Burn At Work Compensation – Can You Make An Injury Claim?

By Ian Morris | Updated September 7th, 2023

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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.

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.

117 questions have been answered on this subject - ask us your question

Comments & Questions

Read on for questions and advice about claiming, plus burn injury claim examples...

My line manager purchased a rubber sleeve to fit over the pan handle when cooking, this slipped off and the contents of the pan burnt my foot. The company was not aware that the line manager had brought the rubber sleeve into the workplace, all staff at the site knew that the rubber sleeve could slip and slide so who is responsible ?

The line manager has clearly made a decision off their own bat and apparently caused a risk of injury to you. In this case, the employer carries an overall responsibility and any claim would be made against them. This is something we would be happy to help you pursue. Please use the ‘start a claim’ page of our website to make further contact with us and we’ll look in to this matter for you.

What if manager train you the wrong way and you get hurt? Because she told me to pick up the Fried Chicken Basket, she said it was hot, got third-degree Burns, don’t know what to do next – workers compensation accepted my claim.

If you are injured in an accident at work because you have been given training that is incorrect and caused you to suffer injury, you can pursue a claim for compensation against the employer.

Hi I had an accident at work where I sustained burns and was off work for a while. Problem is the business is closing down now, can I still pursue a claim?

Yes, you can still pursue a claim and even if the business is already closed the possibility of claiming remains open to you. The employer would have insurance in place that would cover the period of time where you worked for the employer. Ideally, you should start your claim at the earliest opportunity.

Hi, I have recently fallen at work up some steps with a bucket of instant boiling water which resulted in me suffering 1st degree burns on my left and right hands and left wrist. I’ve been to hospital 3 times to have it dressed and had to have a course of antibiotics and a tetanus injection. I returned to work 4 days later for my night shift as I could not afford time off work, but after doing a shift my hand became worse and more sore and so I have decided to stay off work. Obviously this is going to have an effect on me financially and I’ve been told I can not claim due to my own fault of carrying a shallow bucket with hot water up some steps rather than using a mob bucket which is deeper, I’m not sure what to believe and I could do with some advice.

Did your employer provide you with training and guidance with regards to the handling of hot water? Were you instructed or required by a supervisor to move the hot water?

You could have a claim here and although there maybe some contributory negligence with regards to the handling of the water in the shallow bucket, you could still succeed. What was it that caused you to fall on the steps?

I burnt myself at work (2nd degree burn.) The manager on shift’s first aid certificate ran out so he didn’t record it in the accident book.
The next day a more senior manager redressed my burn and we had an informal discussion about what duties I could still carry out as I work in a kitchen so was wary of anything too hot/wet or dirty.
Another manager asked me to do one of the jobs that I had been told not to do, and we argued about it.
I am now suspended and facing dismissal for gross insubordination. This doesn’t seem right considering I only refused to save myself further Injury/infection.
What are my rights here?

Under UK law it will depend on what your Doctor has stated as being appropriate work or anything you must avoid. Essentially, if you have been deemed first to work, your employer is able to instruct you to perform any duty that you are able to do – but under UK law, an employer cannot cause you to worsen an injury or risk your health and you have rights to prevent this.

Can i claim if i burned my foot with the boiled water from the steamer at work? I’ve been told by the supervisor to go and drain the excess in the toilet as it was too much water in it and that’s where the incident happened.

If the incident has been recorded in the employers accident book and medical treatment has been obtained for the burn, then yes, you could make a claim.

If you would like to discuss this further, please call us on 01225430285.

Hi I was injured at work I burned myself with hot liquid after taking a tray of hot food out of the oven that slipped of a shelf and burnt my arm. I reported it in the accident book and gave myself first aid on the spot. I didn’t take time off work or see a Doctor but I now have scars.

I should add that we have also reported problems with the work place that haven’t been made right for months so it seems like my employer who is the local council are being negligent towards our health and safety.

We would like to speak to you regarding your injury at work as there could well be a claim to pursue here. Although you have not attended the GP, the accident book report will provide useful evidence to support any claim that could be made.

We need to know more about the accident that lead to your burn injury so that we can ascertain whether or not you have a valid claim, so we would recommend further contact with us.

I got burnt whilst working as an agency chef, from my chin to my groin 20% of my body. I slipped on grease on the kItchen floor in the clean up area. I was carrying 10 litres of boiling water. I did not have safety shoes on it the manager was aware of this as I was waiting to get paid to get mine. I am off work I am in pain and I am a mess emotionally and physically. Whilst waiting for paramedics they got me to sign the accident book stating it was my fault as well, I feel I was in shock at this time.

We would like to discuss this further with you and believe that it is worthwhile pursuing a claim against your employer in this matter.

I was scalded in the face and suffered whiplash when a tap at work exploded boiling in my face, this tap had no caution hot water signs above it and was never or very rarely checked for faults, could my employer be at fault here?

Our initial view is that you have a valid claim for workplace injury compensation here and we would be happy to pursue this further for you. If the employer cannot demonstrate that they have an adequate maintenance and inspection regime in place regarding the plumbing within the workplace, they could struggle to defend any claim.

I was severely burned with boiled kettle water in a work accident almost 3 years ago, I have tried to claim three times and each time they have closed my file due to lack of witness. My final claim has just been closed also because they have found my witness but she has said that she does not want to be involved in any way. I would like justice because this has caused me to be depressed and has made me loose all confidence, it has caused me visible damage for life up my leg and I’ve had to go through surgeries of skin grafting etc.. please advice me, what can I do?

What an awful situation, burn injuries, including scalding are extremely painful and distressing injuries and we can appreciate why you want justice.

