In our country, data about large fires are all over the news, with the left arguing they are caused by global warming and the right complaining about the left refusing to let states engage in proper forestry. The evidence shows that arsonists and possibly foreign terrorists cause many fires. Even the Imperial Japanese Army tried to burn down U.S. West Coast forests, using hot air balloons with napalm firebombs to spread a destructive fire across the West Coast.

In California, our 1994 earthquakes knocked over unstrapped weather heaters, igniting natural gas explosions and causing companies, residents, and taxpayers to estimate billions of dollars in property damage from turned structures.

Even lightning and other natural disasters can trigger a sea of flames. Did you know that Christmas trees cause approximately 160 fires (two deaths per annum), costing $10 million in damage? The dried-out trees can become fully engulfed in flames in about 15 to 20 seconds. Even heating equipment can torch your home, leading to horrific fatalities. Because of this, fatalities remain a risk for homeowners.

Whatever the causes, fires can kill, maim, and destroy families. Severe burn injuries and smoke inhalation are often sustained as people attempt to evacuate buildings on their way to the ground floor. Victims of these recent fires can consult a Los Angeles burn injury attorney if they have questions about homeowner’s insurance or injury claims against other liable parties contributing to the fires.

How Did the New Year’s Fires Start, and Who Can Be Held Liable to Cover the Damages?

I am Michael Ehline, a California fire injury lawyer. I am a highly trained burn injury attorney in all things related to fires and burns, including advanced knowledge about the California Department of Forestry (CAL FIRE). Below, I will talk about the two blazes in Colorado, the latest fires, and what to do if you suffer a fire-related loss in California. Finally, I will include some bonus information for wildfire accident victims.

Colorado Fires

Denver-Boulder

Three deadly fires begin the New Year within the first days in three states. The first wildfire happened in Colorado. Fires burned through suburban neighborhoods near Denver-Bolder metropolitan on the west side. The fires reported on December 30th claimed two lives, with a third person missing, burning about 6,000 acres and over 1,000 structures. The Marshall Fire could shift how firefighting and land management are done. Boulder County spokesperson Jennifer Churchill said the total burned and destroyed given by officials included homes, barns, outbuildings, vehicles, and other structures, with the majority burned homes. The fires caused approximately 35,000 evacuations of Louisville, Superior, homes in Boulder County on December 30th, mostly contained quickly.

State of Emergency

Governor Jared Polis said, “This wildfire is, frankly, a force of nature.” The governor declared a state of emergency to deploy the Colorado National Guard and released funds and other resources. The Denver-Bolder suburb wildfires were caused by high winds and ignited by sparks from transformers and power lines in the drought-parched Front Range.

Pennsylvania 

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania was the scene of the following deadly fire. The fire happened in the 800 block of N. 23rd Street. The fire began just before 6:40 a.m. on the 5th. It killed 12 people, including four adults and eight children. Twelve of them died, including three sisters and nine of their sons and daughters. Two, including the 5-year-old and a man who climbed out of a third-story window, were hospitalized with injuries.

Mayor Jim Kenney

The Philadelphia fire happened at a Public Housing Authority property in the Fairmount Section of Philadelphia. Mayor Jim Kenney said at a news conference. Undoubtedly, it was one of the most tragic days in our city’s history. Losing so many kids is devastating … Keep these babies in your prayers.”

The house was originally a single-family dwelling that was later split into two apartments, unit A and unit B. Unit A was on the first floor and part of the second, with eight living there. Unit B, where the fire began, comprised the second and third floors, with eighteen living in that apartment.

The PHA said that when they did their occupancy recertification in October, they were aware of 14 residents in Unit B. A Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections spokesperson said the city does not limit the number of family members that can stay in a single unit.

Firefighter Crews

Murphy said fire crews got the fire under control in less than an hour, rescuing one child who later died from their injuries. The first 911 call about the fire in the 800 block of N.23rd Street was received at 6:36:28 and answered immediately. This was the first of 36 calls to 911 between 6:36 a.m. and 6:39 a.m. Battling a fire or handling any other disaster is the priority.

