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Cancer Risks Rising For Those Living By Wildfires

A constant rise is being recorded in cases including heart attacks and breathing issues. The uptick in these cases is attributed to wildfire incidents. A surge has been recorded in wildfires in recent years, and one of the recent occurrences is the New Mexico wildfire. Exposure to wildfires increases cancer, period. And it’s not just a higher incidence of lung cancer.

Fires and Cancer

Learn about the carcinogenic environmental pollutants released by wildfires. Exposure to wildfires increases cancer, period. And it’s not just a higher incidence of lung cancer. The reports mentioned that many diseases besides the risk of certain cancers are growing in people who are unfortunate to live near places where wildfires occur.

Canadian Research Makes Alarming Revelations

It’s not just climate change we’re talking about when we mention the health effects of human carcinogens in wildfire pollutants. Researchers at McGill University from Canada have from Canada recently shared their research data about wildfires and the impact of wildfires on nearby areas. McGill University researchers have discovered that ever since the rise in wildfire incidents, a significant surge has been recorded in the cases of brain cancer and lung cancer from wildfire pollutants even after the fire has stopped burning.

The research has confirmed that people living near a 30-mile radius of the wildfires are more likely to grow symptoms and have a greater incidence of lung cancer and brain tumors. The researchers based their research on 20-year data. The first decade they researched was before the wildfire, and the second decade was post-wildfire.

Their research has established that people with the mentioned radius have 10% more chances of being diagnosed with lung cancer and brain tumors. For the lung cancer cases, the same people have a 5% higher incidence of lung cancer and brain tumors compared to people living outside the particular radius.

Scott Weichenthal Makes His Statement

Scott Weichenthal is an associate professor at McGill University’s health and biostatistics department. Weichenthal reportedly led the research, making alarming discoveries about carcinogenic wildfire pollutants.

Weichenthal revealed that they were getting constant signals of rising brain cancer and lung cancer risks. When they paid close attention and tried finding a similarity, they discovered they were all living near the wildfire occurrences.

Based on their research and tests, they have concluded what has caused this problem. They revealed that carcinogens get released into the air when a wildfire occurs. This is the only logical explanation for the constant rise in cancer cases.

What is Causing These Wildfires?

Shockingly, there is only one natural cause of wildfires; several causes involve humans. These wildfires take place in prairies, grasslands, or forests. In most wildfire cases, the causes were arson, power line sparks, cigarette butts that are still-lit, and unattended campfires.

Wildfires are Occurring in Almost Similar Areas

The McGill University study recorded that wildfires occur at places commonly known for having several wildfire occurrences. This means that most areas with wildfires are highly prone to such disasters.

Therefore, people living near such wildfires risk developing symptoms of lung cancer or brain cancer. Due to the repeated wildfire occurrences in the same places, people in the surrounding areas are being exposed to opens.

Proximity To Forest Fires Could Increase Cancer Risk?

Yes. The presence of carcinogen chemicals in people living near wildfires is much higher than that of people living further away from such areas. In recent years, wildfire occurrences have also picked up the pace. Due to the increased number of wildfire events, pollutants are becoming common in the areas, causing colossal damage to the health of people in such areas.

Over time, the wildfires have grown and continue to burn for days and weeks. In the past, wildfire cases were very few, but now, they are increasing in size and volume. The primary attribute of the constant rise in wildfire cases is global warming.

It has continued impacting the global environment, and the wildfire season has grown larger. He confirmed that he was accompanied by his colleagues and one of the Ph.D. students, Jill Korsiak. Jill Korsiak reportedly analyzed the data collected from the sources and helped with the research documentation about specific types of lung and cancer risks.

“Many of the pollutants emitted by wildfires are known human carcinogens, suggesting that exposure could increase cancer risk in humans,” according to Ms. Jill Korsiak. The study also goes into brain tumors, as discussed above. Believe it or not, many people could be held legally liable, including product manufacturers who knew or should have known that exposure to wildfires transmutes their products into cancer-causing intoxicants, increasing the risks of developing cancerous diseases.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Residential Fire Cancer Lawyer

What do you think about Jill Korsiak and her conclusions? We believe she is on to something. Did you or your loved one contract lung cancer or brain cancer after exposure to Southern California wildfires? Contact our severe burn injury lawyers today to discover more about cancer, fire, and financial compensation from negligent parties causing the toxic exposure causing lung cancer or brain cancer in your family.

