What Should I Do If I Suffer A Burn Injury At Work?

Suffering a burn injury while working can lead to painful and long-term consequences. The cost of medical care alone can leave you in a difficult financial position, especially if you cannot return to work and provide for your family. A study on workplace-related burns shows those most at risk of a burn injury at work are:

• Male
• Between the ages of 25 and 44
• Caucasian, followed by African Americans
• Manufacturing industry workers

The study goes on to share that the three most common types of burns at the workplace are:

1. Thermal burns
2. Chemical burns
3. Electrical burns

For those who experience workplace burn injuries, it’s crucial to take the right steps to report the incident, get proper medical attention, and put yourself in the best position to recover damages through a personal injury claim and workers’ compensation benefits. Working with an experienced burn injury lawyer can help you get the maximum compensation for your losses.

Contact our Catastrophic Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation.

Can I file a claim for a burn injury that happened at work?

You should file a claim for any injuries caused by workplace accidents, even if you are partially to blame for what happened. Workers’ compensation insurance is designed to help employees get necessary medical care and payment for lost wages without the burden of having to prove the employer was at fault.

To file a workers’ comp claim, you must take action as soon as possible, including informing your employer, filing your claim, and documenting your injuries at work. This process may include the following:

• Getting witness statements
• Gathering medical records
• Filing the appropriate accident reports
• Requesting up-to-date employment records

Should I report a minor burn injury that happened at work?

If your burn is minor but requires medical attention, you should report the incident. You may be able to collect workers’ compensation benefits for any expenses you incurred during treatment, including urgent care and visits to your primary care provider. You may also qualify to recover some of your lost wages, even if you’re only out of work for a few days.

If you’re unsure if you qualify to file a workers’ comp claim, you can consult a knowledgeable workers’ compensation lawyer to see your options.

What compensation should I expect from a burn injury at work?

Injured workers who suffer a burn in the workplace are entitled to claim workers’ comp benefits. How much you receive will depend on several factors, such as:

• The severity of the burn
• How much work was missed
• Your average weekly wages
• When you reach your maximum medical improvement (MMI)
• If the burn caused permanent damage
• The medically-evaluated percentage of your impairment

For mild burns, you should be able to claim burn injury at work compensation for medical bills and a portion of your average wages. However, if the burn was severe enough to disable the injured worker permanently, that person may qualify for permanent partial disability or permanent total disability benefits. You can also use a workers’ comp claim calculator to get a better idea of what your claim may be worth.

To get the most for your claim and ensure you get the compensation you and your family deserve, consider working with an injury attorney specializing in workplace burn injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our Colorado burn injury lawyers.

Is a burn considered a disability?

A burn may be considered a disability if the employee experiences significant losses and other complications related to the injury. For example, a worker may be eligible for disability benefits through the workers’ comp system if the burn results in:

• Significant scarring
• Disfigurement
• Skin grafts
• Hospitalization
• Serious infections

A qualified doctor will need to assess the burn and take into account the type and length of treatment, the prognosis, and how the injury impairs the worker before categorizing it as a partial or total disability.

Is a burn injury considered a catastrophic injury?

Catastrophic injuries are severe enough to leave permanent impairments to the victim. In the case of burn injuries in the workplace, the worker may experience long-term effects that change their life forever.

The classification of burns are:

1. First-degree burns (superficial) – When only the outer layer of the skin, or epidermis, is affected, it is considered a first-degree burn. Sunburns or burns from briefly touching hot objects are examples of this type of burn.
2. Second-degree burns (partial thickness) – Second-degree burns are more severe than first-degree, involving the epidermis and the skin’s lower layer or dermis.
3. Third-degree burns (full thickness) – With third-degree burns, both the epidermis and dermis are critically damaged, with the furthest inward layer of skin (subcutaneous tissue) possibly affected as well.
4. Fourth-degree burns – Fourth-degree burns are the most severe. They cause damage to all layers of skin, going deep enough to reach muscle or bone in some cases. These burns also destroy nerve endings.

If you were severely burned and have experienced life-altering consequences, your burn may be considered a catastrophic injury. Talk to s catastrophic injury attorney to see whether you have a case.Why hire a catastrophic injury attorney to represent you in your burn injury case?

You Deserve Justice. Schedule a free consultation with our catastrophic injury lawyers today.

Why hire a catastrophic injury attorney to represent you in your burn injury case?

While you may be eligible for workers’ comp benefits, you could also qualify to take legal action against the party responsible for your accident. Working with a catastrophic injury attorney will help you understand your options and what compensatory damages you may recover, including pain and suffering.

A catastrophic injury lawyer knows the laws, regulations, and steps to take to make your case a success. They will gather evidence, file the necessary documents, communicate with the insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for maximum compensation for the full value of your current and future losses.
The Elite Litigation Group at Bachus & Schanker is ready to fight for justice. We focus exclusively on catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases to help victims and their families get the help they need. To learn how we can support you every step of the way, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

sources

Classification of Burns. (2022).
Mian, M., et al. (2011). Workplace-related burns.