Firefighter officials arrived on the scene of the building blaze four minutes after the first call. The Philadelphia Fire Department was en route to the location at 6:38:27 a.m.com, where the alleged kitchen fire broke out at 6:40 a.m.

Smoke Alarms?

On Wednesday night, the city said firefighters encountered heavy smoke with limited visibility and heat on all floors. Firefighters said the home had no working smoke detectors.
PHA said the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors were in working order during a spring 2021 inspection. Allegedly, all smoke detectors were operating correctly in the 2021 inspection.

Philadelphia Housing Authority Statements?

There were seven smoke detectors, including three carbon monoxide detectors in one location, six smoke detectors, and three in another apartment during a 2021 inspection. Kelvin Jeremiah, the director of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, said: “This incident … highlights the fundamental truth that there is, in fact, an affordable housing crisis in the city.”

Investigation – Where the Fire Began

Because of the deadly row home blaze, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives said they were bringing in the ATF’s National Response Team. This team specializes in the origin and cause of fires.

The Philadelphia Fire Commissioner said, “We believe with certainty—so 99 to 100% confidence—that the first item ignited on the second-floor Unit B was a tree ignited by a lighter near the Christmas tree.” A 5-year-old child was the only person in the second unit where the tree and lighter started the blaze. The 5-year-old child remains one of two survivors.

The National Fire Protection Association Opinion?

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fires involving a Christmas tree are much more likely to be fatal than other house fires. Officials said eight of the residents of the two units escaped the flames and falling rubble. Rosalee McDonald, Virginia Thomas, and Quinsha White were three adults who died. The dead children were Dekwan Robinson, Destiny McDonald, Janiyah Roberts, J’Kwan Robinson, Natasha Wayne, Quientien Tate-McDonald, Shaniece Wayne, Taniesha Robinson, and Tiffany Robinson. They allegedly died of smoke inhalation.

New York City 

Bronx

A deadly fire occurred Sunday, January 9th, in the 19-story Twin Parks Towers North West building. The apartment fire killed nineteen people, including nine children. Dozens more suffered injuries at 333 East 181st Street. The fires blazed because of a malfunctioning space heater, officials said.

The fire stayed contained in the unit where it began, but the smoke traveled through the hallways and stairwells to other apartments. Firefighters had the fire out by 1:00 p.m. and evacuated residents through windows and down ladders. Some firefighters ran out of oxygen while rescuing high-rise residents and continued without it.

Officials said this is the deadliest space heater fire in over three decades. Nineteen people died, including nine children. Forty-four people suffered injuries, with 13 in critical condition.

The reason the door did not close automatically is under investigation. This allowed smoke to fill the building, causing smoke inhalation.

In the press event, the FDNY Commissioner said we transported the deceased to seven different hospitals and reduced the number from 19 to 17, citing a double count of two casualties. It’s likely the death toll will multiply. The injured remain in critical condition.

They report that approximately 44 people suffered injuries, with at least 13 in hospitals with several incubated. The FDNY Commissioner said the heroic efforts of firefighters and EMS, along with hospitals, the death toll could have gone much higher.

A public servant said those hurt remain in area hospitals spread out in several hospitals, including Jacobi Medical Center, Westchester Medical Center, and New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Cornell. The damage did not affect the structural integrity.

FDNY Commissioner Nigro said they erected the high-rise in 1972 under the federal government. He said they potentially built it outside the New York City fire code: it had no access to fire escapes and only had the internal stairwell. (accounts from residents and investigators confirm a bedroom and a portable electric heater likely caused the spark).

Owners Statement

“We are devastated by the unimaginable loss of life caused by this profound tragedy,” it said. “We cooperate fully with the Fire Department and other agencies as they investigate its cause, and we are doing all we can to assist our residents.”

