Every day, millions of Americans go to work without thinking that a simple accident could change their lives forever, but burn accidents happen surprisingly often.
Burns are one of the most common workplace injuries. In a matter of seconds, damage from fire, chemicals, electrical shocks, or other electrical-related problems can occur and leave the victim scarred and disabled.
If you suffered from burn injuries on the job, you may be entitled to compensation while you recover from your injuries.
How do burns usually occur at work?
When most people think of burns, they think of fires. However, there are many more ways in which a victim can be a victim of burns. Burn injuries are especially common in the construction industry and other similar industries.
Burn accidents can be caused by the following:
1.Hazardous Chemicals
When the skin is exposed to an irritant, such as acid, it can cause burns. Some of the most common irritants that cause chemical burns are car battery acid, ammonia, pool products, and chlorine.
2.Fires & Explosions
Stoves, welding tools, and unexpected explosions are just a few examples in which employees are exposed to fire or explosions on the job.
3.Hot Substances
Some jobs involve heating substances like food, tar, water, and metal. Exposure to these very hot materials can easily burn the skin, causing long-term pain and damage.
4.Electrical Hazards
Electrical burns occur when the body is exposed to electric currents. The current can follow any path in the body and leave the victim with severe burns to the skin, organs, and even bones.
The damage will depend on the strength and duration of the electric current. If the voltage is too high, the shock can even ignite the victim’s clothing.
Different Degrees of Burns
The medical community has a scale for physicians to measure burns and so they can choose the best treatment.
There are four levels on the burn scale:
First degree
First-degree burns impact only the outer layers of the skin also called the epidermis. It takes 3 to 5 days for the injury to heal.
Although these burns are usually considered minor, they can be quite painful and require hospitalization to control pain and fluids. Sunburns are an example of first-degree burns.
Second degree
Second-degree burns can be full or partial thickness. Partial-thickness burns affect the upper layers of the dermis, blister, and take 10-21 days to heal. Full-thickness burns can destroy the epidermis and top layer of the dermis, a skin graft is probably needed for it to heal properly.
Third degree
Third-degree burns destroy all layers of the skin because the nerve endings are destroyed in such burns, the wound is surprisingly painless in the areas of worst involvement. Although the lack of pain may sound like a good thing, third-degree burns are serious injuries that could damage the nerves.
Skin grafts are necessary for the burned area to heal properly. These burns take months or even more than a year to heal and often require extended hospital stays.
Fourth degree
Fourth-degree burns affect the skin, muscle, and bones. In almost all cases, the affected area needs to be amputated and can be life-threatening if the affected area cannot be surgically removed.
The High Cost of Medical Care
Treatment for burns can be very expensive. Moderate burns can cost up to $ 200,000 in medical care, and many burns easily exceed $ 1,000,000.
Medical Care for Burns
The most common complications are usually some of the following:
-Scars and disfigurement
-Psychological disorders
-Skin breakdown
-Infections
-Skin graft failure
These complications can add up to $ 20,000 to $ 120,000 in additional medical expenses.
Rights of Burn Victims at Work
Anyone who has suffered a burn on the job due to the negligence of a third party is entitled to compensation.
Compensation
Workers’ compensation is intended to protect anyone who gets hurt on the job, regardless of whose fault it was for the accident.
However, an impressive 50% of all workers’ compensation applications are rejected. Requests that do get approved rarely cover all of the employee’s losses so it’s very important to consult with an experienced burn-injury attorney.
In these types of situations, an employee who suffers a burn injury at work can make a claim outside of workers’ compensation, and a personal injury lawyer would be appropriate. For example, if you were injured as a result of your employer’s intentional act, you can usually sue your employer in court for a workplace injury.
If you or a loved one suffered a burn on the job, you may need to take legal action against the negligent party. It is also possible that the negligent party is not your employer. In some cases, the manufacturer of the defective product or the company that was in charge of installing or maintaining the product that caused the accident can be held liable.
Through legal means, the victim can receive compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost earnings.
Contact PMR Law Today
At PMR Law, our attorneys have experience handling burn injury claims in Houston and the surrounding region. We can help you regardless of the type or severity of the injury. Reach out online or by phone to speak with a Houston personal injury attorney.
If you need legal representation for a burn-related accident lawsuit, we are here to help. Get in touch online or by phone to speak with a Texas personal injury attorney. We represent injury victims throughout Texas.
Contact our burn injury lawyers at 832-667-7700. Get in touch with us immediately so we can evaluate your case for free. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also fill out a form by clicking here.
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