Burns can be quite painful and severe, and compared to other kinds of injuries, a burn injury can be more traumatic because it can result in scarring or disfigurement. Burn injuries in the workplace are not a common occurrence, but they do happen, and if you have been the victim of the injury while working, then you may be thinking of acquiring compensation. If you have had a burn injury due to the negligence of your employer, you could very well be deserving of compensation, especially if you have a long period of recovery and cannot work or have to undergo surgery for your injury. Here’s everything you should know about claiming compensation for a burn injury at work.
Know the kind of injury you have
The first thing is to know the kind of burn injury you have because your compensation will depend on the severity of the injury. In medical terms, burn injuries have three main categories: first-degree burns, second-degree burns, and third-degree burns. A first-degree burn will usually damage the skin’s top layer, the epidermis. The burn can appear blotchy and red but will not have any blistering. A second-degree burn, meanwhile, can damage the skin’s second layer, the dermis. The wound may blister and turn red. A third-degree burn is the most severe and will damage the skin’s third layer, the hypodermis. This type of burn injury can mean a long recovery period, and it may also cause scarring and require a skin graft procedure.
Your total compensation will depend on the severity of your burn injury; a third-degree burn will have a higher compensation amount than both first- and second-degree burn injuries. It is important that a medical professional assess your burn injury so you can determine your prospective compensation. Your injury solicitor can arrange this for you, and the personal injury solicitors from https://www.shireslaw.com can make sure that you have all the other evidence you need as well.
The reasons why people claim burn injury at work compensation
Claiming compensation for your burn injury at work may be in your best interest for several reasons. For one, compensation is your right under the law if you have suffered burn injuries through no fault of your own. Secondly, compensation can help you pay for your medical treatment and whatever other therapies you may need so you can have a quicker recovery. Thirdly, if your burn injury prevents you from earning an income again, your compensation can make up for your lost earnings, both in the present and future.
When you can process your claim
You will have to make your burn injury at work claim within a maximum of three years from your injury unless you are younger than 18. In most cases, a claim will succeed if you can prove the negligence of your employer, and the accident didn’t happen because of your actions. Your employer has to make sure that you are properly qualified in the use of any machinery or tools you are supposed to use at work, and they also need to make sure that the machinery or tools are fit for purpose and properly maintained. If you were injured because of the handling of dangerous or noxious chemicals, know that your employer is required to comply with COSSH (Controls of Substances Hazardous to Health) guidelines, and along with this, chemicals should also be controlled and stored accordingly.
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