Resident Where the Fire Started

Eyewitness News reporter Josh Singer spoke with Mamadou Wague, who told the reporter the fire started in his duplex. He lives with his wife and eight children. As they awoke from slumber, they screamed Fire, Fire, Fire! When Wague saw the mattress fire, he told everyone to get out. Malfunctioning ceiling smoke alarms on the upper floors are also under investigation.

New Mayor Eric Adams

Mayor Eric Adams and the commissioner released the number of residents suffering injuries in the high-rise blaze. They said thirty-two were transported to area hospitals with life-threatening injuries, and nine were hospitalized with severe injuries. Sixty-three people sustained injuries. Adam said sadly, 19 of the injured were lost.

Displaced Residents

The American Red Cross gave the residents displaced by the fire hotel rooms until they could return to their apartments in the 19-story Twin Parks Towers North West or find other permanent public housing. They will Continue to Support the people.

The Mayor said 30 people remained hospitalized. Many injured were Muslim immigrants from the West African community (Gambia).

The apartment high-rise fire was the worst the Bronx has seen since 87 people died in an intentionally set nightclub fire in 1990. Other apartment fires with doors left open include a 2017 fire in which 13 people died when a young boy in a first-floor apartment played with the stove. The fire spread quickly through the building. In California, you can sue negligent manufacturers of space heaters, slumlords, and even your insurance company under bad faith insurance rules. You can contact Ehline Law Firm at (213) 596-9642 if you need a superior burn injury lawyer.

How Can You Be Prepared for Wildfires in California?

Individuals often have little time to evacuate when a wildfire warning is issued. Ready.gov provides information about how to remain safe during a wildfire by preparing for a wildfire before the conflagration breaks out and how to remain safe during and after the wildfire.

Tips that the website provides for preparing now include:

• Sign up for natural and local EMS warning systems.
• Plan multiple egress routes from your location, including a designated staging area.
• Prepare a disaster kit (bug-out bag), including N95 respirators, to avoid breathing in deadly carcinogens.
• When no evacuation order is given, authorities suggest creating a “safe” space that remains sealed from smoky air. A HEPA air filtration system could be utilized to filter the contaminated air.
• Always keep essential heirlooms and legal documents in a fireproof safe and make photocopies stored online or on a thumb drive offsite.
• Use flame-resistant building materials.
• Purchase proper insurance coverage.
• Evacuate right away if notified to do so. If you cannot escape, contact 911 n.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for alerts and information if you have reception.
• Wear your mask and perhaps a wet towel over your face to prevent you from being affected by poor-quality air and toxins you could breathe.

Cal Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Observations

The CDFFP suggests that when a wildfire has burned out:

• Exercise caution when returning to your property/residence. This is because there could be smoking hot areas, including weakened structures, falling debris, and other hazardous conditions.
• Photograph property damage and take notes. To learn more, visit the Cal Fire website.

Contact a California New YeYearildfire Injury Attorney For a Free LEGAL Consultation

The destruction caused by wildfires is colossal. The reported insurance claims from California’s November 2018 wildfires alone are well over $11.4 billion, with wildfire insurance claims in 2017 costing about $12.4 billion.

Do you need help filing an insurance claim? Are you sick of bartering with insurance adjusters who try to lowball you? Are you now broke and homeless and need help getting back on your feet to secure a financial future? Contact a superior California wildfire injury attorney for assistance in helping you through the complex legal process and filing an insurance claim.

We’ll provide you with a free consultation review of your information and research to help you receive maximum compensation for your injuries, property damage, or wrongful death and even file a lawsuit on your behalf. Contact Ehline Law immediately to learn more than the general information and discuss your legal options with a highly rated injury lawyer in CA.

From September 6th, 2020, to December 16th, 2020, the Bobcat inferno affected over 115,000 acres. Among the largest fires in Los Angeles County history, the Federal Investigators examined evidence provided by SoCal Edison regarding their power transmission facility in the reported Cogswell Dam community area of Bobcat Fire ignition locations.

