Author: MichaelEhline

When Is a Burn Victim Transferred to a Burn Center?

Written by MichaelEhline on November 29, 2024. Posted in Burn Injury Blog.

Burn centers are special medical centers where burn wounds get treated, and patients get to start their recovery program from severe burns.

However, people have ambiguity about when a burn victim is transferred to a burn center.

Unfortunately, even in such tragic situations, these things matter when claiming insurance compensation.

Before we look at some of the different requirements of burn centers, it is essential to address what these centers do.

Here are some of the reasons why burn patients may get admitted to the burn center:

To receive nursing care
To receive resuscitation when a burn injury poses breathing difficulties
For surgeries in the case of severe burns
To start the rehabilitation therapy.

What Is The Criteria For Burn ICU Admission?

To get admitted into a burn ICU, a burn patient must:

Have around 20% or more of their total body surface area (TBA) burned
Have sustained inhalation injury with burns
Be part of vulnerable groups of people like young children, the elderly, and those with prior health issues.

What Is The Criteria For A Burn Center Patient Transfer?

According to the American Burn Association, not all patients are eligible for a burn center transfer, as there are specific requirements, such as the victim’s age and total body surface area.

Burn victims younger than ten years or older than 50 are more prone to complications from burn injuries and need immediate medical attention. For this group of people, any second-degree burns or higher resulting in burns on 10% of their total body surface area (TBSA) qualify for a burn center transfer. Burn center transfer criteria for all other age groups require around 20% of the total body surface area burned.

Burn center transfer criteria for third-degree burns require the victim to have at least 5% of their total body surface area burned. Second third-degree burns that leave a victim with disfigurements get transferred to the burn center as well.

Other criteria are chemical and electrical burns, especially in the case of lightning strikes.

Those burn injury victims with concomitant trauma pose a greater immediate risk of losing their lives. They must be sent to the burn trauma center immediately before being transferred to a burn center. The doctor must decide according to the regional medical control plan as it can affect mortality.

Burn injury in patients with prior medical conditions also fulfills the criteria for being sent to the burns center.

What Are Some Characteristics of Superficial, Partial, And Full-Thickness Burns?

Sometimes, it can be challenging to diagnose the type of burn a victim has; however, looking at some of the characteristics can help doctors distinguish between them.

Let’s look at some of the main characteristics of the following types of burn injuries:

First-degree burns: Also known as superficial burns, these types are at the epidermis level and cause dryness, redness, swelling, and, in some cases, blisters.
Second-degree burns: Also superficial partial, these types are at the dermis level and cause swelling and moist blisters, which are extremely painful.
Third-degree burns: Also full-thickness, these types are at the hypodermis level and cause the skin to get charred, resembling leather. Such burns prolong recovery periods.

Where Can I Find More Burn Treatment Information In a City Near Me?

Those requiring more information or medical treatment for their burns can get details on a burn center near them by visiting the American Burn Association website and navigating to “Find a burn center.” More significantly, TBSA persons (total body surface area) should immediately visit a burn center near them to get a diagnosis of their condition and see if they are eligible for burn center admission.

Again:

Visit the ABA website
Navigate to “Find a Burn Center.”
Contact those services.

How Can a Burn Injury Lawyer Help Me?

Our burn injury lawyers have vast experience dealing with burn patients with second and third-degree burns and can help evaluate your case and determine your claims. You may be eligible for economic, non-economic, and punitive damages, and our lawyers can help calculate your claims and file a burn injury lawsuit against the negligent parties.

Citations:

https://www.medstarwashington.org/our-services/emergency-trauma-and-burn-care/why-choose-us/criteria-for-referral-to-the-burn-center/

https://www.medscape.com/answers/435402-117240/what-are-the-american-burn-association-burn-center-transfer-criteria

https://www.healthline.com/health/full-thickness-burn

Five Tips for Detecting Elder Abuse from AASC

Written by MichaelEhline on November 29, 2024. Posted in Elder Nursing Abuse Blog.

Elderly abuse can take on many forms, such as neglect, abandonment, and emotional, financial, sexual, and physical abuse. A systematic review from the AASC illustrates that ten percent of abuse reported relates to the elderly population. Elder abuse occurs in various places, such as in the victims’ own homes by their families, in strangers’ homes, and nursing homes by caregivers, other residents, and adult staff members.

Tips for Detecting Elder Abuse from AASC

Be vigilant! As citizens, you can do your bit to care for the rights of older people. Here are a few tips to detect elder abuse:

Neglect

Keep a watchful eye on those older adults who look frail and fragile. In terms of clinical practice, you can identify them by their deteriorating health, dirty environment, foul odor, and constant wearing of dirty clothes. These victims display neglect and need care. If the victim lives at home, they need to be removed from their abusive or neglectful family members and transferred to a safe environment where there are older adults who will curtail the abuse.

