Paramedics and emergency room physicians see Davie burn injuries caused by kitchen mishaps all the time. In some cases, these burns can be devastating enough to cause serious injury or even a fatality. The severity of the burn depends on the materials the patient was using and the type of kitchen activity that caused the burn. For example, a burn caused by a splash of hot oil is different than a scald burn caused by the skin coming too close to boiling liquid.
A first-degree type of burn affects the outside of the skin and is similar to a sunburn in this regard. If the skin blisters due to a scald burn or if the skin is seared from direct contact with a hot surface, this type of burn is a second-degree burn. The most serious burns leave the skin looking black. These types of burns can cause damage to the nerves and tissues under the skin.
In most cases, a mild burn injury is small and does not result in severe damage. In these cases, the pain will go away after a day or two and in most cases medical attention is not needed unless the pain does not go away. For a mild burn, applying cool water and then a clean, dry gauze of cloth is the best course of action. There are some home remedies out there that suggest putting butter, onion, honey, or other substances on a burn. Physicians do not recommend this. In most cases, keeping the area clean and dry is the best course of action.
If the burn is a third-degree burn or affects the eyes, face, entire hand, or a significant portion of the body, it is a medical emergency and calling for 911 help is a good idea. Any burn that is larger than 10-15% of the body (or larger than your hand) is also a medical emergency.
If your burn is severe, you may require skin grafts, extended hospital stays, and even extended rehab work to regain mobility. If this is the case, you may wish to discuss your situation with a Davie personal injury attorney. If a product or appliance in your kitchen caused the burn injury, you could be eligible to pursue a Davie products liability claim, which could be important for recovering money you need for lost income and your medical treatment.
The best course of treatment for burns, of course, is prevention. You can reduce your risk of burns by following a few basic precautions:
1) Slow down and focus when cooking. Hot elements and liquids are safer when you are careful and fully focused on the task at hand. Remove distractions – such as pets – from the kitchen while you cook.
2) Cook on the back burners when using the stovetop, turning the handles of pots and pans towards the center, so that you will not crash into them as you move around the kitchen. When using the stovetop, do not leave the cooking unattended.
3) Wear practical shoes and snugger-fitting clothes when grilling or cooking, to prevent loose clothing items from catching fire.
4) Install a good smoke detector in your home and change the batteries as needed. Keep a few fire extinguishers in your home, and at least one in the kitchen.
If you have sustained a serious Davie burn injury that you believe was caused by a defective product or by someone’s negligence, contact the Flaxman Law Group to find out whether you might be eligible for compensation under Florida law. Your initial consultation with the Flaxman Law Group is free of charge and comes with no obligation.