Open flames, hot food and liquids and heated kitchen equipment in restaurants make burn injuries very likely. Though restaurant owners and staff warn customers about hot plates and liquids, accidents can still happen due to negligence. Apart from burnt tongues, customers may also endure third-degree burns from restaurants, which can result in permanent damage.
Long-term consequences of burns
Sometimes, the food restaurants serve is so hot that it can result in injury.
Although tongue burns may heal quickly, severe or third-degree burns can result from skin coming into contact with high-temperature objects such as hot plates or boiling liquids. Third-degree burns damage all the layers of the skin and can have long-term effects like nerve damage, scarring, infection or disfigurement.
Moreover, major burn injuries can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. They may experience loss of physical abilities, chronic pain and itching and struggle with body image issues.
Are you entitled to compensation?
Restaurant owners owe their customers and everyone else on their premises a duty of care. Failing to warn customers about potential hazards or fix any known issues on their premises may breach that duty.
A customer may be eligible for compensation if they sustain serious injuries at a restaurant due to the owner or staff’s carelessness or inaction. To claim compensation, the victim will have to prove the following:
- The restaurant owed them a duty of care
- The restaurant breached its duty of care
- The victim’s burn injuries resulted from that breach of duty
- The victim suffered damages as a result
Suffering a burn may cause more than physical damage to the victim. It could also cost them lost wages, medical expenses and enjoyment of life. However, a victim may not be able to get the full compensation or any at all if they shared fault in causing their injuries.
After sustaining burn injuries at a restaurant, the most important things to do are gather proof and see a doctor. If the person hurt wants to sue, they may consult a premises liability lawyer first to determine if they have a case.