Michigan Burn Injury Lawyers

Thermal Burns

Nearly 90% of burn injuries are thermal, with 43% of those being from fire or flame and 34% caused by scalds.

Whether a question of fire safety or a workplace accident, many burn victims can fight back against negligent parties, such as when:

• Dangerous products can catch fire, opening their designers, manufacturers, and/or distributors to liability.
• If a poorly installed household appliance causes a fire, its owner may be able to bring a suit against a technician.
• When a fire in a commercial venue injures visitors, they may be able to file a suit if the building does not have appropriate safety measures, violates fire codes, or does not have sufficient escape routes.
• Scalds are a constant hazard in commercial kitchens, where injured employees may be able to file for workers’ compensation. 

Electrical Burns 

Lightning is unlikely to strike you, but electrical burns are a concern in the workplace and in any situation involving bare wires.

For instance:

• Construction and industrial workplaces that lack strong lockout/tag-out procedures often result in electrocuted workers, who can then file for workers’ compensation.
• Improperly installed wiring or electrical sockets around the house can result in electric shock, for which builders are likely liable.

Chemical Burns

If you have a cabinet full of cleaning supplies, you may have some materials that can burn you. Chemicals that are dangerous to people are used in many situations.

When they are not treated with appropriate caution, people may become injured:

• Household cleaners must be clearly labeled if they are dangerous and provide instructions on how to use them safely. If someone is burned by one, the manufacturer or distributor could be held liable for burn injuries.
• Workplaces with stores of dangerous chemicals should provide PPE and have suitable storage and labeling systems because any worker who suffers a chemical burn can file for workers’ compensation.

Radiation Burns

Severe radiation burns are rare. In some cases, they may not manifest immediately, making it harder to figure out who is to blame.

Thankfully, these burns have relatively few causes:

• An employee whose eyes are not shielded in the presence of active welding is likely to suffer vision damage. Aside from filing for workers’ compensation, they may also be able to sue the company that made their PPE if it was faulty.
• Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer and other medical conditions. In some cases, patients end up with severe burns. If this happens because of a treatment mistake or if they were not warned of the hazard before starting the therapy, a patient may be able to file a medical malpractice suit.