Tap Water Burns
Tap water burns are among the most common type of burns that affect children. Approximately 17% of all burns to children are from tap water that can reach 150 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to burn adult skin within two (2) seconds.
Tap water burns are also among the most serious because they often cover large portions of the body. Every year, over 3,800 people are injured and 30 people die due to tap water burns, with 85% of those deaths being children under the age of 15 and seniors. Many times, these burns are due to an improperly set hot water thermostat but tap water burns can also be due to negligence or intentionally inflicted acts of child abuse.
Tap Water Burn Symptoms
Victims of tap water burns suffer symptoms that are similar to other types of burns, which can include:
- Blistering
- Pain
- Peeling skin
- White skin
- Redness
- Swelling
- Scarring
The type of treatment a victim of tap water burns will vary with the severity of the injury, but doctors typically recommend using an ice pack or running cold water over the burn as an initial step in treatment. If there is pain, or the burn appears severe, your child should be taken to the emergency room immediately for more advanced treatment, such as prescription pain relievers, antibiotics, and in more serious cases, hospitalization and skin grafts may be necessary.
Legal Liability for Tap Water Burns
Tap water burns often occur due to caregiver negligence. Any adult, whether that be a babysitter, teacher, nanny, childcare worker, family member, or friend, that undertakes the responsibility of watching a child has a duty to exercise reasonable care to keep that child safe.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that all water heaters be set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower to prevent tap water burns. If an adult supervising a child does not adjust this temperature, or if they cannot access the water heater to adjust it but knowingly expose a child to water this above this level and the child was burned, they could be found liable for breaching their duty of care to keep the child safe.
If another child turned on the water and caused your child to be burned, it is possible that the parents of that child could be found negligent, especially if they left the children alone together without proper supervision.
Tap Water Burns Due to Child Abuse
Unfortunately, some tap water burns are due to intentional child abuse. If the person who inflicted the burns to a child was an adult, they could be sued not only in civil court for damages, but they also may face criminal prosecution as well.
If the offending party was a child, things get more complicated. The courts will look at the age and understanding of the child who caused the burns to determine their level of intent and responsibility. It is also possible that their parent(s) could be held as co-defendants, thus making them responsible for the damages their child caused.
If your child has been injured in an accident, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First.
Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
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