Hospitality Industry Hot Water Burn

Western New York’s Hospitality Industry Scalding Injury Lawyers

Jed Dietrich, Esq., a Distinguished Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Premier Lawyers of America,and His Battle-Tested Team of Attorneys at the Dietrich Law Firm P.C., Recognized as a Best Law Firm of America, Forcefully Litigate to Obtain the Highest Compensation for Victims of Hotel and Restaurant Hot Water Burns in Buffalo, New York; Niagara Falls, New York; Rochester, New York; Throughout New York State and Beyond.

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Although most people associate burns with fires and flames, in reality, hot water poses a higher risk when it comes to burn injuries. More than a half-million burns throughout the United States result from hot water annually. Scalds are to blame for about 33 to 58% of all burn hospitalizations. Children, seniors, and people with disabilities are the most common victims of scald injuries. Hot water straight from the tap is responsible for approximately one in every four child scald hospitalizations. These types of burn injuries are not only extremely painful but can cause severe tissue damage, permanent scarring, and life-long disfigurement. Many scalds and hot water burns are the results of negligence by businesses within the service industry, such as hotels, motels, restaurants, and coffee shops.

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends hot water tank temperatures to be set no higher than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Lowering the temperature of the hot water tank is the easiest way to prevent severe injuries. Additionally, many faucet and shower manufacturers offer anti-scald devices which can easily be installed by a plumber. Although victims can still suffer second-degree burns with water temperatures at 120 degrees, the lower temperature provides an opportunity to escape before serious harm occurs. Regretfully, irresponsible hospitality businesses often neglect to implement proper safety procedures, which can lead to devastating burn injuries.

While almost everyone enjoys eating out or spending the night at a hotel, unfortunately, hot water burns sometimes happen. Property owners and businesses owe the highest degree of care to invitees to ensure that they stay injury-free. This legal obligation means that owners and managers must take all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of their establishments, which includes routinely inspecting water heaters and temperature gauges. If you, or one of your loved ones, has been burned by hot tap water at any type of lodging, restaurant, or café, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. No victim should be forced to bear the aftermath of his or her burn injuries alone.

Jed Dietrich, Esq. established the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. in 2005 with the ambition to provide his clients with the highest level of personal injury service. Applauded as a Best Attorney of America, Jed Dietrich, Esq. and his highly experienced lawyers have seen the devastating impact that burns and subsequent damages can have on victims and, ultimately, their loved ones. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s leading lawyers are determined, disciplined, and dedicated to obtaining the best possible outcome for your case. Our seasoned team will treat you with the respect that you deserve and do everything possible to help you during this difficult time. Please contact the Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s best of the best now by calling (716) 839-3939 or by filling out the online consultation form. We would be happy to provide you with a complimentary, confidential, no-obligation consultation and case evaluation.

Determining the Severity of Your Scald Injury

Hot water burns and scald injuries are extremely painful and can result in long-lasting complications that make a full recovery difficult. Regardless of the severity of a burn, they can cause agonizing pain, not to mention victims suffer even more pain when cleaning the damaged area or changing the dressing. Burns are classified as first-degree, second-degree, or third-degree based on the amount of damage inflicted on the tissue. The severity of a hot water burn depends on the temperature of the water, the size of the injury, the location of the burn, and the duration that the skin was exposed to the heat.

According to the Burn Foundation, boiling water can cause third-degree burns in as little as 1 second at 156ºF, 2 seconds at 149ºF, 5 seconds at 140ºF, and 15 seconds at 133ºF. Generally, boiling water causes more harm than hot water alone. Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) found that while scalds may be virtually invisible at first, they can penetrate pores in the upper layer of the skin and severely damage the lower skin layers. The pores of the outer layer of skin allow vapors containing water molecules to pass through unhindered. As a result, when the skin is subjected to steam, the heat rapidly penetrates deep into the underlying layers.

Compensation for Your Hot Water Burn

The monetary compensation that scald injury victims are eligible to receive significantly depends on particular details and circumstances of the case. Damages were designed to restore victims to the same standing that they were in before their injuries and can range from a few thousand to millions of dollars. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s highly experienced lawyers will do everything in their power to ensure that you receive the compensation that you deserve. Monetary compensation is calculated based on the actual injuries suffered and includes both economic and non-economic damages. Victims suffering from injuries can pursue recovery for the following:

1. Past, current, and future costs for medical care and rehabilitation;
2. All lost wages and other benefits from missing work;
3. Reduced potential earning capacity;
4. Physical damages suffered in the mishap that resulted in your burn;
5. Pain and suffering caused by your burn, as well as treatment and recovery;
6. Permanent scarring and disfigurement;
7. Psychological and emotional trauma;
8. Loss of enjoyment in life;
9. Loss of consortium; and
10. All other verifiable damages related to your scald.

Honored with a Google Five Star rating, the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. goes above and beyond to provide the highest level of personal injury service to every client. Jed Dietrich, Esq., commended as an Attorney and Practice Magazine’s Top 10 Personal Injury Attorney, will be there for you throughout your entire case. Insurance companies have paid Jed Dietrich, Esq. more than $175,000,000.00 in verdicts and settlements to resolve his client’s claims. The Dietrich Law Firm P.C.’s veteran team offers free, no-obligation lawsuit assessments and consultations. We would love the opportunity to discuss your potential claim in more detail. Our battle-tested team is available twenty-four-seven at (716) 839-3939 or by filling out the online consultation form.

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Call the Dietrich Law Firm P.C. immediately at (716) 839-3939 so that our aggressive, tenacious and hardworking personal injury lawyers can fight to obtain the best result for your personal injury claim in Buffalo, New York. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and there is never a fee until we WIN for you!

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