Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer - Article
Tap Water and Scald Burns
One of the most commonly used household appliances can also be the most dangerous: the faucet. In fact, tap water scalds injure over 3,800 Americans every year. About 30 of these unfortunate people die from their injuries. Even more shocking than these statistics is the widespread ignorance about the dangers of ordinary tap water.
Vulnerable Populations
The populations who are at the highest risk for tap water scalds are:
- Children under the age of 5
- People over the age of 65
- Disabled people, especially those who require long-term care
Children and older people are vulnerable to burns because their skin is often thinner than the skin of young adults. People with disabilities can be at risk for various reasons. Some disabilities involve a loss of sensation in part or all of the body, which can make it hard for a person to know when he or she is being burned. Communication difficulties can also make it hard for a person to let his or her caretaker know that bath water is too hot.
Causes of Tap Water Scalds
The most common causes of tap water scalds include:
Water heaters set too high. The Consumer Product Safety Commission encourages everyone to keep their water heaters set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less. Water above this temperature can be very dangerous.
Distracted caretakers. All too many caretakers of elderly people or children fail to thoroughly check water temperature before giving a bath.
Abuse. Tragically, some tap water scalds are deliberately inflicted on children and disabled or elderly adults. This is an unacceptable and illegal form of abuse.
Contact a Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered from a tap water scald caused by another party’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. For more information, contact Chicago personal injury lawyers Friedman & Bonebrake at 312-466-8200.