Hot Water Heater Burn Injury in Tennessee
The CPSC cites burns as one of the most frequently reported injuries that occur in the home. Each year, a number of these injuries occur as a result of defective hot water heaters or hot water heaters that have been set too high. The typical victims of burn injuries from these defective products in Tennessee are children and the elderly. The National Safe Kids Campaign, for instance, reports that between four to five thousand children are burned each year in bathtubs. These burns typically cover about 12 percent of the entire body surface.
Burns from hot water heaters can be extremely painful and expensive to treat. Sometimes, a hot water heater injury can cause third degree burns to victims. Not only does this type of burn require ongoing medical treatment and outpatient therapy, but it frequently leaves the victim scarred, disfigured and emotionally traumatized.
Water heater accidents are often caused by defective designs. For example, some hot water heaters allow temperatures to be set higher than 150 degrees. The risk of burns and scars associated with this temperature setting far outweigh any benefit that might come from being able to set the water temperature above 150. In fact, the human threshold for pain from hot water exposure is about 110 degrees.
The CPSC suggests that water heaters be set at a maximum of 120 degrees.
Responsible parties to a person injured by scalding water from a hot water heater can be a home owner, landlord or plumbing professional. When the injury is caused by some defect in the water heater, the manufacturer and/or vendor of the heater may be liable.
If you or a loved one sustained a burn injury in the home, call one of our burns and scars injury lawyers at Baker Associates to schedule your free case evaluation. Our skilled Tennessee personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and experience necessary to investigate your case and discuss with you your legal options. Contact us by dialing 866-853-2888.
