What Are the Most Common Causes of Burn Injuries in New York?

A burn injury can be one of the most painful types of injuries a person can experience, but it may also affect more than just a victim’s skin. First-, second-, or third-degree burns can lead to life-threatening infections and even damage to internal organs. According to the American Burn Association, approximately 450,000 patients receive medical treatment for burns every year. Burn injuries can also require surgeries, including skin grafts that lead to noticeable scarring. Some may think that firefighters may be more prone to burn injuries than anyone else. However, these types of personal injuries can happen at home, in the workplace, at a restaurant, or even in a car collision. In some situations, negligence by another party directly can cause a burn injury.

Accidents that Can Lead to Fires

Although the majority of burn injuries are due to fires, there are other ways that someone can suffer burns. Working with acid-based substances can cause severe chemical burns to the skin. An auto accident may cause a car to become engulfed in flames if the gas tank leaks and gasoline ignites with sparks from the engine. Some other circumstances in which an individual can suffer burns to the body include:

• Fire in a home or workplace
• Exposure to toxic chemicals
• Being splashed with boiling/scalding water
• Radiation/UV exposure
• Electrical burns due to an accident at a construction site

Categories of Burn Injuries

The severity of a burn injury is generally classified in three degrees. They are:

• First degree: A superficial burn involving damage to the upper epidermis, the outermost layer of skin. First-degree burns cause mild pain and often heal on their own in a matter of days. Sunburn is a typical example of a first-degree burn.
• Second degree: A superficial burn that damages the upper and lower layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis). This kind of burn can cause blisters and/or scarring. Skin grafting may be required, and recovery often takes weeks.
• Third degree: A deep burn that damages the skin’s underlying tissues and sweat glands. This type of burn requires skin grafting and in some cases, surgery.

How Does Negligence Play a Role?

In certain scenarios, a victim may suffer a burn injury because of the negligent actions of another person. For example, a distracted or drunk driver may cause a head-on collision, which sets one or both cars on fire. Passengers may suffer severe burns, which can often lead to wrongful death. Other cases can even involve restaurant patrons who have hot coffee or soup spilled on them. Building or house fires can seriously hurt anyone in or near the structures. Homeowners and managers of apartment buildings or office complexes should routinely inspect smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, or sprinkler systems to ensure they are all in proper working order. Manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility to make their products safe for customers. For instance, if space heaters or other electrical products are defective, this faulty equipment can malfunction, resulting in fire and burns.

Contact a Brooklyn, NY Personal Injury Lawyer

Regardless of how it occurred, a burn injury can be debilitating. Not only can it leave a person disfigured, but it can also result in permanent nerve damage and render someone unable to return to work. If you suffered a significant burn injury due to the negligence of another party, it is imperative that you speak to a knowledgeable attorney about your medical bills and lost wages. At Goldberg Sager & Associates, we have over 50 years of combined experience successfully representing clients in all kinds of personal injury cases. Our skilled New York City burn injury attorneys will advocate for you or your loved one so you receive the compensation you need and deserve. To schedule your free consultation, call our office today at 718-514-9516.

Sources: 
https://newyork.public.law/laws/n.y._general_obligations_law_section_5-335
https://burninjuryguide.com/burn-statistics/