Your Ally
In Complex Litigation And Transactions

The Aftermath of a Burn Injury at Work

On Behalf of | May 4, 2019 | Firm News, Personal Injury Law

If someone suffers a burn injury at work, he or she is likely due certain benefits and compensation from the employer’s workers comp insurer. Injury victims from San Jose, CA and throughout the Bay Area can work with the knowledgeable team of burn injury attorneys at Bowles & Verna, LLP to learn more about their legal rights in the aftermath of a burn injury at work.

Burn Injury Damages

Burns are classified by the severity of the damage they cause. In general, burns are classified as being a first-, second-, or third-degree injury. Burns can actually be even more severe than third-degree, but these types of catastrophic burns typically result in death.

  • First-degree burns: First-degree burns damage the top layer of the skin. These superficial injuries can result in redness, swelling, and peeling skin. First-degree burns can be painful, but they should heal quickly, and are unlikely to cause any long-term damage.
  • Second-degree burns: Second-degree burns cause damage that extends to the deeper layers of the skin. Typical symptoms include swelling and blistering. Aside from being extremely painful, second-degree burns take longer to heal and will likely leave the victim unable to work while they recover.
  • Third-degree burns: Third-degree burns damage all the layers of the skin, as well as the tissues and muscles beneath. These burns often require hospitalization. Third-degree burns will also likely cause long-term damage that may include scarring, disfigurement, or physical limitation.

Workers’ Compensation Rights

If a burn injury takes place at work, the injury victim should have a right to receive compensation from the employer’s workers comp insurance company. Even if a victim plays a role in, or is partially to blame for the injury, compensation is typically provided, as long as the injury was not deliberate.

In most cases, victims of workplace injuries are due compensation for the cost of all medical treatment that is directly related to the injury. Medical expenses should be covered until the patient reaches the point that no further medical improvement is expected.

Aside from medical treatment, workers comp benefits are meant to provide injury victims with compensation for lost wages related to time away from work because of injury damages. In most cases, workers comp benefits will cover two-thirds of lost pay as a worker recovers from the injuries.

If a person is considered partially or completely disabled due to a burn injury, workers comp should be held accountable for additional damages. Depending on the specifics of the injury, a worker may be eligible for disability payments or a workers’ comp payout.

Advantages of Working with an Attorney

Burn injury victims in San Jose and throughout the Bay Area can benefit from working with the attorneys at Bowles & Verna, LLP. Our attorneys will examine the details of each case to determine if there are other avenues of compensation aside from workers comp insurance. For instance, depending on the specifics surrounding each injury, other workers, contractors, or manufacturers may be held partially liable for injury damages.

Contact Us

If you have been injured at work, you may be due financial compensation for losses such as medical expenses and lost wages. To discuss the details of your case with the burn injury attorneys at Bowles & Verna, LLP, contact us at your earliest convenience. You can also call our office at (925) 935-3300 to schedule a personal consultation.

Related to This