florida Bar and take serious injury cases nationwide. We offer service in English and Spanish, and every consultation is free and confidential.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Request your free, confidential case evaluation<\/a><\/strong> to talk with our team about what happened and your options.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/burn-survivor-sharing-an-everyday-family-moment-during-recov-photo.png\" alt=\"Burn survivor sharing an everyday family moment during recovery.\" style=\"border-radius:8px;width:100%;aspect-ratio:16\/9;object-fit:cover\" width=\"1376\" height=\"768\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is the rule of nines for burns?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rule of nines is a fast method that estimates how much of the body a burn covers, dividing the body into regions worth 9% or multiples of 9% of total body surface area.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is the 9 percent rule for burns?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 9 percent rule is another name for the rule of nines. In adults, the head is 9%, each arm 9%, each leg 18%, and the front and back of the torso 18% each.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>How are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burns classified?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First-degree burns affect only the outer skin, second-degree burns reach deeper layers and blister, and third-degree burns destroy the full thickness of skin.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>What is the rule of 10 for burns?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rule of tens is a modern shortcut some care teams use to estimate a starting point for IV fluid resuscitation in adult burn patients.<\/p><\/details><details class=\"wp-block-details chg-faq is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Is a 40% burn fatal?<\/summary><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A 40% TBSA burn is very serious, and HHS CHEMM notes burns over about 30\u201340% may be fatal without treatment. Outcomes depend on age, depth, inhalation injury, and prompt specialized care.<\/p><\/details><\/article>\n<footer class=\"disclaimer\"><em>This is attorney advertising. The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.<\/em><\/footer>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-surface-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">How the Rule of Nines Divides the Body (Adults)<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Head &amp; Neck \u2014 9%<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The entire head and neck together count as roughly 9% of total body surface area in an adult.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Each Arm \u2014 9%<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each full arm counts as about 9%, so both arms together represent about 18% of the body.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Each Leg \u2014 18%<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each full leg counts as about 18%, making the legs the largest single regions in the calculation.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Front &amp; Back of Torso \u2014 18% Each<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The front of the torso and the back of the torso each count as about 18%, with the groin as the final 1%.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-32197852 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:8px;padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-base-color has-text-color\">The Rule of Nines Works Differently for Children<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A child&#x27;s head is proportionally larger and their legs smaller than an adult&#x27;s, so medical teams adjust the percentages or use other tools for young patients. If your child suffered a severe burn, do not assume adult figures apply \u2014 ask the treating physicians how they measured the injury.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Talk With Our Team<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Why the Burn Percentage Matters to Your Claim<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--info\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It Signals Injury Severity<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A larger surface area often means more serious burns, higher risk of complications, and more intensive care \u2014 all central to a catastrophic-injury case.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--heart\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It Reflects Long-Term Care Needs<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Severe burns can require skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and years of rehabilitation. The measurement helps document the scope of what recovery will demand.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--document\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It Becomes Part of the Record<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The percentage recorded by emergency and hospital teams is medical evidence. Preserving those records early can matter to how your injury is understood later.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span class=\"chg-icon chg-icon--shield\"><\/span><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It Helps Establish Full Damages<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understanding the true extent of a burn allows a firm to pursue compensation that accounts for lifelong physical, emotional, and financial impact.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-surface-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-583d630a wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">When a Severe Burn May Point to Someone Else&#x27;s Negligence<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-f56f613f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Truck &amp; Vehicle Crashes<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">High-speed collisions and fuel fires can cause devastating burns. When another driver or a commercial carrier was at fault, families may have a claim.