The situation you describe is a clear indication as to why it is so important that a claim is supported by evidence if the claimant is to have a good prospect of succeeding. If your claim has failed on 3 occasions, it is extremely unlikely that anyone is going to be able to succeed for you unless new and substantial supportive evidence becomes available. In your case, this sounds unlikely.

Of course, if your witness were willing to provide a supportive statement and assist you in the claims process that would give you a far better chance of winning your claim. Is there any way you can speak with the potential witness to see if you can get them on board? The other issue you have is the pressing proximity of your 3-year claim limitation. Any action MUST be taken before that 3-year period expires.

Hi, i recently got a facial burn at work whilst making gravy. I was covering the chef while they were on a break and we were really busy and short staffed.

We currently have no manager so i have been trying to cover both my own role as well as the manager role.

I was taken to a&e because we had no burn gel on site. I was treated for 2nd degree burns to my face. I was phoned by my boss to return to work the next day as they were struggling without me. I felt pressured to go in even though medical advice told me not to.

When i have looked at my training records when filling in the incident form at work i noticed i have not been signed off for anything.

My boss is coming tomorrow to look at it. What would your advice be?

I am worried because we have no manager i’m not sure what i should do.

If you have not been given the right training to work in the kitchen, the cause of your injury is a result of employer negligence and as such, you could well have a valid claim for accident at work compensation.

Regarding returning to work, you really MUST follow medical advice and not allow your concerns about your employer to cloud your judgement as to when to return to work. When speaking with your employer, you needn’t make any mention of any potential action you could take as a result of the injury and should simply talk about the lack of sufficient staff and any lack of training provision.

We would be happy to further investigate a possible claim for you as a result of this accident at work. If you would like to take this further, please contact us. We’ll then present a claim enquiry to our specialist burn injury at work Solicitors who can then discuss your claim with you in detail.

I’ve got injured at work. I was wearing the correct PPE due to that we didn’t have fire Jacket and the employer said they still on order and the face shield got broken while I was busy trying to light a boiler. So as a result of my injury. I’ve got burnt on my face and both arms. Is it my fault or employers fault?

If the employer has provided you with all of the relevant personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure that you are fully trained and qualified to perform your duties, it will be hard to succeed with a claim against them.

However, if the employer has in any way been negligent and failed to provide the right training or PPE equipment, then you could succeed with a claim.

It sounds as though you didn’t have the right fire jacket on and if so, you could well be able to claim for the burns to your arms. However, if you damaged the face shield through your own ‘negligence’ there could be an element of contributory negligence that would have to be accepted for the burn to your face.

It would be useful for us to speak with you so that we can get a better understanding of the incident and then give you a more ‘qualified’ view of whether or not you can make a claim.

I have an injury after an incident at work. I got burned to the hands due to faulty electrics. I think that the insurers have denied liability and now await my medical records. I am not sure if my claim is strong enough. I went to A&E for medical help and was given good treatment for my injuries with dressings and medicines. Do you think I can get any compensation and win my claim?

If the electrics at your work were faulty or live circuits were exposed so that you were caused to come in to contact with a live 240 volt circuit, your employer has been negligent and as such, our initial view of this is that you would have a valid claim for accident at work compensation.

In order for us to give a more definitive opinion on the strength of any possible claim, it would help us greatly if you could explain how you came in to contact with the live electricity and how you came to to suffer the burns to your hands.

Aside from this, you must ensure that the details of your accident have been properly reported and recorded with your employer. You may also wish to consider whether or not the details of your accident at work require a RIDDOR report.

Good evening,
5 weeks ago I had an accident at work. I work in a kitchen and I was doing the washing up like every afternoon. Next to the sink sits a fryer on top of a counter. Somehow the base of the fryer caught in one of my colleagues back pocket and when he moved the hot oil fell on me. I burned my right arm, side, buttock and thigh down to my knee.
I got some more superficial burns and some deeper ones, one of which is still healing.

Can you give me some good advice?
Thanks a lot.

It is understandable that you didn’t want to have to go down the route of claiming compensation from your employer for the injuries you have sustained. No worker wants to have to take action against an employer.

However, given what you have said, I think you have both a viable and more importantly a very just claim for compensation. I appreciate that you may have concerns about making a claim and how the whole process works. I think it would be a good idea for us to have a chat on the telephone so that I can give you a proper opinion and then answer any queries or worries you may have.

Hi i had an accident at work a few weeks ago where i burned my arm in a 100° alkalyne decarbonizer that i was not trained or signed off on, and my employer wrote out a back to work form. He said if i claim he will sack me on the spot , are there any way that a back to work form states that the accident was my fault ? I have now made a claim and lost my job.

Robert

Thank you for taking the time to inform us of your situation and ask for some advice about your recent accident at work. It certainly sounds like your former employer has behaved in an underhanded manner and failed to offer you any kind of fairness or adequate support. Furthermore, if they have sacked you for making a claim then that is illegal. I am pleased that you have already started a claim – it sounds like you have a very strong claim (which is probably why your former employer has treated you so badly).

I would not really be able to comment on the back to work form regarding who is at fault as I would need to see the form to offer any sensible advice. However, the form should be available to you to view and therefore you should seek a copy of the form at the earliest opportunity and check it to ensure that it is an honest representation of what happened, what was said and that you agree with the contents.

Hi ian, thanks for your reply, I got a phone call off my boss saying i signed a waiver stating its my fault, but my boss wrote the whole thing – he said he would sack me if i didn’t sign it, he didn’t let me have a look at it either.