Atlanta, Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
Atlanta personal injury lawyer blog
Thursday, February 4, 2010
"What's the Difference Between First and Third Degree Burns?" And Other Facts About Burn Severity and Treatment
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Facts About Burn Injuries and Electrocution
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
How to Prevent Gasoline Fire Burn Injuries
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Home Scald Injury Prevention Tips
Friday, September 11, 2009
Hot Water Heater Burn Injuries
I blogged earlier this week about how common burn injuries are and the many different ways in which people can become burn victims, but that is not all there is to say about burns. Hundreds of thousands of people suffer from burns every year in this country, and of them, only a fraction require hospitalization. What, then, is the difference?
The difference, in short, is the severity of the burn. Burn severity is determined by several different factors, including the age and overall health of the burn victim, the depth of the burn and the percentage of the body that it covers. Obviously, if a young adult in good health receives a small, shallow burn, that is an entirely different situation than if a small child is burnt moderately over much of his body, or if an elderly person receives deep burns to her hand and arm.
Many of us have heard terms like "first degree burns" or "third degree burns," but we do not know exactly what they mean, or what difference that makes when discussing treatment. Understanding the skin is the first step to understanding the different degrees of burn damage and how they are judged. The skin is made up of several different layers. The epidermis, on top, is the outer surface of the skin which we see. Underneath the epidermis is the dermis, a stronger, more durable layer. Unlike the epidermis, the dermis has its own blood supply and contains nerve endings which allow for sensation. Hair follicles and sweat glands are active in the dermis layer of skin. Below that is another fatty layer, which nerves and blood vessels pass through to get to the skin.
A first degree burn affects the first layer of skin, the epidermis, only. There may be redness, hotness, and some pain, but there is no swelling or blistering. A sunburn is an example of a very common type of first degree burn. First degree burns may be painful, but not intensely so. Many people would do no more than run this type of burn under cold water or apply a lotion or cream to it. Second degree burns are more severe and in most cases, substantially more painful.
Second degree burns involve both the epidermis and the dermis, and leave the skin blistered, moist or oozing. Second degree burns may call for medical assistance, depending on how much of the body they have damaged. Doctors recommend not removing clothing around the burnt area, and seeking medical assistance quickly in the case of many of these burns. It is not advised to put lotion, oils or creams on these burns on your own, as that may do more damage. Adhesive bandages are discouraged, also because of the risk of farther damage.
Third degree burns involve all the layers of skin, and so-called fourth degree burns involve all of the skin, as well as the muscle and bone underneath. In third or fourth degree burns, the affected area will no longer be familiar light red, but instead may be white, cherry red, black, yellow or brown. If someone has suffered a third or fourth degree burn, then 911 should be contacted immediately for quick medical treatment.
If you or someone you love has been wrongfully injured in a fire due to negligence or product malfunction, then contact an experienced Atlanta, Georgia personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.
The difference, in short, is the severity of the burn. Burn severity is determined by several different factors, including the age and overall health of the burn victim, the depth of the burn and the percentage of the body that it covers. Obviously, if a young adult in good health receives a small, shallow burn, that is an entirely different situation than if a small child is burnt moderately over much of his body, or if an elderly person receives deep burns to her hand and arm. Many of us have heard terms like "first degree burns" or "third degree burns," but we do not know exactly what they mean, or what difference that makes when discussing treatment. Understanding the skin is the first step to understanding the different degrees of burn damage and how they are judged. The skin is made up of several different layers. The epidermis, on top, is the outer surface of the skin which we see. Underneath the epidermis is the dermis, a stronger, more durable layer. Unlike the epidermis, the dermis has its own blood supply and contains nerve endings which allow for sensation. Hair follicles and sweat glands are active in the dermis layer of skin. Below that is another fatty layer, which nerves and blood vessels pass through to get to the skin.
A first degree burn affects the first layer of skin, the epidermis, only. There may be redness, hotness, and some pain, but there is no swelling or blistering. A sunburn is an example of a very common type of first degree burn. First degree burns may be painful, but not intensely so. Many people would do no more than run this type of burn under cold water or apply a lotion or cream to it. Second degree burns are more severe and in most cases, substantially more painful.
Second degree burns involve both the epidermis and the dermis, and leave the skin blistered, moist or oozing. Second degree burns may call for medical assistance, depending on how much of the body they have damaged. Doctors recommend not removing clothing around the burnt area, and seeking medical assistance quickly in the case of many of these burns. It is not advised to put lotion, oils or creams on these burns on your own, as that may do more damage. Adhesive bandages are discouraged, also because of the risk of farther damage.
