Workplace Burn Injuries
The American Burn Association reports that 486,000 Americans were treated for burn injuries in 2011 and 3,240 Americans died from smoke inhalation in 2013. Burn injuries can have a devastating effect on victims. It is possible that first and second-degree burns will heal quickly, however, third and fourth degree burns are more complex. They may cause severe injuries and disfigurement. Burns that occur in the workplace present a complex set of considerations for employees attempting to rehabilitate their lives and fully recover from a burn injury.
Burn Injury Causes
Burns occur when skin is exposed to extreme heat sources such as steam, fire, hot oil or hot water. Some burns are minor and can be handled at home. Workplace burns are also common and happen in restaurant kitchens, factories and metal processing plants. A burn can happen in any work environment where there is exposure to high levels of heat, hazardous materials or electrical equipment. Some cause of workplace burn injuries include:
- Smoke inhalation,
- Electrical burns,
- Exposure to industrial chemicals,
- Scalding,
- Over exposure to x-ray,
- Overexposure to UV rays,
- Chemical plant explosions,
- Defective products, and
- Factory fires.
Workers’ Compensation
If you sustain a burn injury at work, then you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance that provides employees injured at work with coverage for medical expenses. Workers’ compensation also helps replace wages lost while an employee recovers from injuries.
Third Party Legal Claims
Unfortunately, workers’ compensation insurance does not offer payment for all expenses related to a burn injury. Workers’ compensation will provide you with coverage for losses such as disfigurement and long-term disability. You may be able to seek recovery for injuries not covered by workers’ compensation by initiating legal action against a third party. Additionally, through a third party legal claim, you maybe able to determine whether your injuries were the result of the negligent or reckless conduct of another party. A burn injury attorney will guide you through the process and may file a claim against another person or entity, such as a product manufacturer or chemical transplant company, to seek damages that would fill in the gap between your workers’ compensation payments and insurance.
Burn Injury Victims Deserve Compensation
Burn injuries leave victims with physical and psychological scars. Recovery from a burn injury may require years of physical and psychological therapy. There may also be expenses related to recovery that insurance does not consider (e.g. special equipment). The burn victim should not pay these unexpected costs. In the case of a fatal burn injury the victim’s family should be fairly compensated for their loss.
If you have suffered at burn injury while working, then contact the Miami burn injury lawyers at our firm. Our burn injury attorneys will use their experience to help you that you and ensure you are fairly compensated for your injury. Please contact us or call Alan Goldfarb, P.A. at 305-371-3111 to discuss your case.
