Burn Injury

Burn injuries can be painful, disfiguring, and debilitating. Victims may experience a lifetime of hardships, financial burdens, and extensive medical care. Whether your injury is minor or severe, you have a right to medical care through workers’ compensation, followed by ongoing treatments and therapy. 

Learn more about the causes and common types of burn injuries and how our lawyers can help maximize your recovery.

Understanding Burn Injuries

Most often, burn injuries occur at construction sites, but they can happen anywhere where employees regularly use hot tools, machinery, or substances. Common burn injuries include: 

• Cement burns. Made from dangerous chemicals, cement can cause severe burns after direct skin contact. Cement burns are especially dangerous because they may go unnoticed until it’s too late. 
• Traditional burns. Traditional burns happen after exposure to fire, open flame, or scalding hot pipes.
• Burns from molten material. Molten steel at worksites is hazardous, and burns from molten material can be especially dangerous and painful.
• Acid burns. Solvents and other acidic materials at a worksite can lead to severe burns. 
• Steam/hot water burns. Burst or broken construction site pipes lead to steam or hot water burns.
• Burns from electricity. Faulty or exposed wires can lead to severe electrical burns.

Causes of Burn Injuries

There are several causes for burn injuries, including:

• Contact with live electrical currents
• Chemical leaks
• Explosions or fires
• Electrical accidents
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Electrocution injuries
• Cement mixing or laying
• Exposure to steam

Implications of Burn Injuries

Burns can cause several stressful, painful, and lasting side effects, including:

• Infection. Since burn injuries compromise the skin’s protective barrier, burn victims are susceptible to infection because bacteria can enter the body more easily. If not treated, burn infections can be life-threatening.
• Psychological and emotional impact. After coping with physical changes like scarring and disfigurement, many burn victims face mental health challenges: anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Secondary complications. Contractures (tightening of skin), hypertrophic scarring, and impaired nerve function can impact a patient’s mobility and functions after a burn injury. 
• Long-term disabilities. Severe burns can cause long-term disabilities that affect joint function, mobility, and quality of life. To regain lost functions, patients may need rehabilitation and ongoing medical care.
• Severe tissue damage. Burns include first-degree (superficial), second-degree (partial thickness), and third-degree (total thickness) burns. Second- and third-degree burns can lead to extensive skin, muscle, and bone damage.
• Fatalities. Severe burn injuries can be fatal, primarily if they cover a large percentage of the body or if there are inhalation injuries. Immediate medical treatment improves the chances of survival.

Recovery for Burn Injuries

Recovery from burn injuries ranges depending on severity, accountable parties, and complications. An experienced lawyer can help you maximize compensation.

Damages awarded typically include:

• Past and future medical costs
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Ongoing pain and suffering

Who is Responsible for Burn Injuries?

Preventing workplace burn injuries involves a combination of safety measures, training, and adherence to regulations. Employers should conduct risk assessments, implement safety protocols, and provide appropriate training to reduce the risk of burn incidents in the workplace. Employers can be held responsible for workplace injuries if they do not take these steps to protect employees.

When worksite burns result from negligence, such as violating an OSHA safety standard, seeking legal help is vital to hold the negligent parties responsible. 

If no one is responsible, you can still recover damages from workers’ compensation.

How We Can Help

If you or a loved one has experienced complications from a work-related burn injury, Golitko & Daly can help. Our experienced lawyers fight for the compensation you deserve and hold the responsible parties accountable.

To schedule a free consultation, call us at 317-566-9600 (Indianapolis), 765-865-9300 (Bloomington), or 812-566-2600 (Kokomo), or complete our online inquiry form to schedule an appointment* with one of our work injury attorneys who will review your case.