How about some other cancers and brain tumors? The incidence of lung cancer among wildfire victims is appalling.

Our world-class law firm has helped thousands recover financial compensation from at-fault defendants. Learn more during our free case consultation, 24 hours a day, seven days per week, from top-notch personal injury lawyers in Los Angeles County.

Call us today at (213) 596-9642 or use our convenient online contact form for informational purposes and a prompt callback. We are eager to help you get back on your feet after a fire-related accident.

Citations:

  • McGill University, Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health (Canada)
  • The Lancet Planetary Health

What Is the Worst Kind of Burn Injury?

Were you burned due to the carelessness or recklessness of another person? I am Michael Ehline, a Los Angeles burn injury lawyer. I have over 30 years of collective experience, first as a paralegal and now as a member of the California State Bar. I fight to help people like you receive maximum compensation for their burn and scald claims. Today, I explain the worst kinds of brain injuries and how you can recover financial compensation.

Many have to live with pain and suffering, mental anguish, and disfigurement, while in extreme cases, a burn patient may never recover from the skin’s leathery appearance.

Or the burn victim could die from their mortal wounds. (Children can be killed by discharges from electrical outlets or hot objects like a burning stovetop, etc.)

Common Causes of Burns

Many people believe that fire is the only cause of burns. However, there are many different common causes of burns you can receive, and some of these include:

  • Thermal burns
  • Chemical burns
  • Radiation burns
  • Electrical burns
  • And more.

The different common causes of burns can deliver varying degrees of long-term tissue damage severity, and burn injury treatment must follow accordingly.

Let’s look at the different types and degrees of burns a person can receive and some treatment options. (Cool water on the burned area, or medical care for profound red top layer epidermis infection symptoms or blisters diagnosis?) In most cases, a doctor should never leave the painful, affected area untreated.

Classification of Burns

Different types and degrees of burns constitute the severity of it and the damages a person can receive.

First-degree Burns

These types of burns affect the outer layer of the skin and are also referred to as superficial burns. They cause minor injuries to the burn victim, such as redness and swelling. Severe first-degree burns also affect the outer layer of skin, resulting in swelling and a bit of blistering; however, these types can easily heal at home without the need for immediate medical attention.

When you get a first-degree burn, remove the article of clothing and run the affected skin under cool tap water for 20 minutes to finish the burning sensation.

Second-degree Burns

A person’s outer layer of skin gets burned with second-degree burns, and the inner is called the dermis. Second-degree burns are also referred to as superficial partial burns. They are more painful than first-degree burns since they penetrate the nerve endings responsible for registering pain.

Second-degree burns require medical attention for pain management if the swelling increases, but these types of burns do not come with scarring unless they are deep, partial-thickness burns.

Third-degree Burns

Ultimately damaging the nerve endings, you won’t feel any pain with third-degree burns, but the skin does turn color to black, brown, or yellow. The burn goes deeper than second-degree burns, destroying the two layers of the skin, and these types of burns are severe, requiring immediate medical attention and, in severe cases, a transfer to the burn center. You will also need skin grafting surgery if your skin has severe burns.

Due to advanced medicine, survivability has increased for burn patients over the years. However, there are still risks of complications and death. If the burn victim manages to survive, the psychological trauma that follows can cause anxiety and depression, requiring therapy.

Fourth-degree Burns

These are the most dangerous and life-threatening burns a person can receive since the burn travels to the fat, muscles, and bones while destroying tendons and more. The skin turns leathery and looks charred, and the healing process is extremely slow for this lousy burn. Generally, victims at this stage can give up mentally and lose the will to fight and live another day.

If you’re unsure about your health condition after getting burned, visit the local doctor. The doctor can provide medical advice on the burn and guide you accordingly.

Burn injury prevention can be improved by installing smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher with fire retardant spray chemicals in your home and place of work. Staying out of the sun and heat can also ease swollen lungs and decrease skin cancer, one of the most common causes of this disease.