Third degree burns involve all the layers of skin, and so-called fourth degree burns involve all of the skin, as well as the muscle and bone underneath. In third or fourth degree burns, the affected area will no longer be familiar light red, but instead may be white, cherry red, black, yellow or brown. If someone has suffered a third or fourth degree burn, then 911 should be contacted immediately for quick medical treatment.
If you or someone you love has been wrongfully injured in a fire due to negligence or product malfunction, then contact an experienced Atlanta, Georgia personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.
Labels: Atlanta accident lawyer, Atlanta burn lawyer, burn injury, burn treatment, first degree burn, Georgia accident lawyer, Georgia burn lawyer, second degree burn, third degree burns
Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States are burnt badly enough to require medical treatment. Of all of those people, 75,000 require hospitalization. Every year, over 10,000 people die of burn injuries. As is clear, burn injuries are common. They are also incredibly painful and often lead to permanent disability. More serious burns often require long term expensive treatments and therapies to restore as much of the victim's quality of life as possible.
There are many different causes of burn related injuries and deaths, many of them hazards which we might face every day without realizing it. Burn injuries are often caused by accidents both at home or on the job, car accidents, home fires, electrocution, thermal or chemical burn dangers.
Flammable clothing can be an incredibly dangerous, invisible hazard. If clothing is flammable, then the burns can often spread quickly over large portions of the body. Clothing sold in the U.S must comply with the Flammable Fabrics Act because of this.
Thermal or heat burns occur when the body comes into contact with a hot surface - often including hot water, cooking surfaces, irons, or any other substance which reaches a temperature above 115 degrees Fahrenheit. These are the single most common kind of burn, and happen easily in many settings. Considering the number of items which reach these temperatures, this is hardly surprising.
Chemical burns are caused by exposure to strong acids or alkaloids, often where they occur in batteries, plumbing or laboratories. Strong chemicals can dissolve the skin on contact, leading to serious injuries. It is important that if chemicals come into contact with the skin, the whole area is flushed thoroughly with water.
Automobile fires are not uncommon in car accidents, where the presence of gasoline can cause fires or even explosions, sometimes creating shrapnel.
Home fires are possibly what most people think of in the first place when they think of burn injuries, and they are the leading cause of residential fire death. Home fires can be caused by any number of sources; cigarettes are the most common, but electrical and heating sources are also fire dangers when they malfunction. Children playing with lighters or matches cause about 2 percent of fatalities. The strongest dangers involved in fire death are those which impair people's ability to respond to a fire or make them careless. Intoxication, either through the use of drugs or alcohol, is often a contributing factor to fire deaths.
Electrocution occurs when a person comes into contact with an electrical source. The electrical current flows through the body, leaving severe exit wounds. Doctors can even track the path electricity takes through a burn victim's body. Electricity can stop the heart if it passes through the chest, making this incredibly dangerous.
If you or someone you love has been wrongfully injured in a fire due to negligence or product malfunction, then contact an experienced Atlanta, Georgia personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.
There are many different causes of burn related injuries and deaths, many of them hazards which we might face every day without realizing it. Burn injuries are often caused by accidents both at home or on the job, car accidents, home fires, electrocution, thermal or chemical burn dangers.Flammable clothing can be an incredibly dangerous, invisible hazard. If clothing is flammable, then the burns can often spread quickly over large portions of the body. Clothing sold in the U.S must comply with the Flammable Fabrics Act because of this.
Thermal or heat burns occur when the body comes into contact with a hot surface - often including hot water, cooking surfaces, irons, or any other substance which reaches a temperature above 115 degrees Fahrenheit. These are the single most common kind of burn, and happen easily in many settings. Considering the number of items which reach these temperatures, this is hardly surprising.
Chemical burns are caused by exposure to strong acids or alkaloids, often where they occur in batteries, plumbing or laboratories. Strong chemicals can dissolve the skin on contact, leading to serious injuries. It is important that if chemicals come into contact with the skin, the whole area is flushed thoroughly with water.
Automobile fires are not uncommon in car accidents, where the presence of gasoline can cause fires or even explosions, sometimes creating shrapnel.
Home fires are possibly what most people think of in the first place when they think of burn injuries, and they are the leading cause of residential fire death. Home fires can be caused by any number of sources; cigarettes are the most common, but electrical and heating sources are also fire dangers when they malfunction. Children playing with lighters or matches cause about 2 percent of fatalities. The strongest dangers involved in fire death are those which impair people's ability to respond to a fire or make them careless. Intoxication, either through the use of drugs or alcohol, is often a contributing factor to fire deaths.
