Fire and Burn Injury
Stay Safe While You Cook This Thanksgiving
| November 23rd, 2015
It only takes one bite to know that flash frying a turkey is an effective and tasty way to cook your bird for Thanksgiving. If this is your plan, you should be aware of the risks of suffering a fire and burn injury while frying a turkey.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) estimates that each Thanksgiving, as many as 43,000 fires are reported in the United States. Roughly 1,000 of those fires are the result of accidents while frying turkeys. Last year in California alone, more than 12 fires that were linked to turkey frying accidents resulted in insurance claims.
In order to help keep Americans safe while they cook this year, the USFA has complied a list of tips that you can use to prevent a turkey fryer fire. In addition to these suggestions, the legal staff at Berg Injury Lawyers urges you to consider these options as well if you’re going to fry a turkey.
- Cook outside- This will help to reduce the materials that can be exposed to flames in the event of a fire.
- Make sure the turkey is thawed and dried- Any water or ice that comes into contact with hot oil can cause the flammable liquid to splatter and possibly ignite on the burner.
- Have a fire extinguisher handy- Grease fires can be difficult to extinguish and can be aggravated with water, so be sure to have a fire extinguisher readily available any time you’re frying food.
The California personal injury attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers hope these tips help to keep you and your loved ones safe as you cook this Thanksgiving.
California Fire and Burn Injury Reported By 11 Workers Following Gas Line Explosion
| April 20th, 2015
Fires and explosions that occur on a job site pose a serious health and safety risk to workers in California. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that dozens of workers suffered a serious or fatal California fire and burn injury as the result of exposure to a blast or flames on the jobsite.
To bring the dangers fires and explosions at the workplace can pose into perspective, let’s take a look at the blast that occurred last week at a Pacific Gas & Electric Co. pipeline. Reports from NBC Bay Area News indicate the explosion sent 11 people to the hospital, four of whom remain in critical condition.
Officials say a worker was driving a front-loader in the vicinity of the pipeline moments before the blast occurred. An investigation into the incident has determined that a vehicle striking the pipeline probably prompted the blast and that the worker operating the machinery had failed to notify the gas company about the location of his work so the pipeline could be flagged for avoidance.
The investigation into the incident is continuing; however the California personal injury lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers would like to remind any worker who suffers a fire and burn injury on the job to consider speaking with a qualified legal representative prior to accepting a settlement. Feel free to call us anytime to discuss your legal needs by dialing (800) 400-BERG.
Alameda Fire Department Offers Safety Program to Elderly and Disabled
| April 14th, 2014
The dangers posed by residential fires, such as suffering a serious Burn Injury, should be a concern for the citizens of Alameda, California, considering the city as seen a growing occurrence of such incidents. In fact, the Alameda Fire Department (AFD) reports there were 137 fire calls in 2012, which rose to 143 responses the following year.
In order to help reduce the number of fires seen in Alameda, the AFD is offering a risk prevention program for the elderly and disabled who are living in the area. According to the Alameda Sun, the Safety Accessibility Program is being offered to low income individuals who are either over age 62 or who suffer from a disability.
Those who participate will receive both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed in their home free of charge. Firemen and volunteers will then regularly stop by to test and change batteries on the equipment.
Other safety equipment, such as handrails and lighting, may also be available for those who are in need.
The Alameda Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers applaud the efforts being made to improve fire safety in the region and encourage those who are in need to contact the AFD through Ruth Ann Crawford at 337-2133 to get signed up today!
Two California Workers Suffer Serious Chemical Burns
| March 10th, 2014
There are several types of burn injuries one can sustain, but one of the most difficult to treat is a chemical burn. Compounds and substances with an extremely low Ph, such as an acid, is capable of causing serious damage to the tissues of the body. The injuries may be further complicated by difficulties in neutralizing the substance to stop the burn.
Just last month, two workers at the Golden Eagle Refinery in Contra Costa County were left with a serious California Burn Injury after coming into contact with an acid while working.
