Burn Injuries

March 27, 2014

Contractors to Pay Family $14.8M for Natural Gas Explosion

While the physical and emotional burden remains heavy, a sizeable financial weight has been lifted off the shoulders of Faye Boroughs and her son as a Florida jury awarded the family $14.8 million after an explosion in their home. Ms. Boroughs sustained severe burns on 33% of her body and remains permanently disfigured; a lifelong reminder of the explosion that claimed life of her partner. Michael Blanchard was burned on 98% of his body and suffered for three long weeks before succumbing to his injuries. The couple’s young son was in another part of the home at the time, but sustained psychological injuries.

According to the National Trial Lawyers, “evidence showed that the defendant companies violated gas safety codes and failed to adequately train their technicians.” The plaintiff’s attorneys were able to establish that the explosion was directly caused by negligent actions by Panhandle Plumbing and Andrews Cooling & Heating. Panhandle Plumbing did not seek the appropriate permits to install a gas line that was not properly labeled and lacked a safety shut-off valve-two very basic requirements. Andrews Cooling & Heating then installed a gas dryer with that faulty pipe, and ignored both the manufacturer’s instructions and minimum safety code provisions.
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July 16, 2013

Brookline Hot Coffee Assault Gives Woman First-Degree Facial Burns

by Altman & Altman

In Brookline, a woman sustained first-degree burns to her face when another woman assaulted her with hot coffee. The incident took place at the HRI hospital cafeteria.

According to the report, Amber Kelly threw the drink at the woman, who is related to the ex-wife of her husband. Kelly is charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, in addition to four other additional warrants.

Massachusetts Personal Injury and Assault

June 12, 2013

Man Involved In Quincy, Massachusetts Construction Accident Suffers Electrical Burns

by Altman & Altman

A man who sustained electrical shock injuries in a Quincy construction accident was rushed to the hospital. A Boston Medical Center spokesperson said that Antonio Deponte sustained electrical burns on his forearms after making contact with a power line.

The intensity of the shock reportedly caused DePonte to fall a floor. He also suffered a head injury. The Massachusetts electrical burn accident occurred at the new Central Middle school.

Electrical Injuries and Massachusetts Construction accidents
While many electrical burns may not show themselves on the skin, their damage can be deep, causing severe injury to the tissue. Depending on the strength of the electrical current that was involved, heart rhythm disturbance, cardiac arrest, organ damage, serious entry and exit wounds, and even death occur.

Unfortunately, electrical injuries, including electrocution and electrical shock, are a serious risk for many construction workers every day. Many workers have to work around and with electricity. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that electrical accidents is one of the leading causes of construction accident fatalities, with hundreds of fatalities and thousands of worker injuries caused by electrical burns and shocks. Other common causes of Boston construction accidents involving electrical sources include high-voltage power lines, extension and power cords that are faulty or short circuited, defective or poorly maintained power tools, lighting, inadequate ground-fault protection, and negligent use of equipment.

As an injured construction worker, you may not be able to file a Boston electrical injury lawsuit against your employer, but you are likely entitled to Massachusetts workers’ compensation. There also may be other parties associated with the construction job, such as the owner of the project, another contractor, and others that you may be able to pursue legal damages from, in addition to other third parties involved in the accident.

Man injured in accident at Quincy school construction site, Boston.com, June 11, 2013′

Bureau of Labor Statistics

More Blog Posts:
GAO Report Finds State-Run OSHA Programs Failing to Meet Workplace Safety Goals, Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyer Blog, June 7, 2013
Worker Killed in Northampton Construction Accident, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, April 19, 2013

Brockton Tractor-Trailer Driver Suffers Electrical Shock After His Truck Strikes Power Lines on I-95 in Attleboro, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, August 17, 2012 Continue reading

January 7, 2013

Holyoke, Winchendon, and Chelmsford, MA Fires Claim Lives

by Altman & Altman

A woman was killed in a Holyoke fire at her home on Saturday. Investigators believe that the blaze may have started close to a wood-burning stove. Firefighters that rushed to the scene were able to extricate another woman and her dog from the roof of the bungalow’s front porch. Following the fire, the whereabouts of two other dogs were in question.

Also on Saturday, an elderly couple was killed in a three-alarm Chelmsford blaze that caused a significant portion of a 24-unit condo complex to collapse. A seven-year-old boy who sustained third-degree burns is reportedly fighting to survive. The cause of this fire is also under investigation.