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fires on Unsafe Property<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Missing smoke detectors, blocked exits, or ignored fire-code violations can turn a manageable fire into a catastrophe on someone else&#x27;s property.<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-radius:8px;box-shadow:0 4px 14px rgba(0,0,0,0.08);padding-top:1.5rem;padding-bottom:1.5rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Explosions &amp; Chemical Exposure<\/h3><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Industrial, electrical, and chemical burns often trace back to unsafe conditions or equipment that should have been maintained or warned about.<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull has-base-color has-primary-background-color has-text-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-4d466591 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:3rem;padding-bottom:3rem;padding-left:1.5rem;padding-right:1.5rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-base-color has-text-color\">If You or a Loved One Suffered a Catastrophic Burn, We Are Here to Listen<\/h2>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-0aa01211 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button chg-cta\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/contact-us\/\">Get Your Free Case Evaluation<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related practice areas<\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"\/resources\/severe-burn-injuries\/skin-grafts-reconstructive-surgery-burns\/\">Skin Grafts and Reconstructive Surgery After a Severe Burn: What to Expect<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/severe-burn-injuries\/lifetime-cost-severe-burn-injury\/\">The Lifetime Cost of a Severe Burn Injury: Care, Rehab, and Lost Income<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"\/resources\/severe-burn-injuries\/damages-catastrophic-burn-injury-claim\/\">What Damages Can You Recover in a Catastrophic Burn Injury Claim?<\/a><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Rule of Nines estimates burn severity by percentage of body surface. See how it works, a worked example, and what a high TBSA means.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"parent":7931,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"chg_canonical":"","chg_lang":"","chg_hreflang":"[{\"hreflang\": \"en\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/severe-burn-injuries\/rule-of-nines-burn-severity\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"es\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/es\/quemaduras-graves\/regla-nueve-quemaduras\/\"}, {\"hreflang\": \"x-default\", \"href\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/severe-burn-injuries\/rule-of-nines-burn-severity\/\"}]","chg_jsonld":"[{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"speakable\": {\"@type\": \"SpeakableSpecification\", \"cssSelector\": [\"article > p:first-of-type\", \".wp-block-details p\", \"article > h1\"]}, \"about\": [{\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Burn\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Burn\"}, {\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Rule of Nines\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q95595280\"}], \"mentions\": [{\"@type\": \"Thing\", \"name\": \"Lund-Browder chart\", \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.wikidata.org\/wiki\/Q18350841\"}], \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Igor Hernandez\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/spinaladvocacygroup.com\/attorneys\/igor-hernandez\/\", \"jobTitle\": \"Attorney\", \"sameAs\": [\"https:\/\/www.floridabar.org\/directories\/find-mbr\/profile\/?num=106386\", \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/igorh\/\", \"https:\/\/profiles.superlawyers.com\/florida\/miami\/lawyer\/igor-hernandez\/cd5f52fd-6cf1-4c47-8c6e-5e8f339a380d.html\"]}, \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"CHG Personal Injury Lawyers\", \"@id\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/resources\/#organization\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/chglawyers.com\/\"}, \"reviewedBy\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Igor Hernandez\", \"url\": \"https:\/\/spinaladvocacygroup.com\/attorneys\/igor-hernandez\/\", \"jobTitle\": \"Attorney\", \"sameAs\": [\"https:\/\/www.floridabar.org\/directories\/find-mbr\/profile\/?num=106386\", \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/igorh\/\", \"https:\/\/profiles.superlawyers.com\/florida\/miami\/lawyer\/igor-hernandez\/cd5f52fd-6cf1-4c47-8c6e-5e8f339a380d.html\"]}, \"inLanguage\": \"en\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the rule of nines for burns?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The rule of nines is a fast method that estimates how much of the body a burn covers, dividing the body into regions worth 9% or multiples of 9% of total body surface area.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the 9 percent rule for burns?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The 9 percent rule is another name for the rule of nines. In adults, the head is 9%, each arm 9%, each leg 18%, and the front and back of the torso 18% each.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How are 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree burns classified?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"First-degree burns affect only the outer skin, second-degree burns reach deeper layers and blister, and third-degree burns destroy the full thickness of skin.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the rule of 10 for burns?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The rule of tens is a modern shortcut some care teams use to estimate a starting point for IV fluid resuscitation in adult burn patients.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is a 40% burn fatal?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"A 40% TBSA burn is very serious, and HHS CHEMM notes burns over about 30\u201340% may be fatal without treatment. 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