Electrical Burn Injuries Involving Children - Chicago Attorney

Electrical burn injuries occur when electric current passes through body. These burns are often serious and can damage tissue or organs, or may simply just burn the skin. The most common causes of electrical burn injuries in children involve electrical cords, electrical outlets, batteries and power lines. However, these injuries can also occur in conjunction with poorly manufactured or distributed toys or with lightning events. In this post, our Matt Willens Chicago injury lawyer will discuss electrical injuries in children.

Symptoms of Electrical Burns

Electrical burns can cause symptoms similar to those caused by other types of burns. These burns can be particularly frightening, because injured children may not only have a burn on the skin, but may also experience other severe symptoms including:

• Abnormally fast heart rate
• Dizziness
• Trouble breathing
• Black or reddish urine
• Memory problems
• Seizures
• Problems maintaining balance
• Bleeding from mouth

In some cases, the electrical burn may not even leave a burn on the skin, but, the mere thought of a child experiencing an electrical burn can be frightening. However, the reality is that these injuries are quite common among children, considering how curious they are when it comes to electricity and electrical outlets.

Liability in personal injury cases involving defective products and negligent injuries

Not all electrical burn injuries in children are a result of innocent exploration. A large percentage of these injuries occur because of dangerous or defective toys, especially the ones that require to be plugged in in order to operate.

Like other types of burns, a child suffering from an electrical burn injury can also be a result of a caregiver or supervisor who was behaving negligently or intentionally. It may also be a result of a defective product or a product that lacked proper warning labels, or it can result from combination of negligent supervision and defective products.

In any of the aforementioned cases, those involved in causing the electrical burn injury, whether directly or indirectly, can be held liable for product liability and/or negligence. Those liable can include anyone involved in manufacturing or chain of distribution such as the wholesaler or seller.

Seeking legal help when a child suffers an electrical burn

If your child has suffered an electrical burn, you will likely have questions regarding liability. The first step you should take is to ensure that the child receives immediate and proper medical treatment. After this, you should discuss your case with an experienced Chicago product liability lawyer to find out your options.

In case your child’s electrical burns are a result of negligence of someone who was supervising the child, or a defective product, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to recover damages from the party or person at-fault. However, to make a successful claim, you will need legal help from a competent and qualified burn injury attorney Willens Chicago, who can protect your and your child’s rights.