Sunburns may be the first type of burn injury that comes to mind when people think of Orlando. Unfortunately, burns can be much more serious than this and when people sustain this type of injury in an accident, the effects can stay with them for the rest of their lives. In the worst of cases, burns can cause damage to not just the skin but also the bones, muscles, and surrounding tissues.
Burn injuries caused by accidents are typically the result of another person’s negligence, whether it was a motorist who drove while distracted or a property owner who failed to correct a dangerous condition on their premises. Below, our Orlando personal injury lawyer outlines the most common causes of burn injuries, and how you can claim compensation for them.
Fires
Unsurprisingly, fires are one of the most common causes of burn injuries in Orlando. Fires are not always preventable but there are times when they are. Some of the most common causes of preventable fires include:
- Clamps, pipes, and hoses on heavy machinery that are not secured properly
- Leaks or openings in gas appliances
- Negligent motorists, particularly truckers operating commercial gas trucks
- Unattended fuel delivery equipment and gas tanks
- Gas lines and gas appliances that are improperly manufactured, installed, or maintained
Hot Liquids and Steam
Hot liquids and steam can cause some of the worst damage to the human skin. Steam and scalding liquids can cause serious injury in just a few seconds. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), when skin is exposed to water heated to 150 degrees for even just two seconds it can cause a third-degree burn. When water is heated to 120 degrees, it takes just five minutes to sustain a third-degree burn.
Hot cooking oil, boiling water, and coffee are some of the most common types of hot liquids that cause serious burn injuries. Food service workers may not properly secure a lid on a cup of hot coffee, or a defective deep fryer may cause very hot oil to leak out and burn someone. When hot water in public showers, hot tubs, and spas are not properly maintained or regulated, people can also suffer serious burns.
Contact with Hot Items
Touching hot objects such as stove burners or irons can also result in serious burns. These burns can occur when childcare workers do not properly supervise the children in their care, or when heavy machinery that becomes hot does not display warning signs. When property owners do not ensure certain facilities, such as saunas, have the proper temperature control, people can also become burned when they sit on benches or get too close to rock features.
Suffered a Burn Injury? Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Orlando Can Help
Of all the injuries you could sustain during an accident, burns are some of the worst. At The Benenati Law Firm, our Orlando personal injury lawyers know this, and it is why we are so dedicated to helping burn victims claim the full monetary compensation they are entitled to. We will put that same dedication to work for you, too. Call us now at (407) 777-7777 or reach out to us online to schedule a free review of your case and to learn more about your legal options.