Contact Ehline Law, Today

If you got a nasty burn that was not your fault, contact us at (213) 596-9642 and get a free consultation with our burn injury attorneys today. We will help compile all medically reviewed reports, determine your claims, and get the compensation you need to get your life back on track.

Citations

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P01737

https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/types-degrees-burns

How To Treat a Serious Burn Injury

Introduction to How to Treat A Burn Injury

Assessing the severity of a burn is an integral part of determining how to treat the injury and whether to evacuate the burn victim.

What are the Burn Injury Treatment Instructions?

Difficulty Level: Check for Moderate Burns First.

What are the Steps?

1.

Step One

The first step in treating a burn injury is the most logical. Look at the wound site to be treated: If the skin is red and painful but there are no blisters, chances are it’s a superficial burn.

2.

Step Two

Look for blistering and wetness and ask about the degree of pain. If blistering is present and the pain is severe, the burn is probably partial thickness.

3.

Step Three

Consider a full-thickness burn if the injured person reports no pain or a dull ache in the center of the burned area. The skin may also look charred and grayish.

4.

Step Four

Look at the injured person’s palm: The palm’s surface area represents approximately 1 percent of the individual’s TBSA (total body surface area).

5.

Step Five

Compare this area to the extent of the burn to arrive at a TBSA figure. Burns covering more than 15 percent (15%) TBSA are life-threatening, especially partial- and full-thickness burns.

6.

Step Six

Continue with treatment for the burn (see also “How to Treat a Burn in the Wilderness“).


Tips & Warnings

  • The terminology of burn depth has changed. Superficial, partial, and full thickness used to be known as first, second, and third degrees. You may be more familiar with that naming system.
  • Blisters may take up to 24 hours to develop in partial-thickness burns, so the lack of blisters doesn’t necessarily mean the injury is only superficial. The degree of pain may be a more reliable immediate measure.

Burns in particular areas are more dangerous than others on the:

  • Face.
  • Neck.
  • Hands.
  • Feet,
  • Armpits.
  • Groin.
  • Genitals.
  • Buttocks.

When in doubt, evacuate the burn victim. *This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment.

Severe Burns, Disfigurement And Other Injuries

With over 1.2 million fires in the country in 2019, thousands of individuals get injured yearly due to such blazes, whether at home, work, or outside. Fire injuries are the worst kind, as they can take a long time to heal, resulting in staggering medical bills for the victims to pay.
If you’ve gotten burn injuries due to someone’s negligence, contact Ehline Law and our Los Angeles burn injury lawyers today for a quick case evaluation.

Causes of Burn Injuries

There are many different causes of burn injuries. Still, the most common causes mentioned by the American Burn Association are electrical burns, chemical burns, fire burns, and scalding injuries from hot liquids.

Types of Burns

Depending on the severity of the burn, there are four different types of burn injuries:

  • First-degree burn: This affects the skin’s outer layer, resulting in minor pain and inflammation. Victims can treat such burns at home without needing emergency medical attention.
  • Second-degree burns: These turns penetrate the outer skin layer and enter the dermis. Such burns leave the skin blistering and can take more than two weeks to heal, while skin graft surgery might be necessary for burn scars with significant burn injuries.
  • Third-degree burns: These are highly severe injuries and require long-term burn treatment. Such burns result in charred or burned skin and deliver extreme pain levels.
  • Fourth-degree burn: The most devastating type of burn injury that can result in amputation since the burn travels to the muscles and the bones.

Besides the four main types of burn injuries, there are also radiation burns common in cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy.

A Severe Burn Injury Can Lead to Disfigurement

A burn injury, depending on the severity of the burn, delivers a jolting and continuous pain as the burn damages the tissues and nerves under the skin. Besides the pain and suffering, the disfigurement that comes with severe burn injuries can socially affect the victim’s life and will require skin graft surgery. All these come with a lot of financial burdens, and the disfigurement alone can lead to emotional trauma, depression, and other social issues, further deepening the damages from burn injuries.

Do You Need a Lawyer to Help You with Your Burn Injury Case?

Having burn injuries can be traumatizing and require constant care to ensure healing; however, with burn injuries to deal with and insurers ringing up your phone, the stress can get to any burn victim. We recommend getting a lawyer to investigate your burn injury case since a qualified lawyer can hold negligent parties accountable.

