RT Journal
A1 Cooper M, Holle R, Lopez R
T1 REcommendations for lightning safety
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 1999
FD September 22
VO 282
IS 12
SP 1132
OP 1133
DO 10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-282-12-jbk0922
UL http://dx.doi.org/10-1001/pubs.JAMA-ISSN-0098-7484-282-12-jbk0922
AB 
To the Editor: For 35 years (1959-1994), lightning
has been the second largest storm-related cause of death in the United States,
exceeded only by flash floods.1 Lightning
kills approximately 100 people each year and is responsible for 5 to 10 times
more injuries.2 The sequelae of lightning
injury are not well appreciated either by the lay public or by many physicians.
Many survivors of lightning injury complain of chronic pain syndromes, sympathetic
nervous system injury, sleep disturbances, and neurocognitive deficits.2- 3 Because people who are struck
by lightning are most often healthy and productive young adults, lightning
strike injuries represent a significant source of disability.1- 3