15 Marines injured while training at Camp Pendleton

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Fifteen Marines were recently injured during training at Camp Pendleton, CA. Five of them were critically injured and they are currently in San Diego and Orange County hospitals. The causes of the accident are still under investigation. Apparently, an assault amphibious vehicle had burst into flames while training early that morning. This is the second incident at the Marine Corps over the last two years involving multiple injuries. Contact a Ventura County burn injury attorney if you are a burn victim unsure about your legal rights.

The amtracks have been operating since the 70s and they are able to transport about 20 Marines. They weigh over 25 tons and can travel at 45 mph as well as surf 10-foot waves. These vehicles are used to bring the troops ashore from larger vessels. The Marine Corps was going to replace them back in 2003 with an expeditionary fighting vehicle but the project was canceled in 2011. The amphibious vehicles seem to be well-maintained as Marines generally spend about 13 hours servicing them.

The recent accident is not the first one involving an assault amphibious vehicle. Back in 2013, a 21-year-old amtracker was killed during another accident when an amphibious vehicle burst into flames at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms due to ammunition igniting inside the vehicle. There have been two other accidents involving burn injuries at Camp Pendleton in recent years.

The cause of the accident has not been released yet. Five marines were reported to be in serious condition. They were in the middle of a combat readiness evaluation when the fire started in one of the amphibious vehicles or “amtracks.” Two Marines were immediately airlifted to UCI Medical Center with severe burn injuries.

Types of burn injuries

  • 1st degree – Only affecting the first skin layer and they look like a sunburn. It generally heals within 3-5 days.
  • 2nd degree – It affects both the outer and inner layer’s skin layers and they can take weeks to heal.
  • 3rd degree – It affects all skin layers as well as bones and they take months to heal.

The way the degree is determined is by calculating how long the victim was exposed and how toxic the burning agent was. One of the most common sources of burn injuries is vehicle fires. Some of these victims can develop infections and suffer from severe pain.

How a Ventura County burn injury attorney can help you

If you have suffered any of these burn injuries, whether in a vehicle collision or at home, contact a Ventura County burn injury attorney. Most of these accidents are caused by negligence, therefore, you are entitled to file a personal injury claim. Whether the accident was caused by a driver or a manufacturer, nobody should suffer the consequences of someone else’s irresponsible behavior. Call us today and schedule your initial case evaluation with Ventura County personal injury attorney J. Jeffrey Herman.

The Law Offices of J. Jeffrey Herman has a focus on personal injury cases in other parts of California.

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