When most people think of the catastrophic injuries that can happen in a fire, they think of burn injuries. They think of skin that’s been hurt and that will need significant surgery and care in the future. While these external injuries can be severe, it’s important to understand that burn victims often have bigger health issues: Smoke inhalation.
In fact, smoke inhalation is much more likely to be fatal than a traditional burn injury. This damage, which is caused not just by smoke but by heat, fumes, and gases that are given off during a fire, can be harder to see but can be more debilitating in the long run. If the victim survives, they could have life-long health issues. Treating those health issues can be expensive. However, if the exposure to the smoke was the fault of someone else, then they may be legally accountable for the cost of medical treatment and more. Read on to learn more and then reach out to Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
Firefighters are more likely to face smoke inhalation but less at risk
It’s true that firefighters are more likely to face smoke inhalation. That said, injuries are very rare for them. Why? Because they have safety gear and they are trained in how to handle these situations. They also know the signs of smoke inhalation and are more likely to seek treatment.
On the other hand, when a civilian is exposed to smoke they are at a much higher risk. They likely have no training on what to do in a fire or what to do if they’re inhaling smoke. They may think they just have a cough and not seek medical treatment, only to find later that they suffered a serious injury related to smoke inhalation.
Smoke inhalation is more dangerous today than ever before
Would you be surprised to know that if you compared how dangerous a fire was 50 years ago to how dangerous it is today, that it’s significantly more dangerous? It used to be that mostly natural materials were used to build furniture. Today most furniture is made from fabricated products. When those fabricated products go up in flames, their fumes are much more toxic.
The three things every smoke inhalation victim should be checked for
The experts say that that there are three things every person who inhales smoke should be checked for:
- Burns in the airways
- Poisoning from hydrogen cyanide and / or carbon monoxide.
- Damage to the windpipe and tubes to the lungs via chemical exposure.
As you can see, these issues may not necessarily be obvious immediately after a fire, which is why a victim should always get medical attention, even if they feel fine.
Have you suffered from smoke inhalation?
If you’ve been exposed to a fire or smoke then you may be in a position to hold the guilty party accountable. Contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 right now for a free legal consultation. We’ll let you know what your options are.
