Burned at Work Claim: No Win, No Fee

Workplace safety is a significant concern for both employers and employees, yet accidents can still occur, leading to severe consequences like burn injuries. These injuries can range from minor to life-threatening, often resulting in long-term physical and psychological impacts.

If you’ve suffered a burn injury at work, understanding your rights and the process of making a claim is crucial. Our team of personal injury solicitors can assist you with filing a burn injury claim, ensuring that you receive the compensation and support necessary for your recovery and well-being. Whether caused by chemical exposure, electrical faults, or thermal sources, our team can help you obtain the compensation you deserve.

Common accidents that lead to burns at work

Burn injuries at work can result from various types of accidents, often depending on the industry and nature of the job. Here are some common causes:

1. Thermal Burns: Caused by direct contact with hot surfaces, flames, or hot liquids. Workers in kitchens and construction sites are particularly at risk.
2. Chemical Burns: Occur when skin or eyes come into contact with harsh chemicals such as acids, solvents, or alkalis. These are common in laboratories, manufacturing plants, and cleaning industries.
3. Electrical Burns: Result from exposure to electrical currents, either through direct contact with live wires or faulty electrical equipment. Electricians, maintenance workers, and those in construction are most vulnerable.
4. Radiation Burns: Caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, X-rays, or other forms of radiation. Workers in medical facilities, tanning salons, and nuclear plants might encounter this risk.
5. Friction Burns: This happens when skin is rubbed against a rough surface, generating heat and causing damage. This can occur in environments where machinery or conveyor belts are in use.
6. Scalds: Result from hot liquids or steam, commonly occurring in kitchens, factories, and cleaning jobs where hot water or steam is used.

Types of burn injuries

Burn injuries are categorised based on their severity and the depth of skin damage. Understanding these types can aid in proper treatment and recovery. Here are the different types of burn injuries:

First-Degree Burns: These are superficial burns affecting only the outer layer of the skin (epidermis). Symptoms include redness, minor inflammation, and pain. They typically heal within a week without scarring.

Second-Degree Burns: These burns extend beyond the epidermis into the second layer of skin (dermis). They are further divided into:

• Superficial Partial-Thickness Burns: Affect the outer part of the dermis, causing redness, blisters, swelling, and severe pain. Healing usually occurs within 2-3 weeks with minimal scarring.
• Deep Partial-Thickness Burns: Reach deeper into the dermis, causing red or white splotchy skin, severe pain, and potential scarring. Healing can take more than three weeks and might require medical intervention.

Third-Degree Burns: These are full-thickness burns that destroy both the epidermis and dermis and may affect underlying tissues. The skin may appear white, charred, or leathery. These burns are often painless due to nerve damage. Healing requires extensive medical treatment, including potential skin grafts and rehabilitation.

Fourth-Degree Burns: These burns extend through the skin and underlying tissues into muscles, bones, and tendons. The affected area may look blackened or charred, and there is a complete loss of sensation due to nerve destruction. These burns require immediate medical attention and often result in permanent scarring, long-term disability or deformity.

What are your employer’s responsibilities?

Employers have a legal and ethical responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, particularly in preventing burn injuries at the workplace. One of the primary responsibilities is to provide comprehensive training and education to all employees. This includes teaching them about safety protocols, the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and how to handle hazardous materials safely. Additionally, employees should be educated about the specific risks associated with their job roles and how to mitigate these risks effectively.

Implementing safety measures is another crucial responsibility for employers. This involves installing and maintaining safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, fire blankets, and first aid kits. It is essential that machinery, electrical equipment, and chemical containers are properly maintained and regularly inspected to identify and rectify potential hazards.

Employers must also enforce the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Providing appropriate PPE such as gloves, face shields, aprons, and safety goggles is essential, but it is equally important to ensure that employees use this equipment correctly and consistently.

Maintaining a safe work environment is a continuous process that requires employers to implement and enforce safety protocols, including proper signage and labelling of hazardous materials. Work areas should be kept clean, well-organised, and free from unnecessary risks, with proper ventilation in areas where chemicals or high heat are used.