Electrocution occurs when a person comes into contact with an electrical source. The electrical current flows through the body, leaving severe exit wounds. Doctors can even track the path electricity takes through a burn victim's body. Electricity can stop the heart if it passes through the chest, making this incredibly dangerous.
If you or someone you love has been wrongfully injured in a fire due to negligence or product malfunction, then contact an experienced Atlanta, Georgia personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation.
Labels: automobile fires, burn injury, car fires, chemical fires, electrical burns, electrical fires, electrocution, fire safety, heat burn, thermal burn, third degree burns
Each year, over a million burn injuries and 4,500 fatalities occur due to gasoline fires. A 26-year-old man recently died from burn injuries he received from a gasoline fire at a gas station in Frederick, Maryland. He was filling up his SUV when he and his vehicle burst into flames. He was not smoking while pumping gas. Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the fire.
Earlier this year, another man caught fire at a gas station in Arizona. The man suffered burns one 10 percent of his body.
In March 2009, a woman in Colorado was killed after a gasoline pump caught fire and exploded. Another person was injured. The pump exploded after an SUV ran into it. The driver was charged with careless driving involving a death.
Most people don’t consciously consider safety when pumping gas, but these stories illustrate the importance of safety precautions at the gas tank. Even a slight spark can ignite gasoline fumes and cause a fire.
Follow these safety tips to prevent gasoline fire burn injures:
- Always turn off your vehicle before refueling.
- Never smoke, light a match, or play with a lighter while pumping gas.
- Never leave the gas pump unattended.
- Don’t try to top off your tank. This could cause a spill.
- Never try to engineer your own hold-open latch on a gas pump that’s missing one.
- Only use approved containers when dispensing and storing gasoline. Gasoline can leak through many types of unapproved containers. Always place the container on the ground when refueling, and keep the nozzle in contact with the container to avoid ignition of fumes through static electricity.
- Never attempt to siphon gasoline with your mouth.
- Don’t let children handle gasoline.
- If you store gasoline at home, only keep the minimum amount. There’s not need to have multiple containers of gasoline sitting around your home.
- Never try to use gasoline for cleaning.
- Don’t use gasoline to start a fire or a grill. Other fire-starter liquids are safer and more effective. Never pour gasoline on piles of raked leaves!
- Don’t handle gasoline near a flame or heat source.
Children between the ages of 10 and 14 are the most likely group to suffer gasoline injuries. Keep your eyes on your adolescents and talk to them about gasoline safety. Children under the age of 5 are also at high risk. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year approximately 1,300 children under the age of 5 receive gasoline fire burn injuries.
Some gasoline fires are caused by driver negligence. Others may be caused by negligence on the part of business owners or gasoline companies. If you have suffered burn injuries in a gasoline fire due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to recovery and monetary compensation. Contact a Georgia personal injury lawyer to learn about your legal rights. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule your free consultation.
Earlier this year, another man caught fire at a gas station in Arizona. The man suffered burns one 10 percent of his body.
In March 2009, a woman in Colorado was killed after a gasoline pump caught fire and exploded. Another person was injured. The pump exploded after an SUV ran into it. The driver was charged with careless driving involving a death.
Most people don’t consciously consider safety when pumping gas, but these stories illustrate the importance of safety precautions at the gas tank. Even a slight spark can ignite gasoline fumes and cause a fire.
Follow these safety tips to prevent gasoline fire burn injures:
- Always turn off your vehicle before refueling.
- Never smoke, light a match, or play with a lighter while pumping gas.
- Never leave the gas pump unattended.
- Don’t try to top off your tank. This could cause a spill.
- Never try to engineer your own hold-open latch on a gas pump that’s missing one.
- Only use approved containers when dispensing and storing gasoline. Gasoline can leak through many types of unapproved containers. Always place the container on the ground when refueling, and keep the nozzle in contact with the container to avoid ignition of fumes through static electricity.
- Never attempt to siphon gasoline with your mouth.
- Don’t let children handle gasoline.
- If you store gasoline at home, only keep the minimum amount. There’s not need to have multiple containers of gasoline sitting around your home.
- Never try to use gasoline for cleaning.
- Don’t use gasoline to start a fire or a grill. Other fire-starter liquids are safer and more effective. Never pour gasoline on piles of raked leaves!
- Don’t handle gasoline near a flame or heat source.
Children between the ages of 10 and 14 are the most likely group to suffer gasoline injuries. Keep your eyes on your adolescents and talk to them about gasoline safety. Children under the age of 5 are also at high risk. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year approximately 1,300 children under the age of 5 receive gasoline fire burn injuries.
