Workers’ Compensation for Workplace Burn Injuries

Burns, whether from heat and flame or chemicals, are a common workplace hazard. They happen very quickly, but the effects can last long after the burn wound has appeared to heal. The severity of burns can vary from just a surface wound to deep tissue, bone and muscle damage which can cause many complications including infection, scarring and organ malfunction. If you sustain a burn injury at work you should report the incident to your employer and seek medical attention right away. You may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim if the burn injury happened during the course of doing your job.

Common types of burns in the workplace

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s annual statistics, burns from heat and chemical burns comprised close to 2 percent of all workplace injuries and illnesses.

• Heat burns can be caused by exposure to open flames, sparks, steam or hot surfaces.
• Electrical burns are caused by exposure to high voltage electricity. An electrical current can cause serious burns when the current exits the body, but it can also damage internal organs without leaving a scar on the skin.
• Chemical burns occur when the skin comes into contact with corrosive substances.

Many workers may be exposed to these kinds of hazards as a part of their daily tasks at work, however, the OSHA has strict safety standards and regulations with regard to burn safety and the handling of dangerous chemicals in the workplace. Employers can receive OSHA citations when they violate the safety guidelines designed to keep workers safe.

Degrees of burns

Due to the varying severity of burns, the degree or depth of the burn injury may have an impact on the amount of workers’ compensation the employee receives. The higher the number of degrees, the more severe the burn.

1. First degree burns damage the epidermis, or the outer layer of the skin. A first degree burn can be treated with ointment and bandages.
2. Second degree burns penetrate to the second layer of the epidermis causing more pain, redness and sometimes blisters and scarring of the skin.
3. Third degree burns penetrate beneath the epidermis and can destroy nerve fibers. A third degree burn is incredibly painful and can leave significant scarring on the damaged skin.
4. Fourth degree burns penetrate even deeper under the skin, permanently damaging nerve fibers, muscle, ligaments, tendons and bones. A fourth degree burn could be fatal.

Workers’ compensation for burn injuries in the workplace

Depending on the severity of the burn, a worker could miss long periods of time at work while healing from their injuries. Workers’ compensation pays a partial disability payment, and it covers medical expenses related to the workplace injury. If you were burned at work in Delaware, your doctor would determine when you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) to see whether you will be able to return to work, or if your injury has permanently disabled you.

If you or someone you care about has suffered a burn injury on the job, our experienced Delaware workers’ compensation attorneys can help get you the compensation you deserve. Silverman, McDonald & Friedman have offices in Newark, Seaford, and Wilmington. If you are unable to visit an office in person, please contact us today or call 302-888-2900 to schedule a consultation. We have offices in Wilmington, Newark and Seaford from which we serve clients throughout Delaware.