Excessive Water Temperatures Can Cause Severe Burns

1. Scalding Injuries
Excessive Water Temperatures Can
Cause Severe Burns

2. • Scalding is the second-leading cause of burns in the U.S., behind only
fires.
• Approximately one-third of people admitted to burn centers for
treatment had scald injuries.
• There are more than 500,000 scald burn injuries every year in the U.S.
• Scalding is the leading type of burn injury for children 4 and under.
A Very Common Burn Injury

3. In Other Words…
Over 1,000 scalding injuries happen every day. These injuries
are not only common, they can be incredibly serious. In the
following pages, we’ll look at the consequences of scalding
injuries and the sometimes-surprising ways they happen.

4. What is Scalding?
Scalding occurs when someone is exposed to hot liquid or
steam. The extent of the injuries caused by this exposure
depends on several factors, including the heat of the liquid or
steam and the duration of the exposure and the type of
substance that contacts the skin.

5. Four Degrees of Severity
• First degree burns involve only the skin’s top layer, much like a non-blistering
sunburn.
• Second degree burns affect the skin’s second layer, often causing blisters.
• Third degree burns penetrate skin to the underlying tissues and often require skin
grafts. There can also be nerve damage.
• Fourth degree burns can go through muscle tissue and into bone. In some cases,
amputation may be required.

6. What Temperatures Can Scald the Skin?
Exposure to liquid at these temperatures can cause third-
degree burns...
• 120 degrees, though after several minutes of exposure.
• 140 degrees after five seconds of exposure.
• 155 degrees after just one second of exposure.

7. Scalding Injuries and Excessive Tap Water Temperatures
While one of the more obvious causes of scald burns is the exposure to
boiling liquids in the kitchen, there is a much more surprising way
people suffer these burns in their homes: When a water heater is set
too high, the water from the faucet can quickly cause serious burns.
• In fact, 17% of childhood scald hospitalizations are caused by hot tap
water.

8. Indiana’s Statutes on Water Temperatures
Indiana provides statutes on hot water used for washing,
stating that temperatures “shall be maintained between 105
degrees F. and 120 degrees F. An anti-scald device shall be
provided to automatically control the hot water temperature
so that it cannot exceed 120 degrees F.”

9. Who is Responsible for Maintaining These
Temperatures?
Property owners, managers and landlords should regularly check water
temperatures of their water systems to ensure they don’t produce
water exceeding levels stated in Indiana’s statutes. It is their legal
responsibility to do so. The companies that make and install water
heaters and plumbing systems also have a responsibility to make sure
these devices are set to safe temperatures.

10. Where These Injuries Happen
• Housing units, such as apartments and
rental homes
• Dormitories
• Commercial buildings
• Schools
• Hotels
• Gyms
• Restaurants
• Healthcare facilities.
Scalding injuries can happen in any building where there are excessive water heater
temperatures, including…

11. Testing the Water Temperatures for Safety
If you’re concerned about the water temperatures in your house,
apartment or workplace, let the water run for three minutes so the
water can reach its maximum temperature. You can then run the water
over a thermometer to check the temperature. If the water exceeds safe
levels, contact the property owner or manager immediately to have
them address the problem.

12. The Consequences of Scalding Injuries
Burns are notoriously painful, expensive and debilitating. Scalding can
permanently damage the skin and underlying tissue, sometimes causing
disfigurement and disability. The procedures required to treat burn
injuries are very costly. If you’ve suffered a burn injury because of a
property owner’s failure to adjust water temperatures, you deserve
compensation for your injuries.

13. If You’ve Suffered a Scalding Injury…
Contact the Indiana personal injury attorneys at Stephenson Rife to
learn more about your legal options. We have years of experience
handling these types of cases, and we know how to get results that
reflect the damages suffered by our clients. We encourage you to reach
out to us today to schedule a free consultation.