What to do for Scald Burns in Children: Legal and Practical Solutions

Scald burns in children are one of the most common household injuries treated in emergency rooms across the United States. According to the American Burn Association, nearly 73% of burn injuries in children under five are caused by scalds from hot liquids or steam. These injuries can result in lasting trauma, long-term pain, and, in some cases, permanent damage.

Our Chicago child injury law firm is dedicated to helping families whose children have suffered scalds due to preventable negligence. We understand how devastating these incidents can be, and we work to hold responsible parties accountable while pursuing full compensation for your child’s recovery.

Scald Burns Are the Most Common Type of Burn Injury in Young Children

Scald injuries are the most common type of burn injury in young children. Kids under 5 are particularly at risk due to their thinner skin, which burns more quickly and deeply than adult skin. Young children are also naturally curious and unaware of dangerous situations, making them more vulnerable to burns caused by exposure to hot water, steam, or hot foods.

When a child pulls down a pot of soup or uses hot tap water, the hot liquid can cause deep burns within seconds. Due to their smaller size, the same volume of hot liquid can burn a greater total body surface area, increasing the likelihood of serious complications.

How Scald Burns Happen

Scald burns are a type of thermal injury caused by contact with hot liquids or steam, often from hot drinks, boiling water, or pots left on back burners within a child’s reach. Applying cold water, not ice, can help reduce the severity if done quickly to stop the burning process. It’s important to note that scald burns differ from chemical exposure burns, which are caused by contact with a chemical agent rather than hot liquids.

Common sources of burns for children  include:

• Hot tap water from sinks or bathtubs
• Spilled hot drinks like coffee, hot tea, or soup
• Microwaved foods with uneven heating or hot spots
• Steam from appliances like vaporizers or steamers
• Boiling water used for cooking or cleaning

Children can suffer burns when they reach up to grab hot items placed on low tables or countertops. They may also be injured when hot liquids or food are served or carried near them without care. 

Degrees of Scald Injuries

Burn injuries are categorized based on how deeply they affect the skin:

• First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of tissue, causing redness and pain.
• Second-degree burns involve deeper layers of the epidermis, resulting in blistering, swelling, and significant pain.
• Third-degree burns damage all layers of skin and possibly tissue beneath, potentially causing a white or leathery appearance and numbness due to nerve damage.

The severity of surface tissue damage in children often depends on how hot the liquid is and how long it remains in contact with the skin. Immediate burn treatment, such as applying cold water, is crucial to stop active tissue damage and reduce long-term harm.

Children Are More Vulnerable to Severe Burns and Scalds

Children’s skin is thinner than adults, making it more susceptible to deeper burns in a shorter time. When scalds occur, the impact on a child can be greater due to their smaller body mass. A small spill of hot liquid can cover a large portion of a child’s body, increasing the severity of the injury.

Additionally, children may not be able to react quickly enough to escape or remove themselves from the source of heat, increasing their exposure time and the severity of their burns.

How to Prevent Scalds in Daycares

Daycares are expected to provide a safe environment for children. Preventing scalds in these settings includes:

• Installing anti-scald devices on faucets
• Using a bath thermometer to monitor water temperature
• Keep hot food and drinks out in a child-accessible area 
• Avoiding back burners and turning cookware handles inward
• Using child safety gates to restrict kitchen or bathroom access

When these basic precautions are ignored, caregivers may be considered negligent. Consulting a Chicago burn lawyer is critical if your child was hurt in daycare. 

When Scald Burns Indicate Negligence

Not all burns happen by chance. Many children’s burns stem from preventable negligence by caregivers, landlords, or facility operators.

Failure in Supervision

Leaving children unsupervised near heated objects or during bath time puts them at immediate risk. When a caregiver doesn’t actively monitor children in a kitchen or bathroom, they may be held responsible if a burn injury occurs.

Hot Water

Hot water is one of the most common sources of scalds for children. In some cases, temperatures exceed safe limits due to improperly set water heaters. If a property owner or childcare facility fails to regulate hot water or install required anti-scald devices, they may be liable for injuries.

Handling of Hot Foods or Liquids

Adults carrying hot drinks over children, placing hot foods within arm’s reach, or serving hot liquids without checking temperatures create unnecessary danger. These actions, when avoidable, often reflect a failure to follow basic safety expectations.