Financial

An inspection of older people’s financial circumstances should be done regularly, as this can be one of the signs of abuse. If the review reveals unusual purchases and withdrawals from the victims’ bank account or that essential utilities have been disconnected and bills are unpaid. Still, the money is withdrawn, and the number one suspects are usually the victim’s children. Share the news of the suspected abuse with other family members so that you can take action. The perpetrator can be sued for financial abuse and theft.

Physical

Signs of physical abuse include scratching or pinching marks accompanied by visible injuries, sores, cuts, scars, or broken arms or limbs. Remove the adult from the home and admit the victim as a patient in one of many nursing homes to ensure the prevention of further abuse. It would help if you did everything you could to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

Emotional

If an older adult shows signs of changed behavior, for example, they are withdrawn, humiliated, or cannot adequately explain what happened to them; they are probably being emotionally abused. Find another home and institute legal proceedings against those living with the older adult or the caregiver.

Sexual

When you visit an older adult at a nursing home and notice injuries or bleeding to the genitalia or injuries to the breasts, this is a sign of sexual exploitation. You need to investigate and report the matter to the management of the elderly home immediately.

Demand that management responds with a written explanation as this news affects others in the nursing home and has implications for other residents. Do not be silent!

Who Can Sue for Elder Abuse?

The following people are allowed to file an elder abuse lawsuit on behalf of a loved one:

Spouse
Legal guardian
Other family members

Under certain circumstances, the legal heirs may also be able to sue.

Do You Know a Victim of Elder Abuse?

When you see signs of abuse, irrespective of the different types, you must report the matter to an emergency department or adult protective services. You may also file a personal injury case with a knowledgeable attorney.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of elder abuse, the compassionate and experienced attorneys at Ehline Law Firm are here to help! Contact us today at 833 LETS-SUE for a free consultation.

Bellator MMA and Former UFC Star Dies at Age 38 from Undisclosed Illness

Written by MichaelEhline on November 29, 2024. Posted in MMA.

On November 13, 2022, Bellator MMA announced the death of the Ultimate Fighting Champion, Anthony “Rumble” Johnson. Let’s explore the news details with Ehline Law and our personal injury attorneys.

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson Dies at 38, Leaving Fans in Shock Around the World

The Bellator family expressed grief on the sad demise of their comrade, MMA fighter Anthony “Rumble” Johnson, after battling an undisclosed illness. Could this be the making of a sports injury lawsuit?

Rising to the #1 Challenger in the Light Heavyweight Division in UFC

Johnson’s fighting style and the one-punch strike became infamous in the mixed martial arts community. In his MMA career, he earned a 23-6 record (17 knockout victories); in the UFC, Johnson stood at 13-6.

In 2007, Johnson made his UFC debut by knocking out Chad Reiner in just 13 seconds. He fought as a welterweight, but because of weight misses, he fought as a light heavyweight and then heavyweight.

Anthony Johnson returned to the UFC in 2014, challenging Daniel Cormier and eyeing the vacant UFC light heavyweight title after bagging three wins. However, Cormier got him into a rear naked choke, forcing Johnson to tap out.

Johnson competed in three more fights, securing victories after his loss to Cormier. He challenged Cormier in a UFC light heavyweight championship again, but he submitted again to the chokehold and lost his second title fight with Cormier.

Johnson returned to Fighting by Knocking out José Augusto Azevedo in Bellator MMA

In 2017, Johnson retired from the UFC as UFC’s top-ranked light heavyweight. Fans thought his career was over, but Johnson returned to the Bellator cage four years after retirement.

Johnson fought Jose Augusto in 2021 and won by knockout in the first round. He was due to fight Vadim Nemkov in the semifinals, but his illness caused him to withdraw.

Anthony “Rumble” Johnson would swiftly move around and attempt to deliver his deadly infamous knockout punch when in the ring. Upon hearing the tragic news, Daniel Cormier expressed his grief and stated that although he would strike fear in people’s hearts, Anthony Johnson was a caring and loving human being.

Johnson’s Manager Provides a Sad Update on the UFC Vet

On October 28, 2022, Johnson’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, mentioned that the UFC vet continues to struggle with a debilitating illness. They did not mention further details about the disease.

Yahoo Sports mentioned how Johnson had non-Hodgkin lymphoma, cancer that begins in your lymphatic system after diagnosis in 2021, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, a severe systemic inflammatory syndrome that can be fatal. However, these reports are not yet confirmed.

