Our nursing home injury attorneys represent residents who suffer a wide range of injuries due to abuse or neglect. In fact, one of the most common injuries residents of nursing home suffer is a burn injury. Hot liquid burns in Michigan nursing homes are not only serious, but can be deadly. A burn injury can be caused from numerous hot liquid items, such as: a hot cup of soup, tea or coffee. Skin is necessary for a body to regulate fluid and temperature; it also serves as a barrier against bacteria and viruses. When your skin suffers from a burn, risk for an infection, tetanus, scarring, permanent injury and even death depending on the severity of the burn occur.
Unfortunately, elderly patients are known for not testing the water before getting into a bathtub or shower, therefore they are considered at risk patients for serious scalding burns. These injuries are not only painful, but can cause third degree burns and infections. Often, it is the responsibility of the Michigan nursing home and its staff to make sure temperatures are not too high. If the patient’s safety is being overlooked by the nursing home, they may be considered negligent, and a Michigan nursing home neglect lawsuit may be sought.
Based upon the depth of a burn and the percent of total body area affected, burns are categorized into 3 different stages: First, Second and Third.
A first degree burn is categorized as the least serious type of burn, where only the outer layer of skin is burned. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
A second degree burn occurs when the first and second layer of the skin is burned. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
A third degree burn is categorized as the most serious type of burn, where all layers of the skin are burned. This causes permanent tissue damage and may affect fat, muscle, and even bone. These types of burns damage the nerves and blood vessels, which may lead to the skin appearing as white and leathery. Symptoms may include, but are not limited to:
When your loved one suffers any of these burns in a Michigan long term care facility due to hot liquid or other objects, reach out for caring legal support.
Nursing home residents suffering scalding burn injuries as a result of the neglect or lack of supervision at a Michigan nursing home, do have legal rights. These burn injuries are extremely painful, result in permanent scarring and disfigurement, and require extensive and expensive medical care and treatment. Our Michigan nursing home burn attorneys are experts at proving damages in these cases and helping victims and their families receive compensation for their injuries.
Lawsuits for hot water heater and hot tap water burn injury cases can be filed against caregivers who are negligent for exposing a person to unsafe water temperatures. It is important to contact our office as soon as possible after a burn injury so that we can begin our investigation of the case before the negligent person changes tampers with the evidence, like changing temperatures on the hot water heater or by replacing defective parts.
If your family member suffers from a hot liquid burn in a Michigan nurisng home, you should contact the law firm of Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. immediately. These types of burn injuries can occur from hot cup of soup, tea, coffee, etc. Call us now at to speak with one of our experienced attorneys about your case. We will represent you under our No Fee Promise, which means no legal fees or costs until we prove and win your case.
Please contact us today for answers to more complex questions or questions specific to your case. The initial consultation is FREE.