Chemical Burns

While thermal burns from steam or boiling water are more common, harm caused by hazardous chemicals also occurs. If children are exposed to cleaning products or other corrosive substances due to poor storage or supervision, that exposure can lead to serious injuries and may reflect negligent care.

Child Safe Kitchen and Bathroom Environments

Unsecured pot handles, loose appliance cords, or unrestricted access to hot water sources all present hazards. Caregivers and property managers are responsible for maintaining spaces that account for a child’s reach and natural curiosity. A safe environment should limit opportunities for accidental contact with hot, dangerous sources, such as hot liquids like coffee or tea.

Immediate First Aid for Scald Burns

Taking quick action can reduce the severity of a burn wound:

1. Remove any wet or hot clothing unless it is stuck to your skin.
2. Pour cool running water over the burn for 10-20 minutes.
3. Do not apply ice, butter, or greasy ointments.
4. Loosely cover the burn wound with a clean, non-stick bandage.

These steps help stop the burning process and reduce the risk of infection or raised scarring. If your child’s scald was not properly taken care of, you may be able to seek compensation. 

When to Seek Emergency Room Treatment

Always seek emergency treatment for:

• Large burns or scalds covering sensitive areas (hands, feet, face, genitals)
• Second-degree or third-degree burns
• Burns that cause blistering, white patches, or deep wounds
• Burns accompanied by symptoms of shock or severe pain

Even small burns from something as simple as tap water can become serious for children without proper medical care.

Potential Complications from Severe Scald Burn Injuries

Scald-related trauma in children can lead to:

• Infection of the burn wound
• Severe dehydration
• Lasting pain and emotional trauma
• Disfigurement or hypertrophic scarring
• Need for skin grafts and extended treatment

The ongoing burn response can affect multiple layers of tissue, and some cases may require surgery or years of therapy.

Long-Term Impact When a Child Suffering Serious Scalds

A serious scald injury can leave a lasting mark. In addition to physical scarring and the need for reconstructive surgeries, children may face:

• Reduced mobility due to contractures
• Ongoing pain or sensitivity
• Anxiety or PTSD
• Difficulty participating in normal childhood activities

These outcomes require careful consideration when calculating the long-term cost of a child’s recovery.

Who is Responsible for Your Child’s Injuries?

Responsibility for children’s burns can fall on:

• Daycare centers or babysitters who failed to supervise
• Landlords who neglected safe water system settings
• Restaurants or businesses that left heated items within reach
• Product manufacturers, if defective equipment (e.g., a faulty travel mug) caused the injury

Our legal team can evaluate the facts and determine who may be liable for the injury.

Pursuing Compensation for Scald Burn Injuries in Chicago

When negligence leads to burn injuries, families can pursue legal action through personal injury claims. Compensation may be available for the harm your child experienced, including:

• ER visits
• Ongoing care
• Pain and suffering
• Parental lost wages

An experienced attorney can investigate and determine if the burn was caused by negligence and get your child the support they need.

Damages Recoverable in a Child Burn Injury Case

A successful case can result in financial compensation for:

• Medical costs (initial assessment, ER care, rehab)
• Burn treatment and scar care
• Therapy for psychological trauma
• Disfigurement and long-term skin damage
• Lost income for the caregiver
• Emotional suffering

A legal claim may be the only way to secure the resources needed for long-term recovery.

Why You Need an Experienced Chicago Burn Injury Lawyer

Both major and small burns in children are often preventable. When caused by careless actions, you need a law firm that understands child burn cases. 

Our team:

• Knows how to identify negligence in scald burn settings
• Has access to burn specialists and pediatric care experts
• Builds strong claims based on medical records and facility safety failures
• Fights to recover every dollar your child deserves

How Our Law Firm Investigates Scald Burn Incidents

We begin with an immediate investigation into the accident scene. That includes evaluating:

• Water heater settings
• Appliance safety
• Supervision at the time of injury
• Medical documentation and photos

We also consult safety experts and pediatric burn specialists when needed.

Contact Us for a Free Consultation About Your Child’s Burn Injury

If your child suffered a preventable burn, we’re here to help. Our experienced personal injury attorneys in Chicago will review the circumstances, explain your legal options, and help you file a claim.Call our office at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form to schedule your free consultation today.

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.