You are entitled to claim compensation if you suffer a burn at work in an accident that wasn’t your fault. We work on a no win no fee basis, meaning there’s no financial cost to you if you don’t win your claim.
Table of contents
- Can you make a claim for a burn at work?
- What burn injuries can you claim for?
- Why claim compensation?
- How much is a burn claim worth?
- How we can help you make a successful claim
- Comments – your questions answered
Can you make a claim for a burn at work?
You can make a burn injury claim against your employer if they were negligent in following health and safety rules. Claims succeed if employer negligence can be proved, they failed in their duty of care, and the accident was not your fault. Workers are legally entitled to a safe and secure environment. They must be trained properly and made aware of their obligations to work safely. Employers must ensure the following to avoid staff being burnt at work:
- That the working environment is safe, for example that floors are not wet to avoid staff falling over carrying hot liquids.
- That staff are adequately qualified to use any tools or machinery that they are asked to use.
- That equipment, including hot taps, are fit for purpose with regular servicing and repair.
- That faulty equipment is removed from use and only returned to active service once fully repaired.
- That any noxious or dangerous chemicals are handled in compliance with the ‘Controls of Substances Hazardous to Health’ (COSSH) guidelines, and that chemicals are stored and controlled accordingly.
- That the correct PPE is provided.
Any person is entitled to make a claim for burn injury compensation in these or similar circumstances. Note that a claim usually has to be made within three years of the accident, unless the injured party was under 18.
What burn injuries can you claim for?
See the comments below this article for the different types of accident at work that have resulted in burns. Claims can be made for a range of workplace burn injuries, including:
- Scalding by hot liquid
- Hot oil burns
- Chemical burns
- Steam burns
- Heat and fire burns
- Electrical burns
- Radiation burns
In medical terminology, burns are classified depending on deep they penetrate the skin:
- First degree burns damage the top layer of skin only (the epidermis). They will be red and blotchy, but not blistered, and pain should soon subside.
- Second degree burns also damage the second layer of skin (the dermis). The injury will turn red and blister.
- Third degree burns are the most serious and reach the third, final layer of skin (the hypodermis). They take a long time to heal and cause permanent scarring, possibly requiring skin grafts.
Why claim compensation?
Burns can be very serious injuries, with ongoing and often permanent consequences such as scarring and psychological trauma. The injured party can also lose income if left unable to work for a period of time, surviving on sick pay alone. Making a work accident claim can go a long way to helping you through a difficult time and ease some of the problems you’ll experience:
- It’s your legal right after an injury at work, and fairly compensates you for injuries that were not your fault.
- It can pay for private medical treatment and rehabilitation therapies to speed your recovery.
- If you are prevented from working again it can make up for lost income now and in the future.
There is no financial cost to make a claim – you will never be charged if it does not succeed. A successful claim will lead to a compensation settlement being made to you, with the value of the claim including any lost income and incurred costs as well as a settlement for the injuries and medical treatment that you have sustained.
Your solicitor will also look to help you to recover more quickly by obtaining rehabilitation therapy at the expense of the 3rd party (your employer’s insurers). This could also include private specialist treatments to reduce the appearance of a scar, or help with health issues caused by damage to the skin.
How much is a burn claim worth?
All claims are comprised of general and special damages. General damages apply to the injury itself and the suffering you experience. This will usually depend on the severity, or classification (first, second or third degree), of your burn. Special damages cover the financial costs you incur as a result of the injury. This would include medical fees, ongoing care, travel expenses and loss of income.
The total amount varies from case to case, but there are guidelines issued to solicitors by the courts. A first degree facial burn could have a value of up to £6,000, for example. Whereas a more severe, third degree facial burn could be more than ten times as much. The table below shows amounts for facial disfigurement, obviously burns and scarring to other, less visible parts of the body can attract lesser amounts.
Severity of injury | Compensation amount |
---|---|
Very severe scarring, with permanent disfigurement and psychological effects | £22,625 - £81,400 |
Less severe scarring, where disfigurement is still substantial with a significant psychological reaction | £13,650 - £40,480 |
Significant scarring which remains visible at conversational distances | £6,925 - £25,160 |
Less significant scarring which remains visible on close inspection | £3,000 - £11,500 |
Trivial scarring where the effect is minor | £1,300 - £2,940 |
How we can help you make a successful claim
Direct2Compensation are experts in managing claims for injuries caused in accidents at work. We know your rights and can help you to understand whether the specifics of your accident mean you can hold your employer liable.
It is important to make sure that the details of your workplace accident have been recorded properly within an employer’s accident book and that medical attention is sought for any burns you sustained. If you haven’t done this already, we can help you to do so.
Levels of compensation vary according to the severity of a burn and its long-term impact on the claimant’s life. Therefore, one of the first steps in making a claim is to get a medical assessment of the injury. We can arrange this for you at no cost.
We work with some of the best accident at work solicitors in the UK. With our easy to understand claims process and ability to handle your claim quickly, simply and transparently, there are many reasons that make us the right choice when it comes to starting your claim for injury compensation.
If you have suffered a burn injury at work and want to know if you can make a claim for compensation, contact us today. You can start your claim online or , and one of our expert team will be in touch to offer help. Alternatively, call us on 01225 430285.
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