Some gasoline fires are caused by driver negligence. Others may be caused by negligence on the part of business owners or gasoline companies. If you have suffered burn injuries in a gasoline fire due to the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to recovery and monetary compensation. Contact a Georgia personal injury lawyer to learn about your legal rights. Call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule your free consultation.
Labels: burn injury, Georgia personal injury lawyer
In the United States, another burn injury occurs every 32 minutes. A scald is a burn injury caused by hot fluid or gas, and it is the most common type of burn injury among young children.
Because of their sensitive skin, children and the elderly are more likely to suffer from serious scald injuries. People with diabetes may be more prone to scald injuries because of loss of sensation in the skin. Disabled people are also more likely to suffer scalds. Scald injuries often occur in nursing homes when caretakers become distracted.
Scalding accounts for approximately 100,000 injuries and 35 deaths each year.
Here are some scalding burn injury prevention tips to help you keep the children and others in your home safe:
Never leave young children at home alone.
Make sure your water heater thermostat is set at 120 degrees F or lower. If you have children in your home, you may want to lower it to 110. Lowering the temperature will decrease the risk of injury from scalding water. Around 5,000 children are scalded each year, and most of those injuries occur in the bathtub.
Teach children about safety in the kitchen. Keep young children away from the stove when you’re cooking. If you have trouble keeping them out of the kitchen, set up baby gates or some other kind of barrier.
Always turn handles toward the back of the stove while cooking. Keep kitchen appliances and other heat-producing appliances out of the reach of children.
Do not place hot liquids or foods near the edge of counters.
Always use oven mitts when handling hot cookware.
Be careful when lifting lids off of cookware. Hot steam may escape and scald the skin.
Test heated foods before giving them to children.
Do not heat baby bottles or baby food in a microwave. Microwaves may heat unevenly. If even you test the food first, there may be a hidden hot spot.
Keep walking obstructions out of the kitchen. Clean up any spills immediately.
When filling a bath for a child, start with cold water, and then add warm water.
Face children away from faucets in the bathtub.
Never leave children along in the bathroom.
Use child-proof knob covers on the bathtub faucets.
Consider installing anti-scald plumbing like anti-scald faucets and shower heads.
Sometimes burn and scald injuries are caused by carelessness, recklessness, or deliberate behavior. For example, a hotel or apartment complex may set the water heater temperature too high. In these cases, victims may be entitled to recovery for damages.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a scald injury or another burn injury caused by negligence, carelessness, or a defective product, call Atlanta personal injury lawyer Michael Neff. Call 404-531-9700 to schedule your free consultation.
Because of their sensitive skin, children and the elderly are more likely to suffer from serious scald injuries. People with diabetes may be more prone to scald injuries because of loss of sensation in the skin. Disabled people are also more likely to suffer scalds. Scald injuries often occur in nursing homes when caretakers become distracted.
Scalding accounts for approximately 100,000 injuries and 35 deaths each year.
Here are some scalding burn injury prevention tips to help you keep the children and others in your home safe:
Never leave young children at home alone.
Make sure your water heater thermostat is set at 120 degrees F or lower. If you have children in your home, you may want to lower it to 110. Lowering the temperature will decrease the risk of injury from scalding water. Around 5,000 children are scalded each year, and most of those injuries occur in the bathtub.
Teach children about safety in the kitchen. Keep young children away from the stove when you’re cooking. If you have trouble keeping them out of the kitchen, set up baby gates or some other kind of barrier.
Always turn handles toward the back of the stove while cooking. Keep kitchen appliances and other heat-producing appliances out of the reach of children.
Do not place hot liquids or foods near the edge of counters.
Always use oven mitts when handling hot cookware.
Be careful when lifting lids off of cookware. Hot steam may escape and scald the skin.
Test heated foods before giving them to children.
Do not heat baby bottles or baby food in a microwave. Microwaves may heat unevenly. If even you test the food first, there may be a hidden hot spot.
Keep walking obstructions out of the kitchen. Clean up any spills immediately.
When filling a bath for a child, start with cold water, and then add warm water.
Face children away from faucets in the bathtub.
Never leave children along in the bathroom.
Use child-proof knob covers on the bathtub faucets.
Consider installing anti-scald plumbing like anti-scald faucets and shower heads.
Sometimes burn and scald injuries are caused by carelessness, recklessness, or deliberate behavior. For example, a hotel or apartment complex may set the water heater temperature too high. In these cases, victims may be entitled to recovery for damages.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a scald injury or another burn injury caused by negligence, carelessness, or a defective product, call Atlanta personal injury lawyer Michael Neff. Call 404-531-9700 to schedule your free consultation.
