Industrial burns in the workplace are a major concern and major source of injury across the country. The threat of workplace burns is present across all industries and despite exhaustive regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration aimed at preventing workplace burn injuries, thousands of workers suffer burns annually.
Experienced industrial injury lawyers can represent industrial workers, electricians, welders, plumbers, healthcare workers, automotive industry workers, and any other worker who has sustained an industrial burn. If you have suffered from a burn in the workplace, a Charleston industrial burn injury lawyer can help fight for the compensation you deserve.
Common Types of Industrial Burns
Every year, hundreds of workers are severely burned in work-related accidents. Industrial burns can be the result of defective products, exposed electrical wires, toxic chemicals, or due to concentrated steam resulting in severe and potentially life-threating burn injuries.
Some of the most common industrial burns include:
- Thermal burns, which occur when a worker is exposed to hot liquids or steam. Open flames, hot objects, and explosions can also cause thermal burns. Thermal burns are the most common form of burn injury sustained by workers across all industries.
- Chemical burns, which occur when a worker’s skin or eyes come into contact with corrosive and chemicals such as acids, alkaloids, or other dangerous chemicals. These dangerous chemicals can burn or even eat away at the skin and affect the deeper tissues. Unfortunately, these volatile chemicals can be hazardous to workers who are exposed to splashes and spills.
- Electrical burns, which are the result of electrical current traveling through the body and as it travels it meets resistance from tissue in the body. Workers coming in contact with live wires and other electrical sources most often cause these burns.
Burn injuries are generally broken down into four degrees, with first-degree burns being the least severe and fourth-degree being the most severe. Because workplace burns tend to be the result of contact with industrial equipment and chemicals, workers tend to sustain significant burns that often require lengthy hospital stays and expensive rehabilitation.
Duty to Worker Protection
A large majority of industrial burn injuries can be prevented by following guidelines established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Employers have a responsibility to provide workers across all industries with a safe working environment. Speaking to a Charleston industrial burn injury lawyer about the OSHA requirements can help employees have a better understanding of their rights.
This means that employers are expected to take proactive steps to prevent workplace burn injuries by providing proper training and safety materials, as well as ensuring that machinery and equipment is generally safe and will not cause burns.
Deciding to Pursue Damages
Regardless of the cause of an industrial burn, if you have suffered a burn injury in the workplace, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. It is important to understand that South Carolina workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, which means that employees do not need to prove that their employer was negligent in order to receive benefits. If you have suffered an industrial burn in the workplace you may be entitled to compensation and coverage for medical expenses, lost wages, disability, and even vocational training.
If you have suffered a burn injury in the workplace, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. Charleston industrial burn injury lawyers are committed to providing injured workers with the answers and guidance they need after an industrial burn injury. With your best interests in mind, our industrial burn injury lawyers will fight for your right to compensation and will provide comprehensive support during this difficult time.