And in yet another fire, this one in Winchendon on Friday, a 70-year-old man died in a two-alarm blaze that destroyed his residence. Icy conditions and strong winds impeded firefighter efforts.

September 30, 2012

Southwest Airlines Sued By Passenger Over Alleged Burn Injuries from Hot Tea

by Altman & Altman

A Southwest Airlines passenger is suing the company and one of its flight attendants for burn injuries she says she sustained while being serve tea during a flight. Angelica Keller is seeking $300,000 for personal injury, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and property damages, as well as $500,000 in punitive damages.

The food injury accident allegedly occurred on December 28, 2011 while Keller was riding on Flight 955. She contends that the flight attendant gave her a cup of water that was “extremely” hot in another cup that was also carrying condiment packets and a tea bag. As the plaintiff tried to remove the tea bag, between the ‘hot’ paper cup with very hot water and the other cup, the liquid fell out and onto her groin area, causing her to sustain second degree burns, skin blisters, and permanent scarring.

Keller partially blames Southwest’s lack of tray tables in its planes’ front rows for her personal injury accident. She also believes that the airline served water that was too hot for use in a plane. Because she had her seatbelt on, Keller said it took her longer to get out of her seat because she couldn’t jump up right away. She claims the flight attendant wasn’t very helpful. Keller is contending that there was a failure to warn of the danger that can arise from drinking hot tea when there is a flight.

July 9, 2012

Settlement Reached by Family of Man Killed in Gas Explosion

by Altman & Altman

The family of a construction worker killed by a propane gas explosion that occurred in Norfolk in August 2010 has come to a $7.5 million settlement in the wrongful death law suit it filed against EnergyUSA and Smolinsky Bothers Plumbing and Heating. William Nichols, 46, was killed when a propane gas tank at a Norfolk condominium construction project was negligently under-filled by the energy company. This allegedly caused the chemical odorant-designed to make the gas detectable-to fade.

The suit also alleges that Smolinsky Bothers did not fully tighten a connection to the furnace, which caused the then-undetectable gas to leak. This leak is what is said to have caused the explosion. The blast essentially buried Nichols in burning debris, crushing him and resulting in burns covering more than 80 percent of his body, until he was extracted by local firefighters. The burns and other injuries resulting from the explosion are what ultimately led to his death.
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July 9, 2012

$7.5M Massachusetts Wrongful Death Settlement in 2010 Norfolk Propane Blast Lawsuit Filed by Electrician’s Family

by Altman & Altman

The family of William Nichols has reached a $7.5 million Massachusetts wrongful death settlement in its lawsuit against EnergyUSA and Smolinsky Plumbing and Heating over the 2010 Norfolk propane explosion that claimed his life. Nichols, a 46-year-old Blackstone electrician, suffered fatal injuries, including burns to 80% of his body, when the blast happened and then trapped him under rubble for over 90 minutes.

At the time of the explosion, he had been working on the air conditioning and heating system in a duplex under construction. There had been no odor to warn him that an explosion was coming.

According to the family’s Norfolk wrongful death complaint, EnergyUSA under-filled a new propane tank, which caused the chemical odorant to fade. This is the reason why the propane that leaked had no smell and could not be detected–a theory confirmed by reports about the leak accident. They contend that the company violated the warning located on the propane tank cover that instructs for the new tank to be filled to capacity. Records indicate that only 200 gallons was delivered to the 1,000 gallon tank on April 29, 2010.

July 5, 2012

N.H. Fireworks Blast Injures 9

by Altman & Altman

An explosion at a Pelham, N.H. home Tuesday night injured 9 people, including 3 children, according to police and neighbors. As a result of the “large amount of fireworks located in and around the home,” the house caught fire and subsequently ignited the fireworks inside. The initial report said that “the house was filled with smoke,” and neighbors reported seeing red, white and blue flames, as well as black smoke.