History of Domestic Violence – Could It Be a Sign of the Illness?

In 2008, Johnson was convicted of domestic battery, and in 2014, Anthony Johnson’s history of domestic violence arose when his ex filed a police report. In 2019, he was again arrested for domestic battery after his then-girlfriend called the police in Boca Raton. NFL players have dealt with CTE, which explains the high suicide rate among many.

His time in the cage and repeated blows to the head could have contributed to his illness. There is a recent lawsuit filed by the widow of former USC football player Matthew Gee against the NCAA for causing the death of her husband.

It alleges that Gee’s behavior toward his family changed in the last ten years due to injuries sustained while playing for the NCAA, leading to his death. Perhaps Anthony Johnson’s death could be a similar case.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Ehline Law

If you lost a loved one due to another’s negligence, contact us at (833) LETS-SUE for a free consultation. You may be eligible for compensation.

The Liability Issue at the Heart of Naya Rivera’s Untimely Death

Written by MichaelEhline on November 29, 2024. Posted in California Accident Injury News.

A Terrible Tragedy on The Water

Unfortunately, the story of Naya Rivera ended far too soon. The 33-year-old actress was confirmed dead after a probable boating accident in California. The former Glee star was believed dead after going missing on a boating trip with her son. There is still much information to be released.

However, it appears that the boat may have tipped over. Rivera’s son was found alone in the craft. Unfortunately, on Sunday, authorities found a body. On Monday, it was confirmed to be the former Glee star.

Risk at the Lake

The 33-year-old tied as part of her boating expedition. Only her 4-year-old son survived. He said he and his mother went swimming, yet she did not return to the boat. The accident occurred at Lake Piru in Ventura County, California. Authorities originally had issues during the search due to poor water visibility and objects under the water. Over 80 people were initially involved in the search. The lake is known for its whirlpools— which caused other deaths in the past.

The local officials did not take proper action to protect boaters and swimmers. For the untrained, Lake Piru is a major challenge, which also makes it a significant injury and drowning risk. If authorities did nothing and knew of the risk, they could be liable. Residents requested signs be put up around the lake. However, that hasn’t happened yet. Furthermore, Rivera’s death was not the first at the site. In addition, the risk inherent at the site was ignored.

These factors all come together as a possible case of civic negligence. Local or county officials likely knew of a potentially deadly issue and, for whatever reason, did not act on it. Perhaps it was due to time, maybe it was due to money, or perhaps it was due to willful negligence.

Regardless of the immediate cause, another life was extinguished, at least in part, due to their inaction. The case is still unfolding, and I plan to cover it extensively. I’ve already written an op-ed about the risk of watercraft and possible child endangerment for the unprepared.

I’ll keep on it. You can reach me through other articles on the site or at michael@ehlinelaw.com. God Bless Naya Rivera’s family, and let us all pray that something like this never happens at Lake Piru again.

Was Your Child or Elderly Parent Scalded?

Written by MichaelEhline on November 29, 2024. Posted in Burn Injury Blog.

Burn injuries affect all types of individuals. However, young children and older people are more prone to getting burned than others due to their sensitive skin. Burn injuries can occur by getting in contact with boiling liquids, hot objects, chemicals, electricity, cold, heat, fire, and friction, among many others.

Burn injuries can lead to permanent scarring, with severe cases requiring skin graft surgery. The tragedy is that individuals can avoid burn injuries by taking precautions and ensuring compliance with safety regulations (having a fire extinguisher) put forward by the state and local laws.

If you or a beloved child or elder was abused and suffered burn injuries, contact Ehline Law and our Los Angeles burn injury attorneys immediately to evaluate your case.

Immediate Burn Treatment: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve gotten burned, following the steps below immediately can reduce the pain and severity of the burn:

Immediately run the burn wound under tap water (ensure the water temperature is cool rather than cold, as the wound can risk hypothermia) for about 20 minutes. Many victims run the wound under tap water for a few seconds before panicking and heading to the hospital. This doesn’t seem right, as the wound can burn if not washed correctly. Avoid using ice to prevent burns, as ice can cause further blistering, worsening the burn wounds.
Remove clothing from the burned area after washing the wounds. Leaving burned clothes on the skin can irritate, but avoid removing the clothing if it is stuck to the skin. Pulling or jerking on it can remove the layer of the skin, further worsening the wounds.
Use a sterile cloth or a sterile gauze pad to clean the wound. If it is oozing, seek medical help immediately. You don’t want an infection to start, as it can further complicate things.
Consult a physician if the burn sensation remains after a few hours following the burn injury. Avoid using home remedies, such as butter and grease, on the burn wound, as they can worsen the injury.
Wash chemical burns immediately and contact the Poison Helpline at 1-800-222-1222 or your physician.

