According to the American Burn Association[1], in 2015, there were 486,000 burn injuries in the United States. 40,000 of those burn injuries required hospitalization. Burn injuries are the number two leading cause of all accidental deaths in the US, behind automobile accidents. Fires and other accidents involving burn injuries can be tremendously painful and often leave behind permanent scars. Excision, skin grafts and physical therapy for burn patients can mean a long recovery and extensive pain. Personal injury claims involving fires and burns are often filed on behalf of people who have been burned as a result of another person’s negligence.
Factors Causing Florida Burn injuries
Burn injuries can be caused by a variety of factors including injuries from steam burns, contact burns, scalds and electrical burns which include lightening strikes, chemical and flash burns. Common causes of Clearwater burn injuries include:
• Fire/flame
• Scalding from steam or hot liquids
• Touching hot objects
• Electrical burns
• Chemical burns
• Car accidents
• Playing with matches
• Unsafe use of firecrackers
• Kitchen accidents
Categories of Clearwater Burn Injuries
There are four categories of burn injuries:
• First-degree burns usually affect the outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis. A first-degree burn tends to be moist and red in color. A burn of this nature is generally resolved within a week.
• Superficial second-degree burnpenetrates the entire epidermal layer of skin and extends down to the next skin layer, known as the dermis. A second-degree burn[2] may appear moist and pinkish in color. A superficial second-degree burn may heal spontaneously, often within two weeks.
• Full thickness second-degree burns differ from the superficial second degree burns because the tissue destruction runs deeper into the dermis. A burn of this nature will be dry and whitish in color. It will not produce red blanches with an application of pressure. This type of burn may take three to four weeks to heal.
• Third-degree burns are the most severe classification. This occurs when the burn destroyed both the epidermal and dermal layers of skin and extended down to the subcutaneous tissue. These burns may be physically depressed, charred, and often leather-like in appearance.These burns are very serious and often require skin grafting[3] or other reconstructive procedures.
Preventing Burn Injuries
The prevention of fire and burn injuries can be extremely effective if done right. Statistics show that most of the burn injury accidents could have been prevented if the necessary safety measures were in place. This includes smoke alarms which are tested regularly. Statistics also show that smoke alarms can really save lives, however, only 75% of homes proved to have a working smoke alarm installed. It is highly recommended that you install a smoke alarm in each room of your home or apartment.
Another thing to keep in mind in regards to burn injury accidents is that most home fires start in the kitchen. To prevent fire and burn injuries:
• Always stay in the kitchen while you are cooking.
• Keep easily flammable items away from the hot surfaces.
• Never cook while at the same time holding or playing with a child or a pet.
• Keep small children and pets away from hot surfaces or easily flammable items.
Clearwater Burn Injury Attorneys
When a burn injury happens as the result of faulty equipment, an unsafe work environment, or even children left unattended with dangerous products, legal action may be needed to recover damages for victims and their families. On the outset, they may not seem like a big deal, but burns of any degree are serious injuries. A burn scar lasts forever and not only disfigures one’s appearance but can sometimes create a permanent feeling of increased pain and sensitivity. The residual damage can cause a significant amount of emotional distress. Although money will not cause a burn or scar to disappear, the law has created a system to compensate you for the damages these injuries have caused.
If you were involved in an accident or otherwise sustained burn injuries, it is important to speak to a Clearwater burn injury attorney as soon as possible. At the Dolman Law Group, our skilled burn injury attorneys investigate your case and protect your rights under Florida law to make sure you receive all of the compensation to which you are entitled. Please call our office at 727-451-6900 today.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 3375
(727) 451-6900
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