Burn Injuries at Work
Many people have jobs where the chance of getting burned is higher than average. Those who work in an office setting are certainly less likely to get burned than those who work around machinery, electrical wires, or other heat sources.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (OSHA), 5000 Americans are seriously injured in workplace fires or explosions every year. Around 200 people die each year in these kinds of accidents.
The most common causes of burn injuries at work include:
- Scalds
- Flammable liquids or gases
- Building fires
Electrical, chemical and radiation burns are also concerns in jobs such as construction, roofing, metal mills, scrap metal shops, refineries, kitchens, laboratories, and more. Coming in contact with hot machinery is also common.
The most severe type of burns come from chemicals. Acids, alkaloids, or other corrosive material can eat through clothing and then skin and tissues very quickly. Labs, factories, and industrial sites may see chemical burns due to highly concentrated industrial cleaners. Thermal burns, like those that come from grease or boiling water, are common in the service industry. Restaurant kitchens are also a source for burns from open flames or other hot objects.
If you are burned while on the job, you will need to file a Workers’ Compensation claim with your employer. If your injury is severe, you may be out of work for a very long time. Often the compensation you receive is not enough to cover bills.
If you have suffered a serious burn injury while at work in the Raleigh, Greenville, Rocky Mount, or surrounding areas of North Carolina, please contact the experienced Workers’ Compensation attorneys at White & Stradley, PLLC for an initial case consultation.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011 at 4:41 pm and is filed under Workers' Compensation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
