Given the increased cooking of hot foods and home heating that happens during the winter, this season can pose a greater risk of fire and burn injuries. Attorney Laurie Robbins deals with personal injury cases in which disfiguring, severe burns are caused by someone else’s negligence. Oftentimes, a home fire is the result of the victim themselves, but that doesn’t make the injury any less excruciating and potentially life-altering. Although the instances below are unlikely to be caused by someone else’s negligence, Ms. Robbins nonetheless wants to remind her Atlanta neighbors of these basic fire-prevention tips:
- When cooking, never leave the food unattended. An unwatched simmering pot or pan can easily lead to a fire, and often does.
- Never leave a candle burning unattended. It is especially important to extinguish candles before you go to sleep. Candles are a source of home fires.
- Know the dangers of space heaters. Fixed and portable space heaters are responsible for two-thirds of deaths caused by home-heating fires. If you must use a space heater, place it away from clothing, curtains and other flammable material. The space heater should be kept flat on the floor, never perched on furniture or placed on a bed. Don’t leave the space heater unattended.
- Wood-burning fireplaces must be maintained. Professional cleaning services will combat creosote buildup that can lead to chimney fires and backdrafting.
Under certain circumstances, burn injuries may be linked to someone else’s negligence. For example, if a landlord fails to meet building codes or basic maintenance, and those conditions cause a fire. If a dangerous and defective product causes severe burns, the manufacturer could be responsible. The only way to know if you have a case is to speak to an experienced injury attorney like Ms. Robbins.
If you have suffered a burn injury caused by someone else’s negligence, Ms. Robbins can determine if you are eligible to pursue maximum compensation. Contact our law firm in Atlanta today. We are personally committed to making sure injured victims know their options for pursuing justice and compensation.