Protecting Yourself from Burn Injury in the Home
It is common for people to engage in activities that place them at risk for burn injuries around the home, such as cooking, grilling, and using firepits. Fortunately, there are certain measures people can take to reduce burn risks while still allowing them to enjoy such endeavors. Even if people employ preventative measures, factors outside of their control may cause them to sustain burn injuries that cause lifelong detriments. This can be due to defective products that may be in and around your home. If you have questions about what damages you may be able to recover if you suffered a burn injury, it is in your best interest to meet with an attorney as soon as possible. The proficient Mobile personal injury attorneys at Tobias & Comer Law, LLC, are mindful of the catastrophic harm burn injuries cause, and if we represent you, we will work tirelessly to help you seek justice for your losses.
Reducing Burn Risks
Burns are among the most painful injuries a person can sustain and often cause permanent damage. According to American Burn Association, the primary causes of burn injury include fire-flame, scalds, contact with hot objects, electrical and chemicals. Further, most of the burns treated at burn centers occur in the home.
We know there are precautions to take against household burns when cooking and grilling.
But what about the hidden dangers due to unsuspecting products that may be in and around the home? Many burns are caused by defective products with faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, or by defective electrical appliances and mechanical equipment.
Examples of Defective Products Causing Burn Injury:
- Hot water heater explosions
- Lithium batteries that overheat
- Electronics or appliances that cause electric shock or electrocution
- ATV with faulty gas tank design
- Baby monitor batteries can malfunction, overheat, and burst
- Pool water pumps with faulty wiring
When products cause injuries, they should be recalled from the market so that the public can be made aware. This does not always happen, either because the company does not acknowledge any reported injuries, or many people do not report their injuries.
What you can do:
- Always report an injury that was caused by a suspected defective product. Contact the manufacturer or seller of the product and report it to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Individual consumers can reach out to the CPSC on their website https://www.saferproducts.gov or by phone (800-638-2772) to report safety concerns about various products. Additionally, businesses and manufacturers of products are legally required to report any defects that they discover to the CPSC.
- Check the Consumer Product Safety Commission website regularly for product recalls and/or sign up for CPSC alert emails. https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls
- Make sure you have smoke detectors in every room of your home. In addition to preventing the risk of fires, it is essential to use smoke detectors to detect any fires that may occur, as they can allow people to evacuate their homes before the fire spreads, thereby minimizing the risk of burn injuries. People should ensure that they regularly test their smoke detectors and replace their batteries and install them in strategic locations throughout their homes.
Work-Related Burn Injury
Workplaces can also be hazardous and pose a risk for burn injuries such as fire, scalds, or explosions. Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe working environment for their employees. If you have been injured at work and there was some negligence involved, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. See more information about work-related burn injuries.
Pursuing Claims Following a Burn Injury
Reducing burn risks cannot prevent burns from occurring, unfortunately, and many people in Mobile suffer burn injuries each year. As a result, they will frequently seek compensation from the parties responsible for their losses.
In order to recover damages in a lawsuit arising out of burn injury, a plaintiff must establish the defendant’s liability. The precise claims a plaintiff will assert against a defendant will depend on the circumstances surrounding their harm.
Many plaintiffs with burn injuries pursue product liability claims against the manufacturers or distributors of the device that caused their burn. A product liability claim asserts that the device had a defect that made it unreasonably dangerous, causing harm to the plaintiff. Defects can stem from design flaws or errors in the manufacturing process.
In some burn injury cases, the plaintiff will pursue negligence claims against the defendant. In Alabama, proving negligence requires demonstrating that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty to exercise reasonable care in the given circumstances and that the defendant’s actions constituted a breach of that duty. The plaintiff must also prove that the breach directly caused their harm and resulted in actual damages.
If a plaintiff successfully establishes the defendant’s liability, they may be awarded compensation for past and future medical expenses, as well as lost earnings. Juries often grant significant damages to plaintiffs who have endured pain, mental anguish, and suffering due to their burn injuries as well.
Speak to a Trusted Mobile Personal Injury Lawyer
Burn injuries can have profound impacts on all aspects of a person’s life, leading to substantial physical, emotional, and financial losses. If you have suffered burns in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, it is advisable to consult with an attorney to discuss your rights. At Tobias & Comer Law, LLC, our Mobile personal injury attorneys are skilled at helping people recover damages for harm caused by the recklessness of others, and if you hire us, we will advocate zealously on your behalf. We have an office in Mobile, and we regularly represent parties in personal injury claims in Mobile and throughout Alabama. You can contact us through our form online or at (251) 432-5001 to set up a meeting.