Apartment Premises Liability - Scalding Injury - Child Injury
WRSMH Of Counsel, Brielle C. Goldfaden, obtained a $500,000 settlement on behalf of an infant who was scalded by hot water in an apartment building. The one and a half year old child entered his apartment bathroom, climbed up onto the sink and sat upon the sink with his feet under the faucet. When he turned the hot water knob, the water was extremely hot, instantly burning his feet. The child required surgery, including skin grafting to heal the burns. He was left with permanent scarring on both feet and ankles. Although there is no regulation or law in New York City dictating a hot water "maximum," Brielle was able to convince the defendant that such a severe burn would not have occurred had the water temperature been set to a reasonable degree. After extensive litigation, the insurance carrier tendered their entire liability policy, offering to settle the minor’s case for half a million dollars. A portion of the settlement was used to purchase annuities, making the total value of settlement over $1.4 million.