Protect Young Children and Your Family with Burn Safety Precautions

Burn injuries are easily avoidable by taking preventable safety measures, which can further avoid any worse situations in case of fire breakouts.

Here is how you can safeguard your family from any fire hazards:

According to state laws, rental homes and apartment buildings must have fire alarms to alarm residents in case of fire breakouts. Modern alarms with long-lasting batteries in your apartment, especially in the kitchen, can help prevent fire incidents involving residents.
Start practicing fire drills at home to ensure the family, including the kids, are ready for any adverse event or a fire spread.
Keep all flammable liquids and materials away from home. When in contact with the fire, these can cause a tremendous explosion, resulting in more devastating damage.
Cover unused electrical outlets to avoid electrical burns if the children try to plug things into them or even their fingers.

Burn Safety Outdoors Precautions

There are also outdoor burn hazards for which you need to take precautions, and these include:

Do not allow your children near grills, campfires, or fire pits, as they can cause nasty burns.
In the United States, temperatures can soar, resulting in high temperatures in parked cars. Before placing your children or baby in the vehicle, ensure that the seat belt and the seats are not hot; if they are, place a towel before placing your child.
Avoid using fireworks. Even if you do it in a safe and controlled environment, your children might learn how to use it and go about using it when not supervised, which can be a considerable danger.

Scalding Burns and Hot Foods

Scald burns are different from fire burns as they happen when the skin comes into contact with hot liquids like boiling water from a water heater, tea, coffee, etc. Surprisingly, more than 30% of the cases that make it to a burn center in the United States are scald injuries. It is not unheard of for mothers to carry hot beverages and their babies, causing scald injuries when an incident occurs.

Tips on Dealing with Hot Food with Children Around

To avoid getting scald injuries, here are the five tips we recommend to families to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones:

Never let your children near the oven or wherever you are cooking. Kids’ curious natures can lead to them touching hot objects. Ensure that you test food temperature before feeding your children.
Start using back burners, as they do not have handles, keeping them out of sight from young kids in the house.
When cooking, shift all the pots and pans containing the hot food to the middle of the kitchen counter rather than its edges. This is to avoid kids pulling on the utensils and burning themselves with hot liquid.
Warming baby food in a microwave is not advised, as the microwave unevenly heats the food. The food might look cold from the outside, but it could be bubbling hot inside. Instead, heat food for your babies using hot water.
Keep oven mitts in the kitchen at all times.

How to Prevent Scalds in the Bathroom

There are specific steps one should take to avoid any scald injuries during bath times, and these can include the following:

Ensure your water heater is at 120 degrees Fahrenheit; anything above this number can easily result in scald injuries if exposed for too long.
Check the bath temperature before letting your children take a bath or placing your baby in the seemingly warm tub. Kids and babies are more sensitive to hot temperatures than adults, and if you feel that the water is not too hot, it might be for the children; hence, check the water temperature.
Water faucets are usually hot if the hot water has been running through them, so it is best to place your child away from the water faucet to avoid touching it.

When dealing with kids, the main concern is that they don’t realize their boundaries and let their curiosity get the best of them. Parents must establish “No Go Zones” in the house where kids don’t have access or can’t reach. For example, the radius around space heaters and fireplaces is a no-zone area for young children.

When Is Hospitalization Necessary for Burn Injuries?

Not all burn injuries require hospitalization, as minor burn injury victims can recover at home. However, those facing severe injuries can lead to complications. Hence, it is best to get hospitalized to receive medical attention immediately.

Here are a few situations that may require hospitalization:

Third-degree burns
More than 10% of the body gets burned
Burns on the face, hand, genitals, or moving joints
Young children.

Contact Our California Burn Injury Attorneys for Your Case Today

Have you gotten burn injuries that were not your fault? Is your loved one hurt due to someone else’s negligence? Our attorneys are personal injury experts and can help determine the cause of the incident, investigate and collect evidence, and help you establish an individual injury case to get the compensation you deserve.

Call us now for more information on how we can help you. Contact us at (213) 596-9642 and get a free consultation with our California burn injury lawyers today.

Citations

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/Treating-and-Preventing-Burns.aspx

https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/DDA/dda/documents/Caregiver%20Alert%20Template%20-%20Hot.pdf

https://www.thesilverlining.com/westbendcares/blog/five-tips-to-prevent-burns-and-scalds-in-your-family