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Scalding Injuries

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Mike Stephenson
Mike Stephenson

Scalding injuries are the second leading cause of burns in the US, with over 500,000 occurring each year, many of which affect young children. Scalding occurs when skin comes into contact with hot liquids or steam, and the severity of the injury depends on the temperature and duration of exposure. Water temperatures as low as 120 degrees F can cause third-degree burns after several minutes, while 155 degree water can cause such burns in just one second. Indiana law requires residential water heaters to maintain temperatures between 105-120 degrees F to prevent scalding, but non-compliant temperatures in homes and buildings often lead to serious and costly injuries.

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Scalding Injuries Excessive Water Temperatures Can Cause Severe Burns
Scalding is the second-leading cause of burns in the U.S., behind only fires. Approximately one-third of people admitted to burn centers for treatment had scald injuries. There are more than 500,000 scald burn injuries every year in the U.S. Scalding is the leading type of burn injury for children 4 and under. A Very Common Burn Injury
In Other Words Over 1,000 scalding injuries happen every day. These injuries are not only common, they can be incredibly serious. In the following pages, well look at the consequences of scalding injuries and the sometimes-surprising ways they happen.
What is Scalding? Scalding occurs when someone is exposed to hot liquid or steam. The extent of the injuries caused by this exposure depends on several factors, including the heat of the liquid or steam and the duration of the exposure and the type of substance that contacts the skin.
Four Degrees of Severity First degree burns involve only the skins top layer, much like a non-blistering sunburn. Second degree burns affect the skins second layer, often causing blisters. Third degree burns penetrate skin to the underlying tissues and often require skin grafts. There can also be nerve damage. Fourth degree burns can go through muscle tissue and into bone. In some cases, amputation may be required.
What Temperatures Can Scald the Skin? Exposure to liquid at these temperatures can cause third- degree burns... 120 degrees, though after several minutes of exposure. 140 degrees after five seconds of exposure. 155 degrees after just one second of exposure.
Scalding Injuries and Excessive Tap Water Temperatures While one of the more obvious causes of scald burns is the exposure to boiling liquids in the kitchen, there is a much more surprising way people suffer these burns in their homes: When a water heater is set too high, the water from the faucet can quickly cause serious burns. In fact, 17% of childhood scald hospitalizations are caused by hot tap water.
Indianas Statutes on Water Temperatures Indiana provides statutes on hot water used for washing, stating that temperatures shall be maintained between 105 degrees F. and 120 degrees F. An anti-scald device shall be provided to automatically control the hot water temperature so that it cannot exceed 120 degrees F.
Who is Responsible for Maintaining These Temperatures? Property owners, managers and landlords should regularly check water temperatures of their water systems to ensure they dont produce water exceeding levels stated in Indianas statutes. It is their legal responsibility to do so. The companies that make and install water heaters and plumbing systems also have a responsibility to make sure these devices are set to safe temperatures.
Where These Injuries Happen Housing units, such as apartments and rental homes Dormitories Commercial buildings Schools Hotels Gyms Restaurants Healthcare facilities. Scalding injuries can happen in any building where there are excessive water heater temperatures, including
Testing the Water Temperatures for Safety If youre concerned about the water temperatures in your house, apartment or workplace, let the water run for three minutes so the water can reach its maximum temperature. You can then run the water over a thermometer to check the temperature. If the water exceeds safe levels, contact the property owner or manager immediately to have them address the problem.
The Consequences of Scalding Injuries Burns are notoriously painful, expensive and debilitating. Scalding can permanently damage the skin and underlying tissue, sometimes causing disfigurement and disability. The procedures required to treat burn injuries are very costly. If youve suffered a burn injury because of a property owners failure to adjust water temperatures, you deserve compensation for your injuries.
If Youve Suffered a Scalding Injury Contact the Indiana personal injury attorneys at Stephenson Rife to learn more about your legal options. We have years of experience handling these types of cases, and we know how to get results that reflect the damages suffered by our clients. We encourage you to reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation.

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Scalding Injuries

  • 1. Scalding Injuries Excessive Water Temperatures Can Cause Severe Burns
  • 2. Scalding is the second-leading cause of burns in the U.S., behind only fires. Approximately one-third of people admitted to burn centers for treatment had scald injuries. There are more than 500,000 scald burn injuries every year in the U.S. Scalding is the leading type of burn injury for children 4 and under. A Very Common Burn Injury
  • 3. In Other Words Over 1,000 scalding injuries happen every day. These injuries are not only common, they can be incredibly serious. In the following pages, well look at the consequences of scalding injuries and the sometimes-surprising ways they happen.
  • 4. What is Scalding? Scalding occurs when someone is exposed to hot liquid or steam. The extent of the injuries caused by this exposure depends on several factors, including the heat of the liquid or steam and the duration of the exposure and the type of substance that contacts the skin.
  • 5. Four Degrees of Severity First degree burns involve only the skins top layer, much like a non-blistering sunburn. Second degree burns affect the skins second layer, often causing blisters. Third degree burns penetrate skin to the underlying tissues and often require skin grafts. There can also be nerve damage. Fourth degree burns can go through muscle tissue and into bone. In some cases, amputation may be required.
  • 6. What Temperatures Can Scald the Skin? Exposure to liquid at these temperatures can cause third- degree burns... 120 degrees, though after several minutes of exposure. 140 degrees after five seconds of exposure. 155 degrees after just one second of exposure.
  • 7. Scalding Injuries and Excessive Tap Water Temperatures While one of the more obvious causes of scald burns is the exposure to boiling liquids in the kitchen, there is a much more surprising way people suffer these burns in their homes: When a water heater is set too high, the water from the faucet can quickly cause serious burns. In fact, 17% of childhood scald hospitalizations are caused by hot tap water.
  • 8. Indianas Statutes on Water Temperatures Indiana provides statutes on hot water used for washing, stating that temperatures shall be maintained between 105 degrees F. and 120 degrees F. An anti-scald device shall be provided to automatically control the hot water temperature so that it cannot exceed 120 degrees F.
  • 9. Who is Responsible for Maintaining These Temperatures? Property owners, managers and landlords should regularly check water temperatures of their water systems to ensure they dont produce water exceeding levels stated in Indianas statutes. It is their legal responsibility to do so. The companies that make and install water heaters and plumbing systems also have a responsibility to make sure these devices are set to safe temperatures.
  • 10. Where These Injuries Happen Housing units, such as apartments and rental homes Dormitories Commercial buildings Schools Hotels Gyms Restaurants Healthcare facilities. Scalding injuries can happen in any building where there are excessive water heater temperatures, including
  • 11. Testing the Water Temperatures for Safety If youre concerned about the water temperatures in your house, apartment or workplace, let the water run for three minutes so the water can reach its maximum temperature. You can then run the water over a thermometer to check the temperature. If the water exceeds safe levels, contact the property owner or manager immediately to have them address the problem.
  • 12. The Consequences of Scalding Injuries Burns are notoriously painful, expensive and debilitating. Scalding can permanently damage the skin and underlying tissue, sometimes causing disfigurement and disability. The procedures required to treat burn injuries are very costly. If youve suffered a burn injury because of a property owners failure to adjust water temperatures, you deserve compensation for your injuries.
  • 13. If Youve Suffered a Scalding Injury Contact the Indiana personal injury attorneys at Stephenson Rife to learn more about your legal options. We have years of experience handling these types of cases, and we know how to get results that reflect the damages suffered by our clients. We encourage you to reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation.