Burn Injury

A 42-year-old Santa Cruz resident is being hailed as a hero after saving his neighbor from her burning cottage on the night of March 18. According to The San Jose Mercury News, the man heard loud noises and screaming from the house of his 56-year-old female neighbor and went outside to investigate. He then saw the house on fire and ran to help.

While what started this Santa Cruz fire accident is unknown, the fire caused two oxygen tanks, used by the wheelchair-bound woman, to explode, causing the fire to quickly spread and engulf the cottage. The man rushed to the house and after finding that both the front and back door were locked, kicked in the front door after three attempts and dragged the then-unconscious woman out of the door through heavy smoke and spreading flames.

After getting the woman out, he and two other neighbors carried her across the street, where she regained consciousness. Emergency responders soon arrived, putting out the flames to keep the fire from spreading to other houses and also taking the woman to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, where she is in critical condition for her injuries.

Despite being exposed to heavy smoke and flames, the rescuer did not need to be admitted to the hospital for injuries.

House fires can quickly cause serious injuries to anyone in the burning building, with smoke and fire quickly building up and easily incapacitating occupants. The Santa Cruz burn injury attorneys at Van Der Walde & Associates understand how devastating these accidents can be, with injuries and losses inflicting a heavy physical, emotional, and financial toll. For more information on how our experienced law team can aid you in your case by finding proper compensation from at-fault parties and insurance companies, contact us today at (877) 862-6288.

There are many types of injuries that a person may endure and recover from with often very little help; however, burn injuries often pose a much greater challenge and a need for professional medical care. But if the human body is able to withstand and recover from many types of injuries and illnesses, what makes burns so difficult to recover from?

Burns range in severity; the more severe a burn and the larger the burn, the harder it will be to heal and recover from. Severe burns can result in many complications which can affect the health of a victim and may even become fatal injuries. Burn injury complications include: infection, shock, electrolyte imbalance, respiratory distress, and organ dysfunction. Burns not only cause severe pain, but can disrupt a person’s immune system and result in the death of tissue on a person’s body. Due to the effect of burns, immune cells are often unable to reach affected tissue and infection can easily occur, causing further complications for a victim.

Burns range in severity and are classified as the following:

• First Degree Burn – Affects the epidermis and is painful to the touch, but will heal within a week and have no complications.
• Second Degree Burn – Can either extend to the superficial dermis and take two to three weeks to heal with possible local infection, or extend to the deep dermis and take many weeks to heal with possible scarring, contracture, and the need for skin grafting or removal.
• Third Degree Burn – Extends through the entire dermis, killing all sensation of pain and featuring a dry and leathery look. This type of injury requires tissue removal or possible amputation.
• Fourth Degree Burn – Extends into the muscle and bone and can significantly impair function of the affected area. Requires removal or amputation, and may lead to death.

While most burn injuries do not result in the worst of these degrees, any injury can result in serious complications for a victim, heavy medical costs for treatment, and long-term recovery. As such, anyone injured as a result of another party’s negligence has the right to seek compensation for losses. A San Jose burn injury lawyer at Van Der Walde & Associates can aid you in your search for compensation for your losses and justice. For more information, call our offices at (877) 862-6288.

Now that winter is upon us, homes in Northern California and across the country will be using more and more heating equipment to stay warm indoors in the next several months, and while people may stay warmer, they are also at a greater risk for serious burn injuries. As the temperature drops, the use of fireplaces, heaters, and hot food and liquids rise, and each present their own dangers that must be uniquely addressed and prevented.

Fireplaces

Both wood and gas fireplaces present dangers, and contact with an open flame or burning log can result in a fire burn injury, and hot metal or glass can result in second or third degree burns, as well. Many fireplaces have glass doors to prevent anyone from touching the flame, but they can reach up to 400º Farenheit and take 45 minutes to cool down after the fire has died, according to The Burn Prevention Network. Children should never be unattended around fireplaces, and a screen or gate can prevent injuries.

Heaters

Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from flammable materials, including bedding, newspapers, clothing, and curtains. The same rule applies to people and animals to prevent burns and clothing fire, and space heaters should not be left unattended in rooms or left on while sleeping.

Hot Liquids

Hot drinks, soups, and other liquids also see a rise in use during wintertime, but these can result in scaldings that cause grave injuries. Those working with hot liquids should use good lighting, keep children out of the area when carrying them, and use oven mitts or potholders.

Flammable Clothing

Long and loose clothing is more susceptible to accidentally catching on fire than close-fitting material, which should be able to be removed swiftly if on fire. Heavier, flame-resistant fabrics, such as wool, burn slowly and may self-extinguish while lighter material like cotton and linen burns fast and hot. Nylon, polyester, acetate, rayon, and others are extremely dangerous as they melt while they burn and stick to the skin. All clothing should be inspected for what it is made of to prevent burn injuries.

If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to another’s negligence or an unsafe product, contact the Northern California burn injury lawyers with Van Der Walde and Associates today. Our experienced law team can get you compensation from the responsible party in order to help you recover from your injuries. Contact us today at (877) 862-6288 for a consultation on your case.