In California, to have a substantial case against the negligent party, the victim must prove a duty of care and a breach of duty of care. The burn victim must also prove that the negligent party’s actions resulted in damages and put a value on the claims.

Putting a dollar value over the damages can be challenging, but it is even more complex when it comes to burn injuries. An experienced burn injury attorney can help you prove the duty of care and collect evidence to prove the breach of duty of care. An expert burn injury lawyer will also help determine the value of your claims and file a lawsuit against the responsible parties.

Will My Third Degree Burns Case Go to Trial?

At Ehline Law, our Los Angeles burn injury attorneys are experts in dealing with insurers to settle cases outside courts. This helps save time and lives, but it burns patients the money to pay for their medical bills, skin graft surgery, and restart their lives. However, when the burn victims face extreme burns and disfigurement, we make sure to take the legal battle to the courts.

Settlements outside the court are often lower than what you can get in the court if you have substantial evidence against the negligent party. Our Los Angeles burn injury lawyers are experts in collecting evidence and establishing claims and have the right experience to take negligent parties to court.

Contact us at (213) 596-9642 and get a free consultation with the legal experts today!

Citations:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burns/symptoms-causes/syc-20370539

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/burns

Jessie Henry: MMA Pro and Firefighter Tire Explosion Case

The injuries were sustained in a Louisiana truck explosion, an on-duty accident, around 9 a.m on a Saturday in December.

What Happened?

Henry served as a firefighter at South Bossier Fire District 2 Station No. 4. He maintained a truck tire at one of the district’s stations over the weekend when the tire on the fire truck exploded without warning. Jessie didn’t manage to escape and was declared dead that night.

Witness Testimony

Gray Young, the chief of training for South Bossier Fire District 2, stated, “The inner rim of the tire popped off of the wheel itself and chrome wheel simulator — a chrome hub cap inside of that wheel — struck him, and he was blown approximately 20 feet.” Young also mentioned the mixed martial arts fighter recently started his dream of becoming a paramedic by studying to continue his certification.

The Wrongful Death Accident was Very Serious

He was immediately transported to Ochsner LSU Hospital post-incident; however, this was the hospital where he later died after succumbing to his life-threatening injuries.

A Military History and Community Server

Before becoming a northwest Louisiana firefighter, Jessie served in the U.S. Army for four years and was an active part of the Army Reserves. Furthermore, he had a non-profit that gave scholarships to young students.

The MMA World Lost a Legend

Henry had a 2-2 record as an MMA fighter. His last victory came in against Andy Carrington in April – he won by a split decision. Henry’s previous match was against Craig Grove.

His Family was Ripped Apart

He was survived by his 9-year-old daughter at the time, Karmen. His uncle also worked as a firefighter in Texas. We offer our condolences to his family and friends.

Commentary: Firefighter Jessie Henry Dies on Dec. 18

Authorities haven’t said what kind of maintenance he did when working that day. However, Henry’s family members told sources that a tire sensor hit Jessie in the head.

Attorneys Are Looking at This Case

The attorneys at Circle of Trust have been working with wrongful death, personal injury, and product defect law for eight years. Thus, the nature of the incident brings numerous questions to mind.

Many Questions to Ask

Did the South Bossier Parish Fire District 2 in LA have a normal maintenance program in place prior to the accident? Was the maintenance process fully overseen and followed? What was the nature of the maintenance that Henry was doing? Henry worked at the station for four years, according to the report – was adequately qualified to conduct the work he was doing when the tire exploded? What is the tire’s model, make, and identification number?

Government Mandates

The government mandates that all tires have an identification number indicating the manufacture date and location. Every tire in America can be traced back to the specific facility that was created using that ID number.

The Verdict: Jessie Henry MMA Pro and Firefighter Tire Explosion

A Fire Truck Tire Exploded – Someone Has to Pay

Jessie Henry was a brilliant firefighter, killed in an on-duty wrongful death accident on Saturday, Dec. 18. This truck explosion case may appear tragic. Yet, it could be because of a manufacturing flaw. A complete inquiry must be made on the tire and every tread piece. The surviving family members may be entitled to significant compensation as part of a product liability lawsuit.

Citations:

  • Gray Media Group
  • CBA News, Las Vegas