Surprising Burn Injuries Anyone Can Suffer
| February 1st, 2021
When people think of burn injuries, they typically think of those caused by fires. In reality, we all face several burn injury risks from causes that have nothing to do with open flames.
Here are a few of the most surprising, yet common, ways that burns happen.
Burn Injuries From Electrical Currents
Electrical injuries can cause some of the most serious burns imaginable. They’re common among workers who are regularly exposed to electrical currents, including electricians and construction workers.
However, we all have electrical currents in our homes. And we regularly use electronic devices. Though most devices and homes are safe from electrical hazards, problems such as manufacturing defects, improper wiring, or normal wear and tear can quickly turn a device or an electrical outlet into a burn risk.
Burn Injuries From Faucets in the Home
Home water heaters are supposed to be set at safe temperatures so that the maximum temperature reached won’t cause burns. However, water heaters often exceed these temperatures, and residents can suffer burns when a faucet is running hot water.
This is most likely in rental units, in both apartments and houses, especially when renters don’t have access to their water heaters. It’s important for all landlords to monitor the safety of water heaters to avoid risks to tenants.
Burn Injuries in the Kitchen
Though most kitchens use devices that don’t use open flames, burn risks are still very common in kitchens. The most serious burn injuries suffered in kitchens often happen to children who suffer scalding injuries from boiling liquids.
When you’re cooking in your home kitchen, make sure that children stay away from ovens and stovetops. Be sure to point cookware handles away from the edges of stoves or countertops, and always use oven mitts when handling items in the oven or cast iron skillets on the stovetop.
Burn Injuries From Hot Liquids Served in Restaurants
Perhaps the most infamous example of a hot liquid burning a consumer is the 1994 product liability lawsuit, Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants. In this case, a 79-year-old woman suffered third-degree burns when she spilled a hot cup of McDonald’s coffee on her lap.
Though many people saw this case as an example of excessive litigation, consumer safety advocates and legal scholars cite it as a clear instance of corporate negligence and a hallmark case for consumer protection laws.
Burn Injuries in Tanning Beds
Thousands of people visit emergency departments every year in the U.S. because of burn injuries suffered in tanning beds. Tanning beds can, in extreme cases, lead to third-degree burns, which can be potentially life-threatening. These injuries also dramatically increase sufferers’ chances of developing skin cancer later in life.
When Burn Injuries Are Someone Else’s Fault, Victims Have Legal Options
Many of the burn injuries listed above aren’t the fault of the burn victims. When burns are caused by someone else’s negligence, victims have the right to pursue legal avenues for compensation. The California burn injury attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers have years of experience getting compensation for clients who were injured through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury and want to consider legal options, contact our team today for a free consultation.
