Lots of people want that nice bronze glow that comes with relaxing on the beach in the summer. Thanks to tanning beds, people can achieve a sun-kissed summer look all year round. Unfortunately, tanning beds are not the safest alternative to lying out in the sun, which some people claim they are. Every year, people develop skin cancer related to tanning, and many cases are fatal.
Exactly how many deaths are directly related to tanning beds is hard to say. Tanning beds do not kill quickly. Instead, people might develop skin cancer and succumb to the disease months or years after they begin using tanning beds. Even so, studies estimate that thousands of people develop skin cancer because of tanning beds each year. The costs of tanning-related illnesses, injuries, and deaths might be staggering. Medical treatment alone might cost someone hundreds of thousands of dollars over time. Depending on your circumstances, it might be possible to sue a tanning bed manufacturer or tanning salon for your injuries.
Call the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 and ask our Chicago personal injury attorneys for a free review of your case to get started.
How Many Deaths Are Related to Tanning Beds Each Year?
Tanning beds are far more dangerous than many people realize. Not only are they not a safe alternative to tanning outdoors, but they are also just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than laying out in the sunshine. Tanning beds emit ultraviolet light, specifically UVA rays and some UVB rays. These wavelengths of light are incredibly damaging to the skin and are directly linked to skin cancer.
One study estimated that in 2015, approximately 1,200 deaths were attributable to tanning beds. While tanning beds do not directly cause death, they may greatly increase the risk of skin cancer, especially with repeated use over time. Other statistics place the number of skin cancer cases in the U.S. caused by tanning beds at 419,254. Further, statistics show that even occasional tanning bed use can triple your chances of developing melanoma skin cancer.
Skin cancer is arguably one of the most common forms of cancer, and it is often linked to exposure to UVA and UVB rays. Tanning beds are essentially caves full of UVA and UVB rays, and tanning bed users are pretty much blasted with these rays. While you might emerge beautifully bronzed, you are also at a much higher risk of developing skin cancer.
The Costs of Tanning Bed Related Injuries and Deaths
A report in 2015 found that the healthcare costs of skin cancer related to tanning beds were about $343.1 million. Remember, this figure is from nearly 10 years ago, and the current costs are likely even higher. On top of that, many believe that statistics about skin cancer and tanning beds are underreported. There is no national database or registry specifically for skin cancers related to tanning or tanning beds, so the real number is likely higher. Depending on your situation, our Naperville, IL personal injury attorneys might be able to help you get compensation for your tanning-related injuries.
The costs of your specific injuries from tanning bed use depend on numerous factors. First, we should consider your health and the medical complications you might have experienced. The cost of treatment for skin cancer can vary greatly from person to person. Some are lucky enough to catch it early. They might respond well to treatment and spend less money on medical care due to their faster recovery. Others are not so fortunate. They might be diagnosed with a later stage of skin cancer, and treatment might not go as planned, leading to very expensive long-term care.
Can You Sue for Damages Related to Deaths or Injuries Caused by Tanning Beds?
Depending on your specific situation, you might be able to sue for damages related to tanning beds. It depends on whether your injuries can be linked to using a tanning bed and the actions of the business or company that supplied the tanning bed or tanning services. Remember that a case like this might be hard to prove because most people use tanning beds willingly. A company that manufactures tanning beds or provides tanning services will likely argue that you assumed the risk.
The dangers of tanning beds and tanning in general are not a secret. Most people understand that tanning comes with an increased risk of skin cancer. This is similar to how people generally understand the dangers of smoking or drinking yet choose to consume these products anyway. You might have a stronger claim to damages if the defendant did something to mislead you into using the tanning bed more often.
If you continued to use a tanning bed or tanning services because the provider of the bed or services made false or misleading claims about the safety of the tanning beds, you might have a stronger case. It is not unusual for manufacturers of tanning beds or tanning salons to claim that their beds are somehow safer than other ones. They might even say tanning beds are much safer than tanning outside. If you were misled into using a tanning bed and later developed skin cancer, you should speak to an attorney.
Evidence That Might Link Your Injuries to Tanning Beds
We must have evidence that you used tanning beds before you were diagnosed with skin cancer or some other medical condition. If we cannot prove that you had used tanning beds, we cannot connect your injuries to them. Your own testimony about frequenting a tanning salon or receipts from when you purchased a tanning bed may be helpful.
We also need evidence of statements made to you about the safety of the tanning bed from the defendant. This might include statements made directly to you or statements made through advertising. For example, the owner of a tanning salon might have misled you by making false claims that their tanning beds are less likely to cause skin cancer. Alternatively, a company that makes and sells tanning beds might distribute advertisements that make false claims about safety and skin health.
Finally, we should have medical records to prove that you were diagnosed with skin cancer, what your treatment is like, and the costs of treatment. This is one of the most important pieces of evidence in your case as it shows the extent of your damages and may determine what kind of compensation you receive.
Call Our Personal Injury Attorneys if You Believe You Were Injured by a Tanning Bed
Call the Rhatigan Law Offices at (312) 578-8502 and ask our Springfield, IL personal injury attorneys for a free review of your case to get started.
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