Indianapolis Scald Burns Lawyer
Scalding water from a sink, shower, or bathtub can result in severe burns. Anyone who has ever had a burn knows that they are extremely painful and take a long time to heal. Even when they are fully healed, they can leave lasting scars on the skin, a constant reminder of what may have been a simple mistake.
The water that comes out of the faucets in your home can reach surprisingly hot temperatures. Sometimes you may have little warning that the water is too hot to touch before you run your hand underneath and before you can retract your hand you have already been burned.
Studies suggest that approximately 1/3 of all admissions to burn centers in the United States are for scald burn injuries. Scald burns occur when the skin of an individual comes into contact with extremely hot water (or other liquids). This particular type of burn can be especially damaging, as liquids have to ability to splash all over a person, resulting in injuries to a larger surface area than most other types of burns.
The Indianapolis scald burn injury lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider are here to represent you if you are the victim of this damaging injury.
Hot Water Heaters and Burn Injuries
One of the most common causes of scald burn injuries is hot water heaters that are set above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Studies show that tap water that is delivered at 140 degrees Fahrenheit can cause a significant burn in as little as ten seconds.
If the water running out of your tap is too hot, it is likely because your hot water heater setting is turned too high or the temperature control is malfunctioning. Every year, more than 3,500 people are injured by hot water and about 30 die each year from their burns. Many of these are young children who are set in bathtub water that is too hot, and it only takes about three seconds for children to be seriously burned by hot water.
If you live in an apartment complex or other facility that is managed by an individual outside of your family, and you are burned by excessively hot water, you may be in a position to receive financial compensation for your injuries. Contact the Indianapolis scald burn injury lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider today to discuss your injuries and discover what compensation may be available to you.
Preventing Hot Water Injuries
To help prevent you and your family from being injured by hot water, consider the following tips:
- If you feel that the water is too hot, turn down your hot water heater’s temperature setting. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends a setting no higher than 120 degrees F, but 110 degrees F is a safer limit and will help to ensure that young children and the elderly are not burned.
- Check your hot water heater to make sure that the temperature control is working.
- Before placing a young child in a bathtub, check the temperature of the water yourself. If it feels too warm for you, it is too warm for the child. Let the water cool for a while or drain the water and try filling the bathtub with cooler water.
- If your water is steaming, it is likely too hot. Do not touch it and avoid touching the pipes and faucet as well, since these are likely to be very hot too.
Contact Us
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a scald burn, it is imperative that you discuss your situation with a legal professional immediately. Contact the Indianapolis scald burn injury lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider today by calling (317) 634-8565.