Filing a Burn Injury Case after Being Injured by Hot Liquid
Burns can be particularly painful injuries. This is especially true when an individual suffers from second- or third-degree burns. In addition to physical pain, serious burns can cause tissue damage and disfigurement. Severe burns often require specialized care that can result in significant medical expenses. In short, a burn injury can be extremely damaging, in more ways than one.
Those who have been burned as a result of another person’s recklessness or negligence may wish to file a personal injury lawsuit to collect compensation for damages. At Gary A. Zucker & Associates, our attorneys have experience with all types of burn injury cases. Here, we discuss burn injury cases involving hot liquids. To schedule a case evaluation, contact our Brooklyn, NY practice.
The Dangers of Hot Liquids
When people hear the phrases “burn injury case” and “hot liquids” in the same sentence, it almost always brings to mind the infamous lawsuit that was filed against McDonalds when a customer was burned by her cup of coffee. Often people take the stance that the plaintiff should have known that the cup of coffee would be hot. However, what many do not realize is just how hot that coffee was.
At the time of the lawsuit, evidence showed that McDonald’s was serving their coffee at 180 to 190 degree Fahrenheit. Excessively hot liquids like this can be extremely damaging. At this temperature, liquids can cause third-degree burns in a matter of seconds. Third-degree burns can damage the epidermis (the top layer of skin), the dermis (the second layer of skin), and the underlying bones, muscles, and deep tissues. These types of burns often require extensive treatment at a burn injury clinic.
Even when liquids are not hot to this extreme, they can still cause serious damage. Most establishments serve coffee and other hot beverages around 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot liquids such as these can cause a second-degree burn. A second-degree burn damages the first two layers of the skin. These types of injuries often require specialized care, including skin grafts.
When to File a Lawsuit
Many people are burned by hot liquids due to their own clumsiness or mistakes. However, there are many burn injury victims who suffer due to the reckless or negligent actions of another person or party.
Restaurant establishments are responsible for serving hot beverages that do not exceed a reasonable temperature. Hot beverages should also be served in sturdy cups that do not increase the risk of a spill.
If unsafe practices at a business or place of work have resulted in a burn injury from a hot liquid, the injury victim may consider filing a burn injury lawsuit. Attorney Gary A. Zucker and his team can look at the details of the burn injury to determine if there are grounds for a personal injury case.
Schedule a Consultation
Serious burn injuries can lead to severe physical, emotional, and financial damages. If you’ve suffered a burn injury and believe that another person or party is at fault, it is important to seek legal counsel. At Gary A. Zucker & Associates, P.C., our personal injury attorneys work hard to help you obtain just compensation for your losses. Schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience to learn more about your legal options.
