Who Is the Most At Risk of Suffering a Burn Injury at Work?

Workplace accidents can cause severe burn injuries in various ways and result in deadly consequences. Even minor burn injuries can require surgeries and extended time missed from work. Despite required safety measures and precautions, burns continue to be a common type of injury in the workplace.

A wide range of workers, including construction workers, electricians, and firefighters, are at risk of a burn injury.

Burns can cause some of the most painful and debilitating injuries and frequently have lifelong effects, including disfigurement and disability. Burn injuries are a leading cause of injury and death in the United States. Data from the National Center for Biotechnology Information reveals that 42 percent of workplace injuries involve workers getting burned.

Some professions pose more burn injury risks than others and require workers to face daily dangers. Professions that put workers at a higher risk of burn injuries include:

• Food service workers
• Electricians
• Construction workers
• Welders
• Factory workers
• Coal miners
• Firefighters

What Are Common Types of Workplace Burn Injuries?

Burns are painful wounds that affect the skin, the body’s largest organ. They are classified into categories based on the severity of the injury. Common types of work-related burn injuries include:

• Electrical burns
• Chemical burns
• Fire burns
• Thermal burns
• Radiation burns
• Explosion burns

How Are Burn Injuries Caused at Work?

Negligence is at the core of most workplace burn injuries. Our experienced Philadelphia workers’ compensation, products liability, and construction accident lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP know how burn injuries are often caused at work and the parties who can be held responsible.

Common causes of burn injuries at work include:

• Faulty or incorrectly installed wiring
• Defective work machinery or equipment
• Failure to implement and follow safety protocols
• Lack of proper training for employees
• Poor maintenance of machinery or equipment
• Inadequate inspection of the job site
• Negligent co-workers
• Lack of warnings or proper instructions

Who May Be Held Liable for Workplace Burn Injuries?

Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to recover Workers’ Compensation benefits as well as compensation from negligent third parties.

Negligent third parties may include:

• Manufacturers
• Distributors
• Vendors
• Engineers or designers
• Maintenance companies
• General contractors
• Subcontractors
• Property owners
• Co-workers

What Should I Do If I Suffer a Burn Injury at Work?

Injuries involving burns or explosions at work can have devastating consequences. In an instance, you can sustain severe burns resulting from coming into direct contact with an open flame or the impact of an explosion. Family members might also be dealing with the death of a loved one due to a severe burn injury at work. The shock of such accidents can be stressful and overwhelming.

If you sustained a burn injury at work, you should take the following steps:

• Seek immediate medical attention, even if you do not feel your injury is serious.
• Report the injury to your employer or supervisor at your job.
• If possible, take pictures of the accident site and your physical injury.
• Get contact information from any eyewitnesses to the accident.
• Keep copies of accident reports and documentation of medical treatment.
• Contact an experienced Workers’ Compensation lawyer as soon as possible.

What Damages Can I Recover for My Workplace Burn Injury?

Our Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation lawyers fight for maximum damages in each and every case we handle. Damages you may recover for your workplace injury include:

• Medical expenses
• Cost of ongoing medical care
• Mental health treatment
• Physical therapy
• Lost wages
• Diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life

Family members who lost a loved one in a catastrophic accident at work can file a wrongful death lawsuit with the help of an experienced attorney. We can help you recover compensation for your losses, such as loss of consortium, companionship, spousal services, and other financial losses. Our dedicated team is committed to assisting families in these difficult situations.

Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

Cases that involve a burn injury are often complex and involve multiple parties. Our knowledgeable lawyers can protect your rights and best interests at every step. Hiring an experienced n lawyer as soon as possible is crucial. The sooner you retain our legal services, the sooner all claims can be filed.

A lawyer at Galfand Berger LLP can help with your case in the following ways:

• Take over the details so you can focus on recovering from your injury.
• Thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your case.
• Interview any eyewitnesses to your work-related accident.
• Obtain and review accident or police reports.
• Gather and review all medical records.
• Work with medical and industry experts for critical testimony.
• Negotiate with insurance companies and opposing parties.
• Prepare to take your case to trial when appropriate.

Contact Us Today if You Have a Burn Injury From a Workplace Accident

Galfand Berger LLP has recovered some of Pennsylvania’s highest financial awards for victims of workplace burn injuries.

Some of our past burn injury cases:

• $36 million recovery for fatal workplace explosion: A deadly workplace accident occurred when a large steel-producing machine exploded, fatally injuring one worker and causing severe burn injuries to two others. We recovered $36 million for our clients.
• $10,650,000 settlement for a fatally burned worker and his injured co-worker: Our clients were the family of a deceased maintenance worker and his co-worker who were in an accident at an automotive battery company. We ensured the family of the deceased worker and his injured co-worker shared a $10.65 million settlement paid by four different companies, one of the largest settlements ever in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Our Philadelphia Workers’ Compensation, Products Liability, and Construction Accident Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP Fight for the Best Possible Outcome in Every Burn Injury Case

Our Philadelphia lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP have a reputation for skilled advocacy and winning significant financial awards. If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury at work, we are here to help. Call us at 800-222- USWA (8792) or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including Allentown and Harrisburg.