Our attorneys at Alpert Schreyer are proud to join the American Burn Association (ABA) in observing National Burn Awareness Week 2021 from February 7th to 13th. As we have witnessed catastrophic burns upend the lives of countless clients, this issue is very close to our hearts. We invite you to join us in raising awareness of the risks, frequency, and causes of burns in the United States in order to combat them.
According to the ABA’s own statistics, more than 450,000 severe burns that require medical treatment are sustained in the U.S. on an annual basis — reportedly, a vast majority of these injuries are preventable.
Sadly, burns can be the result of a vast array of scenarios and circumstances, which is why the ABA determines a different theme for National Burn Awareness Week each year. For 2021, the theme will be “Electrical Safety from Amps to Zap (A to Z).”
About Electrical Burns
An electrical burn is the painful result of when a person comes into contact with an electrical current, such as a power outlet, a stun gun, or even lightning. These burns are unique because they can easily damage internal tissues more than outer tissues. Thus, when a person suffers an electrical burn, there is a strong chance that the burn could be more serious than it appears to be from the outside, making it important to seek the help of a medical professional immediately after experiencing a burn of this class.
How to Prevent Electrical Burns
Unfortunately, preventing electrical burns is not always possible, but by following these tips, you can greatly reduce your chances of sustaining one:
Never use electrical appliances near water;
Never go out in a lightning storm if you can help it;
Never stick forks, knives, or other metal utensils into toasters;
Never stick metal utensils into any electrical appliance or outlet;
Replace frayed electrical cords immediately;
Keep electrical cords out of the reach of children;
Put child safety plugs in all open electrical outlets; and
Do not use electrical appliances with wet hands or while bathing.
Anyone can follow these burn prevention tips; in fact, most of them will not even make a dent in your wallet.
Alpert Schreyer Advocates for Burn Survivors Year Round
No matter the time of year, our team of lawyers assists burn survivors in holding the parties at fault for their injuries accountable. We are avid consumer and public safety advocates and have won industry awards and acclaim for our success, which has been made tangible through the compensatory damages we have recovered for our clients.
The sad truth is, there are many instances in which burns are suffered because of someone else’s negligence, such as a careless landlord. Alpert Schreyer took on such a case after a young Maryland boy was hospitalized because his landlord set the apartment boiler too high. When avoidable harm is caused by a landlord or any other negligent party, we will fight to recover the maximum amount of compensation from that liable party and their insurance company.
Although no amount of compensation can rewind the clock, our clients have been able to pay for their medical expenses, make up for lost wages, and find some closure knowing the liable party has been brought to justice.
Have you or a loved one been affected by a severe burn? Contact Alpert Schreyer at 301-381-2655 or via an online form.