The facts show that SoCal Edison equipment experienced major problems five minutes earlier, sparking the Bobcat fire flames. Southern California Edison forwarded a letter to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) suggesting the inferno was ignited after tree branches rubbed against an overhead conductor maintained by SoCal Edison. SoCal Edison announced it had assisted the U.S. Forest Service in investigating the Bobcat fire cause(s).

At the outset, this was no ordinary campfire. Authorities seek to determine the role of faulty Socal Edison utility equipment in causing the massive Bobcat fire, injury, and associated economic losses. I am Los Angeles burn injury lawyer Michael Ehline. Below, I will explain everything property and business owners must know about the utility company and their Southern California Bobcat fire case.

Bobcat Fire Impact

The Bobcat Fire impacted locals for over three months, causing one of the largest fires in Los Angeles County history. After the Bobcat fire, wildfire victims and other plaintiffs needed help with their home insurance, as many insurers pulled the plug on specific zip codes.

They were unwilling to accommodate the insured’s reasonable expectations, who had already paid premiums sufficient to cover Bobcat fire claims from the smallest to the largest fires.

Wildfire Legal Center?

Our wildfire legal center monitors the forest service, SoCal Edison utility equipment, and power transmission facility. We understand that a campfire does not ignite a fiery blaze on the property alone.

AnWelso understands that the “good” insurance carrier will fight over the last penny to avoid paying, let alone reimburse you for out-of-pocket expenses. Our attorneys provide investigations and legal advice to property owners to help them recover more compensation for the latest Bobcat fire. If not, we will happily file a Bobcat Fire Lawsuit on your behalf.

We will expertly handle the fire claims investigation process. We have vast experience dealing with federal investigators and examining the evidence provided confidentially as part of the client-attorney relationship. Our job is to hold the parties responsible in court for causing livestock loss and damage to livelihoods caused by a calamity wildfire victims recently suffered.

Are You a Victim of a Wildfire in Los Angeles County?

Our legendary law firm represents plaintiffs. Our past results amount to over $150 million in common damage categories. Whatever upheaval caused your pain and struggle, Ehline Law and our Bobcat wildfire lawyers have been working with dedication on behalf of the victims of this violent Bobcat fire incident. Do you have questions about bringing a Bobcat Fire Lawsuit? We can help 24/7.

Ehline Law Takes the Attorney-Client Relationship Very Seriously

We help victims seek damages to receive much-needed and accurately calculated compensation. We can help with this significant issue to help clients sort out their destroyed home troubles for a better case outcome.

We can assist with inverse condemnation issues and negligent fire burn injury claims. If you’ve been affected by damages to trees, timber, underwood, depreciation to underinsured homes, or business losses damage from the Bobcat Fire, we can help. Do you live or work in Los Angeles County? Call (213) 596-9642. Our lawyers will review insurance policies and provide you with crucial legal advice today from Ehline Law. Most people realize their future results.

The Bobcat Fire Began in September 2020

During the 2020 California wildfire season, the Bobcat wildfire started on September 6th in the Central San Gabriel Mountains. The massive fire spread through the Angeles National Forest, resulting in local wildlife fire injury and death. But no one scrambled to fire a Bobcat Fire Lawsuit since the causes were disputed.

What Started the Bobcat Fire?

Was this a utility company-related wildfire? Many believe Southern California Edison equipment created the wildfire after dry tree branches contacted their powerline conductor. The report mentioned a power interruption for a few minutes after the wildfire was initially discovered, leading many to believe that the company was responsible for the fire breakout due to negligence. To this day, finger-pointing by SoCal Edison and others has prevented payments to the fire victims.

Breathing and Quality of Life?

Residents in and around the area had to evacuate immediately, leaving their homes and belongings behind. The wildfire threatened 6,000 structures, injured six people, destroyed 27 homes, damaged 28 residences, and damaged 83 other structures. The fire pollution from the wildfire affected residents in nearby areas, leading to breathing problems and affecting their quality of life.

We have looked at recent California wildfires, including the Dixie fire. We’ve seen how law firms in Northern California arranged a Dixie Fire zoZoomeeting to talk to the wildfire victims and help them compensate.

Wildfires are a massive threat to the region, its people, and the wildlife around the most significant fires. Suppose you are a wildfire victim. You might have a compensation case to recover insurance money.

There is still time to file claims in that case, so contact our California wildfire lawyer today without delay!

What Kind of Bobcat Fire Claims Can You File?

The amount of claims one can file depends on the severity of the situation. In the case of the Bobcat wildfire, there are damages that you can claim even if your insurance policy does not cover it.

Some of the most common types of damages that a Bobcat wildfire victim can claim are business losses, medical treatment, emotional trauma, loss of property, wrongful death, lost wages, personal injury, loss of vegetation (agricultural lands), loss of lives (poultry, livestock, and pets), and more.

Economic Damages Available to Bobcat Wildfire Victims

Economic damages could include repair of the victim’s home, replacement of the contents in the house before the fire, costs to replace trees and vegetation on the property, business/office expenses if the businesses got affected by the wildfire, alternate living expenses, land emotional distress harm, and many other types of costs.

Even those looking to sell their property before the fire can claim repair costs and property valuation costs to help minimize devastating property damage due to the fire. Expert California Bobcat wildfire attorneys can help you determine your losses and file for claims with the insurer accordingly.

Legal, Court, and Attorney Fees

Statutory damages include all legal, court, and attorney fees; victims can claim these expenses from the defendants. This legislatively proscribed process provides an excellent way for victims to avoid paying out-of-pocket legal costs when seeking legal advice and pursuing legal action.

Should You Contact Your Insurance Company?

Many insurers have backed down from compensating the victims of a wildfire catastrophe or do not offer further claims in the region. This halt was caused by the number of victims filing claims with their insurers. However, insurance companies do not like processing claims as they bite into their profits, resulting in claim denials.

Reasonable Expectations of the Victims?

The duty of care requires insurers to act in good faith and uphold their end of the bargain—providing compensation to the insured who have already paid premiums in advance. However, during other wildfire incidents, we saw how insurance companies breached that duty of care by denying claims without even looking at the details of the insured.

Although insurance companies have backed down from the claims after the wildfire, your insurance policy remains intact if purchased before the fire broke out. In such a case, you should contact your insurance company immediately without any delays.

This can further delay your compensation and even lead to denials if you don’t approach insurers within the two-year claims period mentioned in the statute of limitations.

How Can You Help Our Law Firm Win Your Fire Claims?

You can ask your insurers for a copy of your insurance policy so that they can find out what kind of damages you can claim. You might even get compensation for alternate living arrangements within a specific dollar value, so getting a copy of your insurance policy should be your priority.

Make sure you bring down the insurance company to the site before you start to salvage anything. Take many pictures and videos, as this will help create a strong case against insurers refusing to compensate the insured for their loss.

Do You Get Compensation Even If You’re Underinsured or Uninsured?

Insurance companies try to recover money from the negligent parties during these situations; from that amount, they can settle compensation for the victims. Although insurers like to keep a considerable chunk for themselves, your case and solid legal representation will determine what you get from the insurers.

Whether you’re insured or underinsured, the insurance company must compensate the victims for their fair share. Insurers are already in negotiations with the negligent parties. In many situations, wildfire cases are an act of negligence by big corporations. We saw this occur in 2017 when Pacific Gas & Electric Company and its equipment spread the wildfire, resulting in a $13.5 billion settlement for the victims.

How Can a Bobcat Fire Lawyer Help You with Your Wildfire Case?