According to an article from the San Francisco Chronicle, the accident happened February 12, when a pipe burst and splashed the acid on the two employees.
Both were immediately rushed to a local trauma center where they were able to receive treatment.
The facility where the accident occurred is now coming under fire for failing to protect workers’ safety after company officials refused to allow inspectors with the Chemical Safety Board onto the property. The company stated the injuries did not warrant a federal investigation and added they are instead cooperating with CalOSHA on the matter.
The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers are aware of the serious dangers chemical burns can pose and encourage anyone who has suffered such an injury to discuss their legal options with an attorney.
Worker Suffers Fire and Burn Injuries While Restoring Power In San Francisco Neighborhood
| January 20th, 2014
Workers in the utility industry face countless on-the-job dangers each day, but one of the industry’s greatest risks comes from the dangers of electrocution. Contact with high voltages of electricity can cause internal injuries, burns, and potentially death. The California Fire & Burn Injury Attorneys with Berg Injury Lawyers explain a San Francisco, California, worker recently suffered such injuries while responding to a power outage.
According to an article from ABC 7 News, the incident occurred just after 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 8, in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. Reports indicate roughly 600 residences and businesses were without power when the victim responded to the scene and quickly began work on a transformer. While testing the unit though, the victim came into contact with a live wire and was electrocuted.
As a result of the incident, the victim suffered burns to his skin that required he be transported to a local trauma center for further treatment.
Incidents like this leave many workers wondering what they should do in the event they suffer a burn injury while on-the-job. Berg Injury Lawyers and their team of California Personal Injury Attorneys say a victim of such an accident should first seek the medical treatment they need. Then, they should collect evidence of the accident before contacting an attorney to further discuss their legal rights and options.
Fresno Woman In Critical Condition After House Fire Thursday Morning
| December 23rd, 2013
December 20, 2013
House fires can be life-threatening situations for families—especially if they happen while a family is sleeping Although house fires are often accidental, hazards such as faulty wiring, defective household products, and flammable construction materials also can cause fires.
The Fire and Burn Injury Lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers know that when house fires are started because of the negligence of a construction company or product manufacturer, the victims may be eligible for compensation for their medical bills and lost wages.
The Fresno Bee reports that a local woman suffered serious injuries when a fire started in her home early Thursday morning near Dakota and West Avenues. The Fresno Fire Department received a call around 3 a.m. that a fire had trapped a person inside a home on the 3600 block of North Warren Avenue. When firefighters arrived, smoke and flames had engulfed the home. The responding firefighters then called for backup to help get the fire under control.
By the time firefighters reached the woman trapped in the home, they discovered that she was in cardiac arrest from smoke inhalation. Emergency workers performed CPR on the woman and started her heart was she was being transported to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. The woman is currently listed in critical condition.
A spokesman said that a man and two children in the home were able to escape the fire without injury. He went on to say the fire was electrical and caused $80,000 in damage to the home.
The Fresno Personal Injury Lawyers at Berg Injury Lawyers are here to stand up for the rights of people who suffered fire and burn injuries in house fires that were caused by another party’s negligence or carelessness. The firm also wishes the woman who was injured in this fire a complete recovery from her injuries.
Three Workers Suffer Serious Burn Injuries at Northern California Tesla Motors Factory
| November 25th, 2013
November 25, 2013
One of the most common types of injuries reported by employees today are burns resulting from fires or explosions in the workplace. In fact, the Bureau of labor Statistics estimates that a total of 132 workers lost their lives as a result of such accidents last year.
Three workers at the Tesla Motors factory in Fremont, California, were left seriously injured as a result of burns they suffered while on the job earlier this month. The California Fire and Burn Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers explain the incident happened just before noon on Wednesday, November 13.
Reports from MY FOX-Austin indicate the workers were performing their normal duties at the facility when an aluminum casting press suddenly malfunctioned, causing molten metal to spew from the equipment. Each of the workers suffered serious burns as a result of being scalded by the spilling liquid metal. They were transported to a local trauma center for further treatment to the injuries they sustained in the incident.
