Scalds & Burns - Work Injury Compensation Claim

Our specialist lawyers have extensive experience in catastrophic injury claims, including severe burns as a result of a work accident. All of the lawyers are experts in personal injury claims and know how to get their clients the full and fair compensation they deserve. Work injury cases are taken on a no win no fee basis, which means your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case. Bringing your personal injury case is completely risk-free and you do not have to finance the claims process.

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Catastrophic Injury

Catastrophic injuries are severe, life-threatening injuries that typically occur suddenly as the result of an accident. These are injuries which require immediate and extensive medical treatment and are likely to permanently affect the victim’s life.

Severe burn injuries are a type of catastrophic injury, often resulting from a work accident, that can result in lifelong disabilities and impairments, such as loss of sensation and movement, as well as damage to the victim’s cognitive and communicative abilities. All of the body’s systems can be damaged by a severe burn, including the respiratory, circulatory, nervous and gastrointestinal systems. The physical complications and side effects of severe burns include :-

• scarring
• increased risk of infection
• dehydration
• disrupted blood circulation
• shock

Dealing with the immediate and long-term side effects of catastrophic injuries such as burns requires the collaborative efforts of a team of medical specialists, including physicians, nurses, therapists, counselors and consultants.

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Work Injury

Industrial accidents can result in a number of different types of catastrophic injuries, one of which is severe burns. An work accident can involve explosions, chemical spills, electrocution, superheated liquids, molten metals or superheated gases, all of which can result in serious burns to those involved in the accident. These burns can be life-threatening, and those who survive will still face years of rehabilitation and painful surgeries.

Work injury accidents are not uncommon. Tragically, many of these industrial accidents could have been avoided with the property safety measures. Some of the most common causes of severe burn injuries in the workplace are :-

• fires and explosions at oil refineries
• boiler accidents
• contact with hazardous chemicals
• fuel delivery accidents
• faulty temporary electrical wiring at a construction site
• defective welding tools
• lack of proper safety shields

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Diagnosing Burns

The severity of a burn is diagnosed by evaluating specific factors, including the size, depth and location of the burn as well as the patient’s age. The doctor will also consider the amount of swelling, signs of infection and the patient’s degree of pain.

One of the most important factors in diagnosing the severity of a burn is determining the total body surface area (TBSA) that has been burned. To do so, a doctor utilizes a diagnostic tool known as the “Rule of Nines.”

The Rule of Nines divides the body up into various sections, each of which represents 9% of the surface area of the body. A major burn is considered to be anything larger than 10% of the total body surface area.

For children, a separate chart, called the Lund-Browder chart, is used to determine TBSA because the surface areas of certain body areas are smaller in children than adults.

Burns are placed into one of three categories: first degree, second degree and third degree. Below are the characteristics of the different types of burns :-

1. First Degree Burns: only the outer layer of the skin, called the epidermis, is affected; the victim will experience pain, redness and sensitivity at the site of the burn.

2. Second Degree Burns: the depth of the burn extends to the second layer of the skin, called the dermis; the victim will experience pain, redness, swelling and blisters (which may ooze) at the site of the burn

3. Third Degree Burns: the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis (where blood vessels and nerves are located) are affected, and the victim’s bones, tendons and muscles may also be damaged; the burned area will appear charred, leathery or pale; most third degree burns result in extensive scarring.

The most serious burns result in scarring, and burn scars fall into one of three major categories: contractures, hypertrophic and keloid. Each type of burn differs in its appearance and location :-

• Contracture Scars: permanent tightening of the skin that can limit mobility at the site of the scarring due to its effects on the underlying tendons and muscles

• Hypertrophic Scars: red, raised and thick scars that develop at the site of the burn

• Keloid Scars: overgrowth of scar tissue which extends past the site of the burn; initially red or pink but eventually become a dark tan color

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Award of Damages

Damages awarded for burns and scalds in work injury compensation claims can be quite substantial. Severe burns are life-threatening injuries which can result in extensive internal damage Burn victims suffer greatly, both physically and emotionally. They may have to live with scarring and disfigurement which can lead to emotional and psychological problems. For these reasons, personal injury lawyers are often able to obtain large judgments on behalf of their clients in cases of extensive burns resulting in long-term complications.

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Free Legal Advice

If you have been the victim of a serious burn injury caused by an accident at work, you may be entitled to bring a legal claim to seek compensation for your physical and emotional suffering. Our burn injury solicitors are qualified to help victims recover the full amount of damages available to them. They will help you assert your legal rights so you can move forward with your recovery. Contact us today to receive free legal advice from an experienced specialist lawyer. This consultation is completely free of charge and you are under no further obligations.