It might appear like a small accident at first. You reach out for your morning coffee at a drive-thru, and suddenly, the cup tips or the lid pops off. Scalding liquid pours onto your lap or hand. The pain is sharp, and sometimes, the burns can be serious enough to leave lasting damage.
Hot drink burns happen more often than you might think, especially at fast-food drive-thrus. Many of these injuries are caused by loose lids, flimsy cups or staff errors. But when something so routine goes wrong, you might wonder if you just had bad luck or if someone should be held responsible.
How to protect yourself after a burn
Getting burned by a hot drink is not always your fault. Restaurants have a duty to serve drinks safely. If they fail to do so and you are hurt as a result, you could have a valid personal injury claim. Do the following if this happens to you:
- Act quickly: Rinse the burn with cool (not cold) water to ease the pain. Seek medical help if the skin blisters or if the burns are deep.
- Document it all: Take photos of the injury and your clothing. If possible, snap a picture of the cup, lid or spill.
- Keep receipts and medical records: These can help show that you visited the location and received treatment.
- Report the incident: Let the store manager know what happened. Ask for a written report if you can.
- Do not downplay the injury: Burns can lead to infection or scarring. Be honest about your pain and symptoms.
Brushing off a burn is easy, especially when busy or unsure what to do. However, do not stay silent if the injury affects your health or daily life. You are better off working your case with a legal representative for guidance on the next steps.
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