The most challenging part of applying for claims is determining the claim’s value before applying, as this will generally get a reaction from the insurance company. Asking for ridiculous amounts of claims without any evidence can lead to an instant dismissal of your claims. Although you can then appeal the decision, it will take a lot of our expert California Bobcat fire lawyers to help you determine the value of the claims, as they have the right resources and experience. Our lawyers can bring in leading medical experts to assess the victims’ medical damages while other experienced investigators assess further economic damages and poor air quality.

Having a lawyer on your side can also help expedite the claims process. Insurance companies like to delay claims and go back and forth with victims until many accept lowball settlement offers when they deserve more. A lawyer will file claims on your behalf, ensuring that every document and detail provided is correct and dealing with the insurer.

With a grasp of California law, our lawyers are well-equipped to use the law against negligent parties and get the victims the compensation they deserve.

How Can Ehline Law Help You?

Ehline Law is a rising personal injury law firm that stays active in discussing issues that constitute legal advice and creating legal awareness in the media. Our lawyers have recovered over $3 million in compensation for over 3,000 successful clients across California.

Here are some of the reasons that set us apart from other law firms:

• We are led by Michael Ehline, a former US Marine trial lawyer who spent his life serving his country and its people. The principles of compassion and justice are at the core of Ehline Law, whose lawyers operate on a no-win-no-fee basis.
• Ehline Law has won several awards, like Superlawyers Rising Star, Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Premier Personal Injury Attorneys, and more. Our lawyers have also made positive contributions to the California Bar Journal.
• We understand how difficult life is when you have no home to return to, and this is why we strive to be the leading voice of all the victims of wildfires across California. You can contact our lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your case and the possible legal options you have. Don’t worry. It’s top secret, and you have no obligation to have us handle your claim after receiving your free consultation.

Contact Ehline Law Bobcat Fire Personal Injury Law Firm Today!

Contact us if you’ve been a victim of the Bobcat wildfire or if your loved ones were affected. Our phone number is atis213) 596-9642, or visit our local law offices. We have over 15 locations servicing California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, Garden Grove, and nearby cities.

We understand the emotional trauma and the struggles associated with wildfire evacuations and know that money will not help heal the pain. However, monetary compensation can help you and your family get back on your feet and pay for burgeoning bills. We take the attorney-client relationship seriously and want to help your loved one.

Call now!

Citations

1. https://www.courts.ca.gov/9618.htm?rdeLocaleAttr=en
2. https://www.npr.org/2020/09/20/915072554/as-firefighters-battle-dozens-of-blazes-californias-bobcat-fire-nears-100-000-ac

Below, our compassionate Los Angeles burn injury attorney, Michael Ehline, delves into hot liquid burns and scalds. In the end, he will include some bonus information to assist you in finding the best help for scald burns in L.A.

A Burn Caused by Liquid, like Coffee, Tea, Steam, or other Drink, is a Scald Burn

Many burns directly result from dry heat, such as a fire, but a burn from hot beverages, for example, is commonly referred to as a scald. According to the American Burn Association, more than half a million people in the country suffer from scalding injuries from hot liquids. Besides the consumption of hot liquids, workers near hot liquids at their workplaces (including factories, construction sites, hot water in kitchens, and more) are at a higher risk of severe burns and scalds due to inadequate safety gear and failure to stay at a safe distance from back burners, hot water, steam from cooking, etc.

Very Hot Beverages and Liquids Can Cause Severe Burns and Scalds

If you received scald burn injuries from hot liquids or from drinking hot beverages, you should seek the help of our hot liquid burn lawyers to help you handle the financial compensation process.

Hot Drinks and Esophageal Cancer: The Truth

Since the 1930s, there has been a theory that suggests scorching beverages burn the inner linings of the esophagus. Constant burning results in cell regeneration. Still, during this process, normal cells can turn into cancerous cells, thus leading to esophageal cancer (very hot beverages are the primary culprit).

Earlier studies conducted on animals suggested that hot liquids could damage the cells. However, the study results cannot apply to humans since the hot liquids administered to animals were at extremely high temperatures, something people may not consider.

