NJ Scalding Injury Lawyers
Scalding Injuries
A person can suffer from a variety of burn injuries, including those that are categorized as scalding injuries. A scalding injury occurs when a person suffers a burn from hot liquid or steam. Burns caused by scalding injuries are severe, and can be classified as second-degree burns that can scar and take an extended period of time to fully recover from.
According to the American Burn Association, there are an estimated 500,000 burn injuries that receive medical treatment each year. These injuries range from relatively minor, such as those burn injuries that may heal completely with minimal scarring, to serious burn injuries that never fully heal, leave significant scarring, and can even require skin grafts to repair severely damaged areas. Scalding injuries in particular are especially problematic in that they are the leading cause of burn injuries.
Scalding injuries occur out of negligence. If a child is left unattended in a bathtub and an inattentive parent or caregiver is unaware of the tub's water temperature, then the child can be significantly burned by hot water. In the incident of a hot water heater's temperature being too high and heats water at a level that is above the recommended setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, users of that water run the risk of scalding themselves when coming into contact with the heated water. In fact, it is estimated that at least 5,000 burns each year are caused when heated tap water scalds the skin.
Other ways of being scalded include burns caused by food or other hot objects. Heated liquids always pose the risk of causing scalding injuries. These liquids can take the form of coffee, tea, or even a sauce poured over pasta. Hot objects, such as pots and pans, can also cause scalding injury. Household appliances, such as clothes irons and curling irons, can seriously harm a person, particularly a child, if the item is not handled responsibly, or is left unattended. Faulty products are also a cause of burn injuries. For example, an extension cord, even when properly used, may become extremely hot to the touch, and can pose the risk of burning any would-be handler, particularly a curious child. Product malfunction here takes the form of insulated cording that is not strong enough to withstand the heat of the electric current, and thus results in the occurrence of a burn.
Scalding injuries are often born out of negligence. Though many instances are true accidents, accountability still needs to be claimed. If you or a loved one has recently been the victim of a scalding injury, please don't hesitate to contact the New Jersey burn injury lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein. Though it may not seem as if compensatory damages can be attained, there are many details to consider when attributing blame in a scalding injury case. Call our skilled attorneys today for a free consultation, and we will examine every detail of your case, and will seek monetary compensation on your behalf to help cover the costs of medical bills and other damages resulting from your accident.
Contact our team at Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation and let our smart, aggressive legal representation go to work for you today.