Common Causes Of Work-Related Burn Injuries

If you’ve ever burned yourself at work you are part of a large group. According to the National Institute of Health, burn injuries on the job account for a quarter of all burn injuries in the USA. Further, In the USA the average cost to treat a burn patient is $54,000. If you are burned at work it’s important to remember that the Georgia workers’ compensation attorneys at Parsons Law Group can help you with your case, ensuring that you get the compensation you deserve.

Burn injuries are common in many workplaces, whether from radiation, chemicals, or just open flames, as one would find in a kitchen. Burn injuries not only result in physical pain and discomfort, but they can also lead to psychological trauma and prolonged medical treatments. After recovery, burn injuries can impair the worker’s ability to retain gainful employment.

Different Types of Burn Injuries

There are many different types of burns:

• Thermal (heat-related) burns can be caused by the skin coming in contact with steam, hot metal, scalding liquids, or flames and they are common in commercial kitchens
• Chemical burns happen when detergents, acids, solvents, or alkalies come into contact with eyes or skin, for example in a factory producing those materials, or even a laundromat
• Electrical burns result from electric current and occur mostly around electrical equipment on construction sites
• Radiation burns come from sun exposure (sunburn) or ultraviolet ray exposure i.e. x-ray machines in hospitals
• Friction burns occur when the skin comes into content with a hard surface, for example, a “skinned knee” that results from a fall

Any of these types of burns can result in significant injuries requiring medical attention and lost time from work.

Industries With a Higher Risk of Burn Injuries

In certain jobs, burn injuries are commonly seen, for example food service, construction, manufacturing, electrical installation, and firefighting. Obviously, firefighters understand the risk of getting burned.

However, did you know that any commercial kitchen can be the site of serious burns, from gas stoves, hot grease, or hot ovens, especially when chefs are very busy? Manufacturing, although under the purview of OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) includes many areas where workers are exposed to chemicals, radiation heat, and electrical components. Gas explosions, live electrical lines, molten metals – all are common in manufacturing plants. Often workers are inadequately trained to deal with hazardous situations that may result in burns.

Third and fourth-degree burns can lead to the loss of an entire layer of skin, and can even result in amputation of the affected limb.

The Impact of Burn Injuries on Workers

Many physical, mental, and financial challenges can ensue from work-related burn injuries. Those could include lost wages, medical expenses, job loss, and emotional distress. If you find yourself with a severe burn requiring medical treatment, call us today, and we can help you file your workers’ compensation claim. Treatment may be slow and expensive. The sooner you report your injury, the greater the chance of making a swift recovery.