A split-second mistake can leave a worker with a lifetime of pain. A spilled chemical, an exposed wire, or a flash of open flame — burn injuries happen fast, but their effects last far longer.
For many workers, a burn injury at work means more than just a trip to the hospital. These injuries can cause permanent scarring, nerve damage, and mobility loss, and in some cases, force employees out of their jobs entirely. Research from the National Library of Medicine shows that 28% of burn injury survivors never return to their previous jobs, while those who do often experience long-term physical and psychological challenges.
That same research reveals that severe burns often require months or years of painful treatment and rehabilitation. Work-related fires alone cause an estimated 5,000 burns per year in the U.S., and injuries involving electrical burns, scalds, and chemical exposure are just as common in construction, manufacturing, and food service industries.
When an injury threatens your ability to work and live comfortably, appropriate compensation is a necessity. At Manning Herington Accident & Injury Lawyers, our Aurora car accident lawyer and burn injury attorneys fight for injured workers to recover medical costs, lost wages, and long-term care. Let’s discuss your rights and potential compensation.
Common Causes and Types of Workplace Burn Injuries
Burn injuries on the job happen fast, but the effects might last a lifetime. Whether it’s a sudden fire, a chemical spill, or an electrical shock, burn injuries can leave workers facing painful recovery, medical bills, and lost wages.
Some industries — construction, manufacturing, food service, and chemical plants — see more burned skin injuries than others. But no matter the job, when an employer fails to follow safety regulations, the risk of serious, life-changing burns increases.
And when that happens, workers deserve compensation for the damage done.
Thermal Burns
These are the burns most people think of — fire, scalding liquids, hot surfaces, and steam. Second-degree burns are also called partial thickness burns, affecting both the epidermis and the dermis. A restaurant worker grabs a pan that’s fresh out of the oven. A welder gets too close to an open flame. A factory worker brushes against a piece of overheated equipment.
These burns can happen in seconds but may take months to heal.
Chemical Burns
Not all burns come from heat. Acids, solvents, and industrial chemicals can eat through skin on contact, sometimes resulting in a major burn that requires immediate medical intervention. Cleaning crews, factory workers, and lab technicians are at the highest risk.
Without the right protective gear, exposure can cause deep tissue damage that keeps burning long after the initial contact.
Electrical Burns
One exposed wire is all it takes. Electrical burns often happen to construction workers, utility crews, and factory employees who come into contact with faulty wiring or high-voltage equipment.
These burns aren’t just skin deep. They can cause severe burn injuries that damage muscles, nerves, and even the heart.
Radiation Burns
Workers in healthcare, industrial labs, and nuclear facilities face radiation exposure from X-rays, UV light, or industrial radiation sources.
Radiation burns can be more severe than superficial burns, which only affect the epidermis and usually heal without scarring. While these burns aren’t as common, they can be severe and long-lasting, leading to chronic skin damage or even cancer.
Degrees of Burn Injury
Burn injuries are classified into four degrees based on their severity:
First-Degree Burns
These burns affect only the outer layer of skin and are typically minor. They may cause redness, swelling, and pain, but they usually heal on their own within a few days.
An example would be a mild sunburn that causes temporary discomfort but leaves no lasting damage.
Second-Degree Burns
Also known as partial thickness burns, these injuries affect both the outer and inner layers of skin. They can cause blisters, redness, and swelling, and may take several weeks to heal.
Burn blisters from scalding hot liquids are a common example of second-degree burns.
Third-Degree Burns
These burns, also called full-thickness burns, affect all layers of skin and underlying tissues. They can cause charring, eschar, and scarring, often requiring surgical intervention.
Third-degree burns are severe and can result from prolonged exposure to flames or high-voltage electrical burns.
Fourth-Degree Burns
The most severe type of burn injury, fourth-degree burns affect the skin and underlying tissues such as muscle and bone. These burns are life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
They often result from extreme heat or prolonged contact with a hot surface.
Your Legal Rights After a Workplace Burn Injury
You have the right to compensation if you suffer a burn injury at work. Workers’ compensation should cover medical bills, lost wages, and rehab costs, but getting the benefits you deserve isn’t always straightforward.
Employers and insurers may delay payments, deny claims, or push low settlements. Knowing your legal options can make all the difference.
Workers’ Compensation vs. Third-Party Lawsuits
Most injured workers rely on workers’ compensation, which pays for medical care and part of their lost income — but it doesn’t allow lawsuits against the employer. Even a minor burn can be grounds for a compensation claim if it affects the worker’s ability to perform their job. That’s where third-party claims come in.
