Treatment and Compensation for Burn Injuries in the Workplace

Burn Injury Attorneys Helping clients across Mercer and Middlesex County NJ

Burn injuries can be serious and difficult to recover from. They may be caused in a myriad of different ways that range from working to everyday life and can lead to lifelong scarring, severe pain, and disability. According to the website WebMD there are three types of burns that everyone should be aware of:

1st-degree burns are mild in comparison to other burns but may still result in severe pain and reddening of the outer layer of the skin.
2nd-degree burns affect the epidermis (the outer layer of skin) and the dermis (the lower layer of skin) and will usually cause intense pain as well as redness, swelling, and blistering.
3rd-degree burns, also known as full-thickness burns, are the most serious due to the fact that they penetrate the dermis and affect deeper tissues. The result is often white or blackened, charred skin in addition to a loss of sensation and numbness.

Burn Injuries Causes

The causes of burn injuries can range from dry heat (such as a fire), wet heat (such as steam or hot liquids), chemicals, radiation, friction, heated objects, electricity, and even the sun. Thermal burns, however, are the most common and often result from contact or exposure to a high heat source such as flames, hot metals, scalding liquids, or steam. The circumstances of these types of injuries may include workplace accidents, house fires, vehicle accidents, kitchen accidents as well as electrical malfunctions.

The symptoms of burns are wide-ranging and depend on both the cause of the burn in addition to the severity.

These symptoms very often include:

Blistering of the skin or other tissues
Pain- This depends greatly on the severity of the burn. It is important to note that the most serious burns may be initially painless.
Peeling of the skin
Reddened or whitening or and even charring of the skin
Shock
Swelling to the affected area and surrounding tissues

Treating First, Second, and Third Degree Burn Injuries

The website Healthline.com has provided a list of recommended actions when a burn or heat-related injury occurs.

In the event of a first-degree burn injury you should:

Soak the wound in cool water for five minutes or longer if needed
Take something for pain relief such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
Apply a lidocaine cream with aloe vera gel to soothe the skin
Use an antibiotic ointment and loose gauze to cover and protect the affected area

Second-degree burns often range from severe to mild. In cases of a severe 2nd-degree burn, you should seek immediate medical attention. Treatments for a mild second-degree burn generally include:

Running the skin under cool water for 15 minutes or more
Taking over-the-counter medication for pain such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Applying antibiotic cream to any blisters that may form
Applying a lidocaine cream with aloe vera gel to soothe the skin and further reduce pain

When it comes to third-degree burn injuries, you should call 911 immediately. While waiting for medical personnel to arrive you should raise the injury above your heart. Though getting undressed is not recommended, you should make sure, as much as you can, that no clothing is stuck to the burn in order to reduce the chance of infection.

Burn Injuries Suffered at Work or while working

Anyone can suffer a burn injury at work or while working. However, there are some occupations that come with a higher risk for this type of injury. These include but are by no means limited to:

Construction workers
Mechanics
Janitors
Electricians
Food Prep Workers and Servers
Healthcare Workers
Fire Fighters

According to The American Bar Association, occupational burn injuries accounted for some 6% of all burns and there are many who feel that these types of injuries are highly underreported.

If you or a coworker has suffered a burn injury at work and you feel it may be serious, it is recommended that you contact an experienced worker’s compensation and personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney to ensure an upright outcome in your case

At Cohen & Riechelson, our attorneys have years of experience supporting our clients in Trenton office, Princeton, Lawrence, Hamilton, New Brunswick, and across Mercer Count in all matters related to worker’s compensation and personal injury law.

We employ an approach that ensures that our clients receive their fair share of compensation for all types of work-related injuries.

To schedule a consultation with a member of our firm today regarding your case, please call us at (609) 528-2596 or go online to schedule a free, no-risk consultation with a personal injury lawyer.