Burn Injuries and Defective Products Know Your Legal Rights

Burn accidents happen more frequently than you think. Burn injuries are commonly caused by defective products, motor vehicle accidents and work accidents. Burns are some of the most life altering and debilitating injuries because of extended recovery times, the pain involved, and the possibility of becoming completely disabled or partially disabled because of injuries and deformities that couldn’t be repaired.

Burn injuries are described by degrees. Degrees vary from first-degree to forth-degree. The classification system also includes inhalation burns:

• First-degree burns are burns that are minor. These types of burns only effect the first layer of skin. Sunburn is an example of a first-degree burn.
• Second-degree burns happen when the first layer of skin and the dermis, which is the second layer of skin that houses your sweat glands, hair follicles, blood, nerve endings and lymph vessels, become damaged. This is a very sensitive layer of skin and it is quite thick, Second-degree burns are burns that swell, blister and bubble up and usually require a trip to the emergency room for treatment.
• Third-degree burns are serious burns. They effect the first layer of skin, the second layer of skin and the third layer of skin that is called the hypodermis. The hypodermis is a fatty layer of tissue underneath the skin. Third-degree burns destroy underlying tissues in the hypodermis and destroys the skin completely. These burns require many months of treatment and scarring can be heavy even if skin grafts are used to repair some of the damage.
• Fourth-degree burns are the most severe type of burn. These burns destroy the muscles and bone and can cause disability and loss of life.
• Inhalation burns occur when someone breathes in heat, smoke and flames from a fire. When this happens, burns occur inside the body along the airway and the lungs. Inhalation burns can cause the person’s airway to swell causing them to suffocate if the swelling isn’t treated quickly. Toxic fumes, smoke, and other irritants can cause inhalation burns.

Defective And Dangerous Flammable Products

Burns occur because of defective products or improperly labeled products very frequently. For example, flammable fabrics, scalding water, defective lighters and electrical outlets can cause burn injuries. Within the last few years there have been reports regarding citronella candles and torches suddenly exploding causing hot wax to fall on people causing severe burns. The Consumer Products Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) keeps their website updated regarding recalls and information regarding injuries caused by defective products.

Burns In The Workplace

Burns in the workplace can be caused by chemicals, high voltage electricity, restaurants equipment and other industrial accidents. Electricians have a constant risk of burn injury due to the nature of their profession; however, other electrical burns in the workplace can happen because of employer negligence. Shortcuts in safety procedures in the workplace are leading cause of electrical burns.

Burns In Public Places

Burns that occur because of scalding water generally occur at home and some require treatment at a hospital. However, scalding burns can occur at many different places such as, hotels, nursing homes, gyms and apartment complexes. The owners of these facilities have a duty to make sure guests at their facility, individuals who use their facility are protected from such dangers. Children and the elderly are the most susceptible to thermal scalding injuries due to the delicacy of their skin. Scalding water injury can be very serious.

Attorney Skip McManes has worked with people who have fallen victim of burn injuries and defective products for many years. His experience and expertise has helped many people receive compensation and other remedies for the personal injuries they have received. Contact McManes Law at (770) 645-8801, Toll Free at (866) 612-2481, or visit our website. You will be able to fill out a short contact form and we will contact you regarding your case immediately. Our consultations are always free. Let us know how we can help you. Call Skip McManes today.