Burn Injuries: Common Causes
Burns can be one of the most painful injuries a person can sustain. Severe burns can damage all of the layers of the skin, as well as tissue below the skin.
Victims of serious burn injuries commonly need surgeries and extended time spent in the hospital or a burn treatment center. The following are some of the common causes of serious burns.
Fires are the Leading Cause of Burns
By far,
fires and flames are the most common cause of burn injuries in the United States. Fires can occur in many situations and for many reasons, including faulty wiring, unmaintained fireplaces or stoves, car or truck crashes, among many others. In many cases, a fire starts because a property owner, contractor, driver, or another party was negligent in some way. In such cases, any burn victims can hold the party that caused the fire liable for their medical costs, pain and suffering, and other extensive losses.
Additional Types of Burn Accidents
Fire is far from the only condition that can cause serious burn injuries. Some other causes include the following:
- Thermal burns – This type of burn occurs when your skin comes in contact with an object that is hot. This can include stoves, irons, machinery, and more. These are common injuries in workplaces such as kitchens or manufacturing plants.
- Scalds – Scalds occur when extremely hot liquid or steam hits your skin. One famous scald injury happened to a woman who sued McDonald’s for serving over-hot coffee that spilled in her lap, causing severe burns.
- Electrical burns – While burns from electrocution are most common for contractors, electricians, construction workers, and individuals in similar fields, they can also happen at home due to faulty wiring or other electricity defects.
- Chemical burns – These burns occur when a corrosive or otherwise toxic chemical comes in contact with the skin. This is also a common workplace injury.
Contact Our Chicago Burn Accident Attorneys for Help
The Chicago burn injury lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. know how devastating a serious burn can be. We protect the rights of burn victims, so please call for a free consultation at (312) 924-7575 today.
1
http://www.ameriburn.org/resources_factsheet.php
2
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/darryl-s-weiman-md-jd/the-mcdonalds-coffee-case_b_14002362.html