In 2016, the World Health Organization conducted a study where they would monitor the results of the consumption of hot liquids by people in countries across Asia, Africa, and more. China also conducted a study where they tried to find out the link between hot drinks and esophageal cancer. These studies only showed an increased risk of esophageal cancer in subjects who were either alcoholics or smokers.

Is There a Link?

Today, no study suggests a direct link between hot drinks and esophageal cancer among healthy people. However, those who drink alcohol or smoke, or those with common risk factors for cancer such as obesity, are definitely at an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Now that we’ve established that hot drinks may or may not cause cancer directly let’s explore the reality that hot beverages tend to cause severe burns to your skin.

Hot Beverages Can Burn Your Skin

A hot drink can take only five seconds or less to burn your skin if it is 140 °F or more. Hot beverages, such as coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, are usually served between 160 and 180 °F, enough to burn your throat, tongue, and mouth.

Below the skin layer are nerves that send signals to the brain to register pain. A skin burn from hot liquids requires immediate medical attention as it can damage the tissues, nerves, and even the muscles. Some hot liquid victims risk contracting bacterial infections from these burns since they can open the skin.

Injuries may vary in severity depending on the temperature of very hot beverages and the duration of exposure. Understanding how liquids can cause scald burns is essential so the victim can immediately take the necessary steps to protect themselves.

Degree of Burns

There are three types of burns, and they are:

• First-degree burns
• Second-degree burns
• Third-degree burns and scalds.

First-Degree Burns

A superficial burn, or first-degree burn, is a minor burn that affects the epidermis or the skin’s first layer. This type of burn occurs when the hot liquid lightly splashes on the skin, and the contact between the skin and the hot liquid is brief. This type of burn usually happens when you’re boiling liquids or in an environment with hot liquids, such as a factory.

Some symptoms of a first-degree burn to help you identify your burn include immediate pain, change in skin color (pinkish or red), peeling as the healing process starts, and dehydrated skin.

Second-Degree Burns

Also known as a partial-thickness burn, a second-degree burn is a serious burn injury that affects the epidermis and slowly damages the dermis’s second layer. These burns occur when a boiling liquid remains on the skin for a considerable period.

If you’re not sure whether you have a first-degree burn or a second-degree burn, some of the symptoms of a second-degree burn that can help you diagnose your injury include pain over a few weeks, wet skin, blisters, and a change in skin color (red, pink, or white under the blister).

Depending on which body part the burn is on, it may take a couple of weeks to heal. Typically, a second-degree burn heals in under three weeks, but the treatment may require a skin graft. These types of burns can leave unwanted scars that may remain for several years.

Third-degree Burns

Third-degree burns, also known as full-thickness burns, can be life-threatening and lead to complications such as infections. This type of burn is the most dangerous as it ultimately damages all the skin layers. Prolonged exposure to boiling or hot liquids can deliver nasty third-degree burns, which can be fatal without immediate medical care.

Symptoms of a third-degree burn include no or very little pain, fever, weakness, completely damaged skin, change in skin color, and greyish or blackish skin.

Third-degree burns can cause infections requiring hospitalization, antibiotics, and, in some cases, even surgeries.

Relationship Between Temperatures and Time

The severity of the injuries depends on the liquid’s temperature and the time the skin remains exposed to it.

Here is some information to help guide you on the relationship between the two variables that can lead to serious burns:

• 98 °F – Optimum temperature for bathing
• 118 °F – 5 minutes
• 124 °F – 3 minutes
• 140 °F – 5 seconds
• 155 °F – 1 second.

High-Risk Groups: Who Is More at Risk of Scalding?

Besides workers working in environments that can cause thermal injury, certain groups of people risk burning themselves more than others.

Young Children

Due to their thinner skin, small children are more prone to burn injuries than adults, resulting in much deeper burns. Since a child’s body is much smaller than that of a full-grown adult, the proportion of the body burned is considerable. For example, a cup of hot tea spilled on small children will affect a much larger area than the cup spilled on an adult’s body.

