Hazmat Fire Injuries in South Carolina
A hazmat fire can lead to serious injuries in South Carolina. “Hazmat” is short for “hazardous materials,” and a fire of this nature may involve chemicals, toxins, corrosive materials, biohazards, and even radioactive substances. If you were caught in a fire of this nature, you may be attempting to determine the true extent of your injuries. Once you have received medical attention, you may wish to pursue compensation alongside a Charleston burn injury attorney.
Hazmat Fire Reported in South Carolina
Hazmat fires occur all the time in South Carolina. In April of 2024, a hazmat crew was deployed in Anderson County to fight a serious fire. The fire occurred at an auto shop, and it apparently involved several burning car batteries. Fire officials did not reveal whether the batteries were simply burning or whether they actually triggered the fire. However, the latter is certainly a possibility – especially considering the widespread use of batteries in EVs. Batteries often contain highly toxic materials.
Possible Injuries in Hazmat Fires
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) describes several potential injuries that may arise from hazmat fires. Perhaps the most notable of these are caused by radiological hazards. Radiation can cause a range of health defects, including cancer and birth defects/mutations. Often, victims only discover the true extent of radiation injuries years after initial exposure. Even if you escape unharmed from a hazmat injury, you may have sustained invisible radiation exposure.
Breathing issues are very common after hazmat incidents. When a hazmat fire occurs, a variety of chemicals can enter your lungs. In serious cases, this can cause slow suffocation and death.
Of course, all explosions can cause the same basic injuries – regardless of whether toxic chemicals are present. Mechanical hazards include flying debris, thermal injuries (burns), and smoke inhalation.
Hazmat Fires Lead to Different Kinds of Burns
According to the National Institutes of Health, most chemical burns do not require specialized treatment. However, some of these burns can prove difficult to treat. In some cases, normal burn treatment methods can actually be counterproductive. For example, pouring water on certain chemical burns can worsen the situation – feeding chemical reactions and increasing the severity of the wounds.
Specific decontamination techniques may be necessary as you recover from chemical burns. In some cases, first responders may decontaminate you before actually treating your injuries. This is because the presence of toxins on your body poses a risk to healthcare providers.
Work With a South Carolina Burn Injury Lawyer
You may find it easier to access critical medical treatment with help from a South Carolina burn injury lawyer. These lawyers can investigate the fire and determine whether it was caused by negligence. If someone else contributed to your hazmat injuries, you have every right to hold them accountable. To learn more about your legal options, be sure to contact Mickelson Dalton, LLC.
Sources:
wyff4.com/article/hazmat-crews-fire-business-south-carolina-anderson/60445140
fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/hazardous-materials-incidents.pdf
