Burns, Reporting of

As defined by the law, a “burn injury” means any of the following:

• Second or third degree burns;
• Any burns to the upper respiratory tract or laryngeal edema due to the inhalation of super-heated air; or
• Any burn injury or wound that may result in death. ORC § 2921.22  (E)

“No physician, nurse or limited practitioner who, outside a hospital, sanitarium or other medical facility, attends or treats a person who has sustained a burn injury inflicted by an explosion or other incendiary device, or that shows evidence of having been inflicted in a violent, malicious or criminal manner, shall fail to report the burn injury immediately to the local arson bureau…or to local law enforcement authorities.” ORC § 2921.22  (E)

“No Manager, superintendent or other person in charge of a hospital, sanitarium or other medical facility in which a person is attended or treated for any burn injury inflicted by an explosion or other incendiary device or that shows evidence of having been inflicted in a violent, malicious or criminal manner, shall fail to report the burn injury immediately….” ORC § 2921.22  (E)

All reports must be in writing and filed with the office of the state fire marshal within three working days following treatment of the burn. ORC § 2921.22  (E)

“Anyone participating in the making of reports…shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability that otherwise might be incurred or imposed as a result of such actions. [That] notwithstanding, the physician/patient privilege is not a ground for excluding evidence regarding a person’s burn injury or the cause of the burn injury in any judicial proceeding resulting from any report….” ORC § 2921.22  (E)

One who negligently fails to report burns is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. However, one who knowingly fails to report burns is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree. ORC § 2921.22  (E)

(See also: CRIMES, REQUIRED TO REPORT )

Burns, Reporting of