When spending time in NYC apartments, you will often see old radiators in the rooms, bringing heat and warmth to the apartments. Over the years, many New Yorkers have sustained contact burns, scalding burns from steam, and even devastating burns from malfunctioning home radiators. There is even an infamous case where two young children tragically died from their injuries after a landlord had ignored the tenant’s repair requests. Like all heating and cooling equipment, radiators require regular maintenance, repairs, and cleanings for which landlords and property managers are responsible.
Our legal team will be able to investigate the cause of a radiator malfunction and present a strong case that can ensure that you are awarded compensation. Our premises liability attorneys hold property owners responsible for accidents involving their property.
Understanding Premises Liability in New York
Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility that property owners and managers must ensure that all aspects of their property are safe for their tenants and visitors. Suppose someone is injured on a property due to an unsafe circumstance, especially one that has been reported on or neglected. In that case, the property owner or landlord can be held liable.
In NYC, many parties can be held liable for any injuries from neglected pieces of the property that caused an injury; however, the lawsuit hinges on the crucial element of who controls the property.
- Property owners: The owner is the one who is most heavily scrutinized and investigated regarding injuries on their property. They own the property, and at the end of the day, it is up to them to ensure that their property is safe and continues to run safely.
- Property managers: When it comes to poor maintenance, neglecting work orders, or failing to address issues on the property, landlords and property managers can be held liable.
Many other parties can be held accountable for their part in the injuries you or a loved one has suffered. Hiring a lawyer will ensure the property is thoroughly investigated to ensure your claim has the highest chance for maximum compensation. Proving that the property's conditions were hazardous can be tricky, and you need to ensure that you collect evidence as soon as possible and then reach out to an experienced legal team to explore your legal options.
Radiator Burns: A Serious Premises Liability Concern
Radiators have been heating homes since 1855, but if not used or maintained properly, they can cause burns, fires, carbon monoxide, and lead poisoning. While these heating systems can pose a significant danger, about 80% of buildings in NYC are heated with radiators. Like all equipment, radiators need regular preventative maintenance, repairs, cleaning, and inspection. If not done regularly, it can release dangerous amounts of steam and hot water that have been known to scar and even fatally injure those nearby permanently.
Depending on the severity of the injuries sustained from a radiator burn, the legal battle you face can change. With a radiator, you could sustain the following injuries:
- First degree burns
- Second degree burns
- Third degree burns
- Scalding from the steam
Radiator burn injuries don’t just leave you with blisters and some medical treatment. The severity of the burns can lead to mounting medical bills, disfigurement, and even death. Severe burns create extensive damage to the layers of skin on your body and can potentially damage the muscles below.
Burns can lead to:
- Infections
- Tetanus shots
- Antibiotics
- Skin grafts
- Physical therapy
- Cosmetic surgery
If a defective radiator has left you or your loved ones with the consequences of someone else’s negligence, you might have a case to seek compensation. Let the Case Handler handle your case and fight for your justice.
Protecting Your Rights After a Radiator Burn Injury
If you or a loved one is suffering from the burns from a radiator, especially when it’s a child, you desperately want to do anything to take away that sting and pain that they are feeling. It’s normal to initially think that ice, or iced water, is the way to take that burn away, but it’s not. If you have a radiator in your house, you should take first aid classes.
If you have a radiator burn, you should:
- Run cool water over the burn for at least 20 minutes
- Remove any clothing or jewelry that isn’t stuck to the burn that might be near
- Cover the burn with a non-fluffy cloth
- Call for professional medical attention
Ice can damage and shock the skin and delay healing, so it should never be used to treat a burn. If you need healing after a neglectful property owner, contact the Case Handler to start the process.
The Case Handler can handle your legal case with compassionate counsel for families grieving and navigating these complex legal issues. Relentlessly striving for justice and ensuring that all parties are held accountable, we can get you and your family the maximum compensation you are entitled to. Contact us today to get started handling your case.
