While most people associate serious burn accidents with fires or gas explosions, contact with harmful chemicals is a common cause of severe burn injuries. In Boulder CO, victims may be exposed to caustic substances at home, in hospitals or laboratories, or in other workplace settings. In all cases, the pain and suffering caused by a serious chemical burn can be substantial.
Fortunately, personal injury laws are designed to assist chemical burn victims in recovering compensation for their losses when another’s negligence has caused or contributed to their injuries. With guidance from the trusted Colorado injury lawyers at Carabin Shaw, victims can effectively investigate the sources of their injuries, identify parties responsible for them, and craft personal injury claims that maximize the value of their financial settlements.
What Are the Common Causes of Chemical Burn Accidents?When soft tissues such as the skin, eyes, ears, or muscles come into contact with corrosive materials, a chemical burn is often the result. Chemical burns range in severity depending on the nature of the substance encountered, the duration of exposure, and the areas of the body in which contact was made. And while chemical burn injuries in Boulder can happen for many different reasons, some types of accidents occur more frequently than others.
The following is a list of some of the most common sources of chemical burn accidents that attorneys see:
Defective ProductsToo often, consumers are put in harm's way when manufacturers or retailers fail to ensure that their products can be used safely. Design flaws, failures in the manufacturing process, and a lack of adequate safety warnings can all cause consumers to suffer serious chemical burns. Products that have been identified as sources of chemical burn accidents in the past include household cleaners, battery acids, concrete mix, and pool chlorinators.
With the help of a burn injury attorney serving Boulder, victims can hold liable parties accountable and recover damages by filing what are known as “product liability lawsuits.” Because these lawsuits often have the highest median damage awards of all personal injury claims, victims won’t want to risk pursuing a claim without the assistance of a specialized lawyer.
Spills or LeaksIn other cases, burn accidents occur when victims are exposed to chemical spills or leaks in facilities such as laboratories, warehouses, hospitals, and processing plants. Common chemicals found within these settings include nitric and phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide, hydrofluoric acid, and ammonia.
When a chemical spill can be traced to the negligence or misconduct of a property owner, Boulder burn accident lawyers can help victims to pursue premises liability lawsuits as a means of recovering their damages.
Improper HandlingMany chemical burn accidents happen within workplace settings when corrosive substances are not handled or stored properly. Employees may be at especially high risk for injury if they don’t have access to adequate personal protective equipment or comprehensive safety training and protocols.
While most work-related injuries are addressed directly through workers’ compensation claims, some rare cases warrant filing a lawsuit against a negligent third party. These lawsuits often allow workers to recover a higher percentage of injury-related costs, and they can be utilized when a third party, like a manufacturer or subcontractor, can be shown to have contributed to an accident.
The Trusted Law Firm for Boulder Chemical Burns | Free ConsultationIf you or a loved one are suffering from the impacts of a chemical burn, don’t delay speaking with a Boulder burn accident lawyer about the ways you can recover the compensation you deserve.
To ensure that our clients get the assistance they need as quickly as possible, our English and Spanish-speaking staff are available 24/7. Call us at 800-862-1260 to get started with a free case review.