Batteries are an everyday household item – from electronics to household appliances and vehicles. Because we use them so frequently, it can be hard to remember that they contain dangerous chemicals. When the acid gets on your skin, you are experiencing a caustic burn. It should get treated immediately. How severe your injuries are is dependent on the type of chemical burn you sustain.

Types of Battery Acid
There are different types of battery acid that consumers use daily. We break down three common types that you may come across:
Household batteries (alkaline): These batteries contain alkaline acid and potassium hydroxide (lye). It is more of a strong base than acid but can cause chemical burns when you least expect it.
Car batteries (sulphuric): Car batteries are usually composed of lead batteries containing sulphuric acid. When this acid meets your skin, it will cause severe burns, eye damage and requires emergency treatment.
Lithium-ion batteries: Lithium-ion batteries are in products like cell phones and e-cigarettes. Rechargeable batteries are prone to be fire hazards if stored improperly, over-charged, or become overheated.

Symptoms of Battery Acid on Skin
Symptoms do not always appear immediately when your skin encounters battery acid. The damage is “localized” to the affected area. Depending on how the type, strength of the acid, and how long it has been on your skin, you might feel common symptoms like:

  • Pain
  • Tingling/numbness
  • Redness
  • Skin discoloration
  • Itching
  • Blisters

Chemical burns can be life-threatening. If the accident happened because of a faulty product or occurred due to negligence, consult with a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles. In severe cases where acid was ingested, inhaled, or got in an individual’s eyes or his/her lips, other symptoms can occur, like:

  • Shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing
  • Irregular heartbeat, how blood pressure, or heart attack
  • Loss of vision
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Muscle spasms
  • Seizures

Medical and rehabilitative costs can get expensive. Victims should hold all negligent persons accountable with the chance to recover maximum compensation.

With any kind of chemical-related injury, a burn injury lawyer in Los Angeles would recommend that you call Poison Control for advice first. Make sure to provide them with a detailed description of the incident. Although they can offer you steps to treat the problem, always follow up with a hospital or doctor visit. They can provide an official report of the injury including how it debilitated your livelihood, which will be helpful if you decide to file a claim moving forward. At the Law Offices of Oscar H. Gutierrez, we understand the nature of thermal heat, chemical, radiation, and electrical burns to build a powerful claim or lawsuit for our clients.