Burn Injury

Burn injuries, frequently recognized as one of the more dangerous injuries a person can suffer from, are an all too common occurrence. According to the American Burn Association, each year there are one million burn injuries in the U.S. and an estimated 45,000 hospitalizations from the injuries. An estimated half of these hospitalizations are admitted to the 125 specialized burn treatment centers across the country. Child burn injury victims alarmingly comprise one-third of these cases.

In order to prevent a serious burn injury, it is important for Illinois residents to be aware of the common causes of this type of injury. Burnsurvivor.com offers the following information:

• Defective products – Many products are recalled each year because they pose a threat of burn-related injuries to consumers.
• Flammable and hot liquids – Scalds from hot liquid, which are particularly dangerous for children, are responsible for thousands of emergency room visits each year. Flammable liquids, such as gasoline or solvents, can be a serious source of burn injury as well.
• Building fires – Annually, fires kill more Americans than all natural disasters combined, and workplace fires also contribute to a large number of fatalities, making building fires a genuine threat.
• Gas explosions – Gas, fire, and explosion cases may result from numerous causes, but a person is much more likely to be injured or involved in an explosion when using propane gas rather than natural gas.
• Chemical and thermal burns – Thermal burns are the most common type of burn resulting from exposure to steam, flames, hot surfaces, or liquids. Chemical burns occur when the skin is in contact with strong acids or alkalids; severity of the injury will depend on how long the skin is exposed.
• Motor vehicle fires – Often not recognized as a part of the national fire problem, every one out of five fires involves a motor vehicle.

A burn injury can be extremely painful for the victim and may require extensive treatment and rehabilitation. If you have suffered from a burn injury caused by the negligence of another party, the burn injury lawyers in Illinois with the Bradley Law Firm will work diligently to get you the compensation you deserve. Call (312) 252-1488 to schedule a free consultation.

Each year, thousands of children suffer from harmful burn injuries. Children under the age of four are at the greatest risk for burn injuries; for example, the injury death rate for this age group is two times that of children ages five to 14. Scald burn injury, which is caused by hot liquids or steam, is the most common burn-related injury for young children, and flame burns, caused by direct contact with a fire, are more likely to occur amongst older children. Children are unfortunately at a higher risk for a burn injury because they may not know something is dangerous and may lack the ability to escape a dangerous situation. A young child may also have less control of their environment.

Burn injuries are recognized to be some of the most painful, devastating injuries a person may endure, and they can undoubtedly have a lifelong impact on the victim. The following are some helpful tips that may prevent your child from suffering from a dangerous burn injury:

• If working with a hot liquid or cooking with hot oil or a deep fryer, keep your child a safe distance away from the source.
• Do not use a tablecloth with young children as they may pull on it, causing a hot liquid to fall on them.
• In the event of a house fire, teach your child proper safety; practice an exit strategy and teach them how to out a fire.
• If a microwave is used to prepare a child’s food, test the temperature before they dig in. In addition, test the temperature of the water with your hand before placing a toddler in a bathtub.
• Use a bottle warmer to more safely warm formula or milk (microwave heating may not heat the liquid uniformly and could present a danger).
• Keep lighters and matches out of the reach of children, and teach them to stay away from these potential hazards.
• Fire-proof your home by doing things such as checking smoke detector batteries, having your chimney or fireplace cleaned during the winter, and throwing out smoking materials in a proper receptacle.

Adhering to these simple safety rules may prevent a serious burn injury accident from occurring in your home, but another individual may not exercise proper caution and endanger your young one, causing devastating injuries. If your child has endured a burn-related injury caused by someone else’s negligence, the burn injury attorneys in Chicago with the Bradley Law Firm can help you get compensation for your child’s injuries. Please call (312) 252-1488 for a complimentary consultation.

Three Abengoa Bioenergy employees suffered burn injuries as a result of a workplace fire at an ethanol plant in Madison on April 11, according to FoxNews.com. The flash fire was caused by an explosion in a “plastic tote” container, which was being filled with a substance used in ethanol production. The three employees were working in a maintenance shed next to the container at the time of the explosion.

The fire had burned out by the time the Madison Fire Department arrived; however, the three employees that were caught in the fire suffered burn injuries. Two of them were transported to an Illinois hospital with minor burns to the head and neck, but the third, who sustained severe burns on his lower extremities, was taken to St. John’s Mercy Burn Center in Missouri. The Fairview Heights office of The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the cause of the explosion.

Burn injuries can be excruciatingly painful, and can require extensive medical treatment. If an Illinois worker suffers a burn injury on the job, then they may file an Illinois workers’ compensation injury claim so that they are compensated for the time taken off of work to recover. When the workplace accident is caused by the negligence or recklessness of another, the injured worker may also have the option of filing a third-party claim. This is not limited to workplace accidents, however. Anyone who has suffered a burn injury due to the negligence of another person or entity could potentially seek legal action.

If you or a loved one has sustained a burn injury on account of another’s negligence or recklessness, the knowledgeable Chicago burn injury attorneys at The Bradley Law Firm can provide you with the legal guidance you need in such a difficult time. Call today for a free confidential consultation at 312-252-1488.