Regular risk assessments are vital to identify potential hazards and take appropriate actions to mitigate them. Employers should review and update safety procedures in response to new risks or changes in the workplace to ensure ongoing safety.

Emergency preparedness is another critical aspect of workplace safety. Employers should develop and communicate an emergency response plan that includes procedures for evacuations, fire drills, and first aid in case of burns. Employees should be well-informed about how to respond to burn injuries and where to find first-aid resources.

Encouraging employees to report any safety concerns or incidents promptly and maintaining accurate records of all accidents, injuries, and near-misses is essential for identifying patterns and implementing preventive measures. This proactive approach helps create a safer work environment.

Your right to make a claim

Many people understandably hesitate to file a claim against their employer. However, employers are required to have insurance that covers personal injury claims, and they cannot legally terminate your employment or discriminate against you for making a claim. With proper insurance, employers do not face financial losses from these claims.

Most injuries, including burns, are preventable if employers address potential hazards. If your employer fails to adhere to safety procedures, you have the right to file a burned at work injury claim. Our experienced personal injury solicitors can offer free legal advice and help assess your potential compensation. Your employer has not fulfilled their duty of care if they are:

• Not carrying out appropriate risk assessments
• Not providing sufficient personal protective equipment
• Not maintaining equipment and machinery efficiently
• Not enforcing health and safety regulations
• Not training employees appropriately on how to use machinery or chemicals and carry out practices safely
• Not ensuring the workplace is free of hazards
• Not displaying appropriate hazard warning signs

How much compensation could you receive?

The level of compensation you could receive for a burn injury at work depends on various factors, including the severity of the burn, the impact on your quality of life, medical expenses, and any loss of earnings. Compensation is split into general damages for your injury and special damages for your additional losses.

Without knowing the details and specifics of your accident, it is difficult to determine how much an injury is worth. In most cases, you will be required to attend an appointment with a medical expert who will document the extent of your injuries in copies of your medical records and recommend further treatment, if required. We will be unable to provide an exact figure for your injuries without the report from the medical expert.

Each case is unique, so the exact compensation amount will depend on the specifics of your situation. Our personal injury solicitors can provide a more accurate assessment based on your circumstances and help you understand the claim process effectively.

Time limits to making a burned at work claim

The time limit for making a burn injury compensation claim is generally three years from the date of the injury. This period is known as the “limitation period.” If you do not file your claim within this timeframe, you may lose the right to seek compensation.

There are some exceptions to this general rule:

1. Date of Knowledge: If you were not immediately aware that your injury was caused by your work, the three-year period might start from the date you became aware of the injury’s connection to your employment. This is often referred to as the “date of knowledge.”
2. Minors: If the injured person is under 18 years old at the date of the accident, the three-year limitation period begins on their 18th birthday. They have until their 21st birthday to file a claim.
3. Mental Capacity: If the injured person lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, the three-year limitation period does not begin until (if ever) they regain capacity.
4. Fatal Injuries: If the injury results in death, the 3-year time limit for the dependents or estate to make a claim starts from the date of death or the date they became aware that the death was linked to the injury, whichever is later.

It’s crucial to seek legal advice as soon as possible to ensure you do not miss the deadline for filing your claim. Consulting with a personal injury solicitor can help you understand the specific time limits applicable to your case and guide you through the claim process.

Why choose Beacon Law?

Beacon Law is a nationwide Personal Injury law firm with a great reputation for providing exceptional service to all clients. Our specialist solicitors and legal professionals have vast experience in handling all types of no win no fee claims and have experience in dealing with burn injury claims as the result of many different scenarios in the workplace.

We offer our assistance on a no win, no fee basis which means that if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be required to pay our fees. If your claim is successful, our fees will be deducted from your compensation at the conclusion of your case.

We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and can provide you with the legal advice you require as your personal injury lawyer. We will provide assistance throughout your case and act only within your instructions when progressing the matter.

If you require our assistance or wish to discuss your case based on its own facts, please complete the online contact form on our website, and a specialist Solicitor will contact you. Alternatively, please call us on 0330 1332 857 to discuss your potential case.