Workplace accidents that lead to burn injuries can have both a short-term and long-term impact. Burn injuries can lead to extensive pain and suffering, along with the need for emergency medical treatment. They also take a long time to heal, so they could lead to long-term medical costs – such as skin grafts or other surgeries. Furthermore, some burns lead to permanent injuries, so they could cause disabilities or disfigurement issues.
But not all workplace burn accidents look the same. There are many different risk factors for employees to consider. Below are a few of the different causes of serious burns, broken down by the percentages that researchers have found:
- 37% scalding burns
- 26% thermal burns
- 16% chemical burns
- 11% electric burns
- 5% contact burns
- 4% friction burns
- 1% other types of burns (radiation, etc)
Many people first think of thermal burns, where a worker may be exposed to an open flame or a heat source. But the statistics show that scalding burns – those involving liquids – are actually more common. These could include burns from scalding water or oil in a commercial kitchen, for example, or scalding coolant or other fluids in a mechanic shop.
Do workers deserve compensation?
Yes, many workers who are injured on the job deserve financial compensation. This can help to cover their lost wages, along with a potential reduction in earning capacity. They can also consider the short-term and long-term medical costs, as noted above.
Because a burn injury can have such severe ramifications, these costs can be quite high, so it’s imperative for workers to know exactly what legal options they have.