You may be able to sue if:
- Defective equipment (like faulty wiring or broken machinery) caused your injury.
- A subcontractor or outside company’s negligence played a role.
- A chemical manufacturer failed to warn about hazards.
A workplace burn injury attorney can review your case and help determine whether you have a third-party claim beyond workers’ comp.
Employer Responsibilities Under OSHA
Employers are required by law to keep workplaces safe. OSHA regulations state that they must:
- Provide protective gear like gloves and fire-resistant clothing.
- Train workers on handling chemicals and high-heat equipment safely to prevent major burns.
- Maintain electrical and fire safety standards.
If an employer ignores these safety rules, a burn injury lawyer can help you hold them accountable. After a workplace burn, timing is everything. Report the injury as soon as possible, even if it seems minor.
Compensation for Workplace Burn Injuries
A burn injury at work can have lasting consequences, affecting your health and your ability to earn a living. Even minor burns can result in significant medical expenses and lost wages. Medical treatments for burned skin can be expensive, recovery may take months or years, and in some cases, burns leave permanent damage.
Compensation exists to help injured workers recover financially, but getting the full amount you deserve requires understanding what damages can be claimed.
Medical Care
The cost of medical care alone can be overwhelming. Severe burns often require hospitalization, skin grafts, reconstructive surgery, and months of physical therapy. Even with insurance, out-of-pocket costs add up quickly.
Lost Wages
Many burn victims are unable to return to work right away, and some never regain their full ability to perform their job. If an injury results in a disability, workers’ compensation may cover a portion of lost income, but it rarely reflects the true financial impact.
Pain and Suffering
Beyond medical bills and lost wages, the pain of a burn injury extends far beyond the physical damage. Many victims suffer emotional trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. Burns can also lead to permanent scarring, which affects confidence and quality of life.
While financial compensation cannot erase the pain, it can help cover counseling, rehabilitation, and other long-term recovery needs.
How a Burn Injury Lawyer Can Help Your Case
Getting fair compensation after a workplace burn injury, especially in cases of a major burn, is rarely easy. Employers and insurers may delay payments, deny claims, or offer settlements that don’t come close to covering long-term costs.
A burn injury lawyer takes on these challenges by investigating the accident, negotiating with insurers, and filing lawsuits when necessary.
Investigating Workplace Conditions and Identifying Liability
The first step in any claim is figuring out who is responsible. In cases involving major burns, a burn injury lawyer looks at safety records, training procedures, and OSHA violations to determine whether faulty equipment, poor safety protocols, or employer negligence played a role.
If corners were cut on workplace safety, that evidence can strengthen a claim.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Insurers often push quick settlements that don’t reflect the full recovery cost. A workplace burn injuries attorney pushes back, calculating not just current medical bills and lost wages for burn survivors.
They help factor in long-term care, rehabilitation, and any permanent damage that affects future earnings and quality of life.
Filing Lawsuits Against Negligent Third Parties
A burn injury attorney can file a third-party lawsuit if a defective product, unsafe working conditions, or a subcontractor’s actions contribute to a severe burn injury.
Unlike workers’ comp, this kind of claim allows for full lost wages, pain and suffering, and additional compensation for long-term medical needs.
Representing Clients in Hearings and Lawsuits
When an insurance company denies a claim or refuses to pay what’s owed, legal action may be the only way forward. A burn injury lawyer represents injured workers in workers’ compensation hearings, settlement negotiations, and civil lawsuits to fight for the compensation they need to recover.
Workers’ comp and insurance companies don’t make things easy, but having an attorney in your corner means you won’t be left handling these challenges alone.
Your Recovery Is More Than a Paycheck, It’s Your Future
The fallout of a workplace burn injury isn’t just about the pain or the hospital bills. For burn survivors, it’s about what happens next. Can you return to work? Will the scars — physical or emotional — affect your confidence, your livelihood, your everyday life? These injuries change the course of a person’s future.
That’s why compensation isn’t just about covering immediate medical costs. It’s about making sure you have what you need to rebuild and move forward. Insurance companies want to settle fast and cheap. Employers want to minimize liability.
But your recovery isn’t their priority — you have to make it yours.
Don’t fight this battle alone. If you or a loved one suffered a burn injury at work, don’t wait to get the help you need.
