I was burned by scalding water because of a hot water heater in Dallas-Fort Worth. Can I hold anyone responsible for my injuries?

I’m sorry to hear about your accident. You are not alone – it’s been estimated that over 100,000 people a year in the U.S. are burned by scalding water caused by a hot water heater being set too high. Many of these victims are under the age of 14 or are elderly.

If a person is exposed to very hot water that has been overheated by a hot water heater, it takes less than five seconds to receive a serious third degree burn from the hot water. Young children under the age of five are at the greatest risk of sustaining a serious injury from the hot water that can lead to death. It’s been estimated that about a quarter of all burns involving children are from accidents involving hot tap water.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that families lower their hot water tank temperature settings to no higher than 120 degrees. Even at that temperature, a skin can receive a second-degree burn, but it takes a much longer time, which allows the opportunity to get out of hot water before skin is damaged. In addition, hot water valves in the home should be changed to anti-scald devices that can interrupt water flow after temps reach a specific level. Bathwater should be tested by an adult before putting a child into the tub.

Victims of hot water burns who are injured in hot tubs, showers, or bathtubs may have right to file a claim against the responsible parties that were negligent by providing unsafe water temperatures. Some of the parties that could be responsible include the manufacturer of the hot water heater, the building’s contractor, and any companies that were hired to maintain the hot water tank, faucets, or plumbing lines.

Call the Dallas-Fort Worth personal injury attorneys at the Barber Law Firm if you wish to speak to an attorney about your hot water burn accident. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your ongoing medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. We can help. Call today to learn more or to schedule your free consultation at 972-231-5800.

Murphy Negligence Attorneys

If you have been harmed in an accident in Murphy that was caused by someone else’s carelessness, the legal basis for holding the wrongdoer liable is called negligence. In general, negligence occurs when someone acts in a careless way and causes injury to another person. Most personal injury lawsuits are based on negligence.

In order to win a negligence case in Murphy, the plaintiff (the victim of the accident) must be able to prove that the defendant (the wrongdoer) had a duty to the plaintiff, breached that duty, the injury was caused by the defendant’s actions or inactions, and the plaintiff was harmed as a result of the defendant’s actions. Normally, proving negligence involves an investigation by the attorney involved in the case. Depending on the circumstances, the attorney may obtain medical records, secure video surveillance of the area, obtain testimony from eyewitnesses, obtain accident reports, and take other steps in order to build a strong case. The attorney will also use that evidence to negotiate with any insurance companies involved or may take the case to trial.

Some common examples of personal injury cases in Murphy include automobile accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents, accidents on the job, product liability cases, and more. If you are a victim of a personal injury, you may be able to seek compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, rehab expenses, pain and suffering, and more.

Call the Murphy negligence attorneys at the Barber Law Firm at 972-231-5800 if you have been injured in an accident. Our attorneys can help. Call us today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.

The post I was burned by scalding water because of a hot water heater in Dallas-Fort Worth. Can I hold anyone responsible for my injuries? appeared first on Barber Law Firm | Personal Injury Lawyers & Car Accident Attorneys.