Ingesting Button Battery Can Cause Critical Injury, Death

Young ones, especially very young children, are widely known for putting items in their mouths. Choking is not the only danger to be mindful of when your young child has consumed some thing he shouldn't have -- the number of injury and death from button batteries from unintentially swallowing is increasing across the U.S., and these could be critical, even fatal, occurrences.

About 3,500 people in various age groups unexpectedly eat these little, disc-shaped devices year after year in the United States. Many are approximately the size of a coin, and many times they will pass through the digestive tract and be eliminated in the stool, never leading to any issues. However, this is not always the situation.

In the event that you or a loved one has suffered from an ingested button battery, you might be entitled to compensation. A button battery attorney can help decide if your case is valid.

Hazards Of Swallowing Button Batteries

In the event that they are swallowed, button batteries could be wedged in the esophagus. When that happens, a energy current can develop surrounding the outside of the device and generate hydroxide, causing critical internal harm, damaged tissues, chemical burns, and even death in some instances.

Once agitation of the esophagus begins, the damage can remain even if the device is dislodged. Warning signs of button battery injuries can include discomfort, drooling and coughing, which can be mistaken for other childhood sickness.

Around 11 kids have died in the last 6 years after eating these items. More have suffered the grave button battery injuries discussed previously. So, how do you avoid these tragedies from occurring?

Where Will I Find Disc Batteries And How Could I Safeguard Them?

These tiny energy providers come in an array of typical items in the home, the majority of which you may well not be aware of, including:

• Timepieces
• Remotes
• Key-less entry appliances
• Hearing aids
• Greeting cards that have recorded messages
• Bathroom scales
• Games
• Calculators

To deter unintentional intake, the National Capital Poison Center advises disposing of these objects mindfully, storing them out of your daughter's or son's grasp all of the time, and ensuring any electronic gadgets that utilize them have a battery storage space that is secured by a screw or taped securely. Furthermore, always verify medication long before ingesting them -- adults have accidentally consume these objects, as they are tiny and could be incorrectly recognized as tablets or pills.

What To Do If Disc Battery Eaten

It is important to understand what to do in the event that a baby swallowed a battery. The below actions could help save you or your daughter's or son's life in the instance of accidental ingestion.

1. IMMEDIATELY call up the National Battery Ingestion Hotline, which is answered 24 hours a day. The phone number is 202-635-3334, and you may phone collect if you must; or dial up the poison center at 800-222-1222.
2. While calling, attempt to have the device's ID number ready. This could be located on the package or on a matching battery.
3. An X-ray will be needed ASAP in the majority of cases. This is required to make sure the appliance has traveled past the esophagus.
4. Until the person who swallowed the appliance has had an X-ray, he or she should NOT eat or drink. Vomiting SHOULD NOT be attempted.
5. If vomiting, bloody stool, fever or abdominal pain is noticed, report it immediately.

The disc battery lawyers at Schechter, McElwee, Shaffer & Harris L.L.P. have the most experience in the nation in these types of cases. Call them today to learn more about cases of injury or death from button batteries.