Legal Help For Seriously Burned Children In Washington
We all want to keep our children safe and secure and prevent serious injuries that could affect their lives and futures. Burn injuries are among the most devastating injuries that children can suffer. Burns and scalds are extremely painful and can be life-threatening. Child burn/scald injuries are challenging to treat and often result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. It is agonizing for a family when a child suffers a serious burn injury. To make matters worse, some children are victims of preventable accidents that result from the negligence of others.
The experienced Seattle child injury lawyers at Pendergast Law represent the rights of children who have been injured because of others’ negligence or wrongdoing. If your child has suffered burn injuries, please contact us to find out how we can help you and your family. Call us at 888-539-9211. For answers to your questions about your child’s burn injury, treatment, recovery and legal options, contact an attorney at Pendergast Law today.
What Are Some Types Of Burn Injuries That Affect Children?
Every day in the United States, more than 300 children under 19 are treated in emergency rooms for burn-related injuries. Two of those children die as a result of being burned. Younger children are more likely to sustain injuries from scald burns that are caused by hot liquids or steam, while older children are more likely to be injured by flame burns caused by direct contact with fire.
There are many ways in which children can suffer burn injuries. The most common causes of first-, second- and third-degree burns among children include:
- Scalds: Children can suffer devastating skin injuries if they come into contact with hot steam, water or other boiling fluids.
- Contact with flames: Children must be carefully monitored around stoves and fireplaces. It is also crucial to install fire alarms throughout your home.
- Contact with hot objects: Heaters, defective lamps and curling irons can cause painful burn injuries when they’re touched by children.
- Chemical burns: Children can suffer internal chemical burn injuries if they swallow drain cleaner or watch batteries. They can suffer skin chemical burns as well if they come into contact with bleach or other harmful chemicals.
- Electrical burns: Children can sustain devastating injuries if they bite or touch electrical cords or electrical outlets.
Severity Of Child Burn Injuries
When a child suffers a first-degree burn, only the top layer of skin is affected. There may be redness and pain in the affected area, but it should only take three to six days to heal. A second-degree burn may require medical attention. Skin may begin to blister, and there will be severe pain and redness. These types of burns take weeks to heal even with proper treatment. Third-degree burns always require medical attention. They appear dry and can result in charred, leathery or waxy white skin. The child may experience numbness at the site of the injury because of nerve damage. Surgery may be needed to replace the permanently damaged area with healthy skin.
Protecting Your Child’s Rights In Washington
If your child has suffered a burn injury on someone else’s dangerous property, in a house fire, while using a defective product or in a car accident, please understand that your family has legal rights. Negligent parties responsible for causing the burn injuries can be held accountable for losses like medical bills, cost of hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and other related damages.
Our Washington burn injury attorneys can help review the circumstances of your case and help you determine the best course of action for your family. Call Pendergast Law at 888-539-9211 for more information about your legal rights and options.