Labels: burn injury, scalding water
A defective water heater or a mistaken maintenance technician or plumber could cause the hot water temperature to soar above 150 degrees Fahrenheit, which can cause serious burn injuries. A water heater problem can lead to third-degree burns from tap water.
On some hot water heaters, the default temperature setting is too hot for human contact. Often times, people do not understand how to set a safe temperature for a hot water heater.
Accidents involving hot water in the home cause approximately 6,000 injuries and 35 fatal burn injuries each year. According to the national Safe Kids campaign, around 5,000 children are scalded each year, usually in bathtubs. On average, the burn injury is a third-degree burn that covers 12 percent of the child’s body. Interestingly, 54 percent of these burn injuries occur in apartment homes, while 46 percent of them occur in single family homes. In apartments, maintenance technicians are more likely to adjust the hot water heater temperature without the residents knowing.
Young children have the greatest risk of being scalded by hot water. Just one second of contact with water of 160 degrees Fahrenheit can cause a third-degree burn. When water is 130 degrees Fahrenheit, 30 seconds of exposure will cause a third-degree burn. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises that water heaters should be set at a maximum temperature of 120 degrees − but even water at this temperature can cause third-degree burns after ten minutes. A safe temperature for the hot water is 110 degrees; at this temperature, it would take several hours to develop a serious burn injury. Lowering the temperature on your hot water heater will also save energy.
If you have children, always hand-test the bathtub water before placing a child in the tub. Never leave your children in the tub unsupervised. They might accidentally turn on the hot water.
In one recent case in New York City, a child was scalded while taking a shower after the water temperature suddenly jumped to dangerous levels. The child suffered third-degree burns on 15 percent of her body. The accident occurred because the company that installed the hot water heater did not properly install the mixing valve (an inexpensive part that mixes the hot and cold water). The service company and the landlord settled this particular case for $1.5 million.
If you or a loved one is scalded in a home accident, place the burned area in cold water and call 911 or go to the emergency room. Do not attempt to apply any salves or ointments. See a doctor immediately. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible, too. You may have a strong case against the landlord, property management, maintenance company, plumber, or water heater manufacturer. Water heater burn injuries are extremely painful and often leave physical as well as emotional scars.
If you need a Georgia burn injury lawyer, call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation. We have the experience and expertise necessary to help you assert your legal rights.
On some hot water heaters, the default temperature setting is too hot for human contact. Often times, people do not understand how to set a safe temperature for a hot water heater.
Accidents involving hot water in the home cause approximately 6,000 injuries and 35 fatal burn injuries each year. According to the national Safe Kids campaign, around 5,000 children are scalded each year, usually in bathtubs. On average, the burn injury is a third-degree burn that covers 12 percent of the child’s body. Interestingly, 54 percent of these burn injuries occur in apartment homes, while 46 percent of them occur in single family homes. In apartments, maintenance technicians are more likely to adjust the hot water heater temperature without the residents knowing.
Young children have the greatest risk of being scalded by hot water. Just one second of contact with water of 160 degrees Fahrenheit can cause a third-degree burn. When water is 130 degrees Fahrenheit, 30 seconds of exposure will cause a third-degree burn. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advises that water heaters should be set at a maximum temperature of 120 degrees − but even water at this temperature can cause third-degree burns after ten minutes. A safe temperature for the hot water is 110 degrees; at this temperature, it would take several hours to develop a serious burn injury. Lowering the temperature on your hot water heater will also save energy.
If you have children, always hand-test the bathtub water before placing a child in the tub. Never leave your children in the tub unsupervised. They might accidentally turn on the hot water.
In one recent case in New York City, a child was scalded while taking a shower after the water temperature suddenly jumped to dangerous levels. The child suffered third-degree burns on 15 percent of her body. The accident occurred because the company that installed the hot water heater did not properly install the mixing valve (an inexpensive part that mixes the hot and cold water). The service company and the landlord settled this particular case for $1.5 million.
If you or a loved one is scalded in a home accident, place the burned area in cold water and call 911 or go to the emergency room. Do not attempt to apply any salves or ointments. See a doctor immediately. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible, too. You may have a strong case against the landlord, property management, maintenance company, plumber, or water heater manufacturer. Water heater burn injuries are extremely painful and often leave physical as well as emotional scars.
If you need a Georgia burn injury lawyer, call MLN Law at 404-531-9700 to schedule a free consultation. We have the experience and expertise necessary to help you assert your legal rights.
Labels: building maintenance, burn injury, personal injury, scalding water, third degree burns
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