Small children also have fewer perceptions of danger and a lot of curiosity. They do not understand the repercussions of what may happen if they touch hot water, and they certainly do not possess the ability to escape a burning situation.

Older Adults

Older adults are like younger children because they, too, have thinner skin. They may also have medical conditions that may not register pain upon impact, thus causing an injury. Due to their body condition and old age, their bodies do not remove heat from burned tissue as quickly as adults, resulting in more profound and prolonged burns.

Older adults are also at an increased risk of burns as they are more prone to slips and falls. A fall in a bathtub with hot water or a slip while carrying hot drinks can result in serious injuries.

How Should You Treat a Burn or a Scald?

You may want to call emergency services to treat your burn wounds, but they will take a few minutes to reach your location. It is essential to administer immediate care to subdue the burn and stop it from spreading broader and more profoundly.

Here are some tips you should follow to treat your burns until the emergency services arrive:

• Remove the heat source and run the burned area under cool water for 20 minutes. A continuous flow of cool water can provide instant relief and stop the burn from spreading. You need to maintain body heat, so do not treat your burns with cold water or ice.
• Remove any cloth from the burned area to ensure enough room for swelling.
• Use a clean cloth to cover your burn, and if possible, keep the burned area above the heart level.

Taking these measures can help prevent further damage from the burn and allow enough time for the paramedics to reach your location and provide medical care. Proper care and precautions are essential to prevent scald injuries.

Here are some ways you can prevent yourself or your loved ones from getting scalding burns:

Preventing Scalding Burn from Hot Liquid

Most people heat liquids or food at too high temperatures, as this is usually done to kill any germs or bacteria that the food or liquid may harbor. When drinking hot beverages, letting them sit for a while to cool can prevent the risk of scalding burns. New moms who warm up the milk for their infant children should allow a few drops to touch their palms before feeding them to check if the milk isn’t too hot.

Besides letting scorching beverages sit to cool and checking your infant’s feed, here are a few other ways you can prevent scalding burns around your home and protect your household:

• Create a safe zone in the house for the children to play in. This “safe zone” could be in the kitchen, where the children can observe from a distance what their parents are doing or in any other part of the home. Ensure all dangerous equipment, like the stove, is away from the safe zone, and don’t bring any hot food or drinks into it.
• When using the microwave, make sure that you’re heating your food at a low temperature. The microwave is on a high heat setting most of the time, resulting in the food heating unevenly. It may seem cold on the outside but scorching hot on the inside.
• While holding hot drinks, be careful by watching your step. It is common for people to trip on something, resulting in the hot drink running over them. If it’s too hot, it will scald their skin. If you’re holding your child in your arms, make sure that you’re not carrying any hot drinks. Young children’s and elderly people’s skin is sensitive to heat, and hot drinks can seriously injure these groups of people more than adults.
• When preparing a bath, mix cold water with hot water since a water heater does not have a numerical temperature setting.
• If you live with small children or older adults, install anti-scald devices across your home to protect them from receiving burns.

Always ensure safety equipment is around the house. For example, in the kitchen, you can purchase pots and pans with lids and handles that remain cool. Or perhaps invest in a glove to protect you from the heat when moving hot pans with hot liquids in them.

Wear Safety Equipment Both at Home and Work When Necessary

Safety gear is essential in the workplace to prevent such burns. Your employer’s responsibility is to ensure a safe and conducive working environment for all workers. If you risk injuries due to inadequate safety equipment, speaking to an attorney about it is essential.

Contact a Personal Injury Burn Attorney If You Suffered from Scald Burns

If you received burn injuries at work, a restaurant, or any other place that was not your fault, contact us at (213) 596-9642 for a free consultation with our legal experts. You may be eligible for compensation.

Ehline Law is Here for You

You can even visit law offices across California for a free case review. Our attorneys will review your burn injury case and provide you with the possible legal options to help you recover compensation.