Doctors later determined one of the workers had sustained serious burns to his chest and upper body, while the other two victims sustained second-degree burns.
Berg Injury Lawyers and their team of California Personal Injury Attorneys are aware of how difficult recovering from serious burn injuries can be. That is why the firm is here to help anyone who has suffered such an injury because of someone else’s negligence.
Two Workers Suffer California Fire and Burn Injuries In Boiler Accident
| June 24th, 2013
June 24, 2013
Late last month, two workers suffered serious California Fire and Burn Injuries as the result of an accident that occurred at a northern California power plant. Records show that the incident occurred on the morning of Wednesday, May 29, at the Buena Vista Biomass Power Plant, located roughly 60 miles southeast of Sacramento, California.
According to an article released by FOX Reno News, a spokesman for the Amador County Sheriff’s Department, Jim Wegner, explained that an equipment failure at the facility had led to a boiler to overheat, break open, and spill. The intensity of the event led many to believe an explosion had occurred.
The incident led to two employees of the facility suffering injuries, including bruises, lacerations, and burns caused by the hot contents of the ruptured boiler. One of the victims was flown from the scene of the accident to a local trauma center by helicopter. Both victims were treated and then released.
The cause of the accident and if it could have been prevented is continuing to be investigated at this time by officials.
The accident highlights the risks of being burned while on the job that many workers face each day, considering estimates show three percent of all workplace fatalities were caused by fires or explosions.
The California Injury Lawyers with Berg injury Lawyers recognize how devastating an on-the-job burn injury can be. The firm is here to help if you have suffered such an injury at no fault of your own.
Firefighters Warn Of Dangers When Using Firepot Fuel Gels
| November 26th, 2012
November 26, 2012
Despite the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issuing a voluntary recall for the fuel gel used in a decorative flaming ceramic pot more than a year ago due to Fire and Burn Injury risks, firefighters in California are reminding residents these products are dangerous.
ABC 7 News reports the flame inside the lit fuel canister can burn so low that it may not be visible to the human eye. So, when a person goes to change the canister out, it may still be burning, causing hot and burning liquid fuel to spill. These spills have a potential to cause the canister to explode as well.
A woman from Anaheim, California, was one of the most recent victims of the defective product. She sustained second-degree burns on her face as the result of a fuel canister explosion, while her dog sustained second and third-degree burns over 25 percent of its body.
Safety advocates are pushing for companies to utilize modern means of communication, such as social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, for warning customers about potentially hazardous products. Officials are also working on policies that will better regulate the gel fuel market.
The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers believe manufacturers of products like fuel gel and fire pots have an obligation to ensure the safety of their products for consumers and failure to do so could be considered negligence in the event of an accident.
California Ranked Among States With High Numbers Of Cooking Fires On Thanksgiving
| November 19th, 2012
November 19, 2012
Millions of Americans fry turkeys each Thanksgiving. What many people don’t realize though is just how dangerous deep-frying a turkey can be.
According to a press release published by CNBC.com, approximately 1,000 cooking fires are reported in the United States each Thanksgiving. Many of these accidents have resulted in people suffering serious fire and burn injuries and have been estimated to cost roughly $15 million in property damage. Even more disturbing is that California is one of the states where these accidents are most common. The report went on to say that California ranked fourth highest in the nation for cooking fire accidents over the five year period from 2007 to 2011, accounting for a total of 12 incidents.
How can these accidents be prevented? Experts say cooking location when frying a turkey is crucial. Make sure cooking will take place a minimum of 20 feet from any structure. Also, be sure to turn off the flame when adding a turkey to hot oil in order to prevent a fire from occurring if oil spills over. Most importantly, never leave hot oil or a frying turkey unattended.
The California Personal Injury Lawyers with Berg Injury Lawyers understand how serious a fire or burn injury from hot oil can be and are hopeful these tips will help to prevent any injuries from occurring this Thanksgiving!