The house caught fire around 7:30 p.m. and was extinguished shortly thereafter, at which point the nine victims were transported to nearby hospitals. As of Tuesday night, their conditions were still unknown, but they range in age from infant to adult. Neighbors said that the family has put on a fireworks display every year for the past ten years without incident.
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June 21, 2012

Fire Hazards Prompt CPSC To Recall Frigidaire Gas Range, Big Lots Ceramic Space Heaters, and Other Products

by Altman & Altman

The Consumer Products Safety Commission recently announced the recalls of a number of products over concern that they may pose a fire hazard:

• Approximately 99,700 outdoor wall mount lanterns: These products were imported by Bel Air Lighting Inc. and made by manufacturers in China. The lanterns’ internal wiring may experience an electrical short circuit, which creates the risk of Boston burn injuries, electrical shock, and fires. Bel Air Lighting has received two reports of lanterns catching fire. So far, no injuries have been reported.

• About 53,000 air movers made by EDIC: A fire can start if the air mover’s electrical capacitor should falter and overheat. There have been four fires that caused property damage reported.

• Approximately 70,500 portable ceramic space heaters imported by Big Lots: An electrical shock or fire hazard can occur if a heater were to melt and overheat. While Big Lots has received a few reports of space heaters melting and overheating, no injuries or fires have been reported.

• 185 Frigidaire Self-Clean Gas Ranges: A fire hazard can be triggered if the bake/broil oven features experience a delayed ignition.

Our Boston burn injury attorneys are familiar with the pain and suffering experienced by victims of fires or other accidents. In addition to severe physical injuries can leave lasting emotional and psychological scars even after extensive and costly treatment, the life of someone who has suffered severe burns may be permanently altered. Many victims are left disfigured or disabled and unable to work or live a “normal” life. The lives of loved ones can also be severely affected as a result.

Consumer Product Safety Commission

More Blog Posts:
Explosions and fire ravage Winthrop home, injuring family & damaging house, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, February 23, 2012
Elderly Somerville Woman Dies After Clothes Ignite in Massachusetts Kitchen Fire, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, February 19, 2012
Products Liability: Massachusetts Manufacturer One of Several Companies to Issue May Recalls to Prevent Child Injuries, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, May 28, 2012 Continue reading

April 16, 2012

Massachusetts Had Lowest Pediatric Death Rate in 2009, Reports CDC

by Altman & Altman

According to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state of Massachusetts had the lowest pediatric death rate among all the US states in 2009 at 4 child deaths per 100,000 kids (age 19 and under). The national average for that year was 11 deaths/ per 100,000 children. The CDC has published its findings in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

CDC principal deputy director Ileana Arias says that one reason for Massachusetts’ lower child death rate is that the state has taken pains to address child injury prevention, including developing policies and programs to promote children’s safety. In 2008, the state passed a law mandating that all kids under the age of 8 use a booster seat when riding a car. Following a 2006 law that toughened up requirements for teens seeking to earn their driver’s license, teenage driver deaths declined by 75%.

Our Boston injury lawyers handle Massachusetts injuries to a minor cases. We represent children and their families with civil lawsuits against negligent product manufactures, automakers, physicians, property owners, pet owners, and other liable parties.

Per the CDC’s report, nationwide car crashes comprised close to 50% of the 9,143 pediatric injury fatalities that occurred 2009. Although this figure is still too high, it is a significant decline from the number of child car crash deaths that took place a decade ago. That said, child injuries continue to be the number one cause of children fatalities.

The CDC says that the rates of child fatalities caused by infant suffocation while sleeping and teen poisoning deaths (many from prescription drug overdoses) have gone up. However, there has been a decrease in the number of deaths from fall accidents, drownings, and fires/burn injuries. Unknown causes was cited as the reason for 1070 child deaths in 2009.

Massachusetts Child Injury Cases
We know how devastating it can be to see your child suffer because someone else was reckless/careless. Sometimes, the negligent party may be a company or an individual you do not know. We also represented clients with Boston wrongful death cases or personal injury claims against a relative or a friend.

Massachusetts leads nation with lowest rate of accidental deaths in children, Boston.com, April 16, 2012
Vital Signs: Unintentional Injury Deaths Among Persons Aged 0–19 Years – United States, 2000–2009, CDC
Safe Kids USA

More Blog Posts:
Johnson & Johnson Sued in Wrongful Death of Toddler Who Took Children’s Tylenol, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, January 11, 2012

Boston Child Injuries: Do Some Toys Cause Hearing Problems?, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, December 26, 2011

Boston Playground Accidents Can Cause Serious Massachusetts Child Injuries, Boston Injury Lawyer Blog, September 10, 2011 Continue reading