Chemical burns are severe injuries that can occur when the skin comes into contact with corrosive substances such as acids, bases, solvents, or other substances hazardous to health. These burns can result in excruciating pain, long-term physical damage, and psychological trauma for the victims. Chemical burns can happen in various settings, including workplaces, laboratories, manufacturing plants, and even in everyday situations such as cleaning or using household products.

When someone sustains a chemical burn, they may face extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care. In addition to physical suffering, victims often experience emotional distress and financial burdens due to medical expenses and potential loss of income.

In cases where negligence or misconduct led to the chemical burn, victims have the right to seek compensation for their injuries and losses through legal avenues. If you have suffered a chemical burn and are looking to pursue a claim, a professional solicitor from our team at Beacon Law can offer legal advice and guidance.

Common accidents that lead to chemical burn claims

Several common accidents can lead to chemical burn claims, each presenting unique circumstances and potential liabilities. Some of these accidents include:

1. Chemical burns at work: Chemical burns frequently occur in workplaces where employees handle or are exposed to hazardous chemicals. Mishaps such as spills, improper storage, inadequate safety procedures, or defective equipment can lead to chemical exposures resulting in burns. Employers are required to prevent or reduce workers’ exposure to hazardous substances under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).
2. Industrial Accidents: Industries such as manufacturing, construction, and oil and gas extraction involve the control of substances hazardous to health. Accidents in these settings, such as equipment failures, leaks, or explosions, can result in chemical spills or releases, causing severe burns to workers or nearby residents.
3. Product Malfunctions: Defective products, including household cleaners, industrial chemicals, or personal protective equipment (PPE), can cause chemical burns if they malfunction or fail to perform as intended. Product liability claims may arise if inadequate warnings, design flaws, or manufacturing defects contribute to chemical burn injuries.
4. Improper Handling or Storage: Improper handling, storage, or disposal of chemicals can lead to accidents resulting in chemical burns. Failure to follow safety protocols, inadequate training of personnel, or lack of proper containment measures can increase the likelihood of chemical spills or exposures.
5. Assault or Criminal Acts: In some cases, chemical burns may result from intentional acts of violence, such as assaults or attacks using corrosive substances. Victims of such crimes may pursue legal action against the perpetrators for compensation and justice.

Understanding the circumstances surrounding a chemical burn incident is crucial for determining liability and pursuing compensation through legal channels. Whether it was an accident at work, industrial facility, residential setting, or as a result of criminal activity, victims of chemical burns have the right to seek legal recourse for their injuries and losses.

What should I do following a chemical burn?

Following a chemical burn, it is crucial to take immediate steps to ensure your safety, well-being, and legal rights. Here’s a comprehensive guide on what to do:

1. Seek Medical Attention: Priority should be given to your health and safety. Even if the wound seems minor, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly. You should also receive a medical record of your injuries which could be used as evidence.
2. Document the Scene: Take photographs of the location where the accident occurred, as well as your injuries. Visual evidence can be valuable in supporting your claim later on.
3. Gather Witness Information: If there were witnesses to the accident, obtain their contact information. Witness testimonies can provide additional evidence to support your case.
4. Consult with a Legal Professional: Consider consulting with a personal injury solicitor who has experience in chemical burn cases. They can provide guidance on your legal rights, options for pursuing compensation, and represent your interests in negotiations or court proceedings.

What is the chemical burn claim process?

During your initial consultation, our specialist solicitors will provide you with legal advice about burn injury claims and will inform you about the relevant limitation rules.

Our personal injury lawyers will then ask you for details about your accident and the initial injuries that were suffered as a result. This will help our injury lawyers to assess the likelihood of your claim being successful.

During these initial stages of your claim for compensation, it is vital that you gather the relevant evidence to support your claim. Relevant evidence may include CCTV footage of the incident, medical records, photographs of your injuries, and witness statements.

Your personal injury solicitor may also ask that you undergo an official medical examination in order to receive medical reports about the chemical burn injuries that you have sustained. These medical reports will provide vital medical evidence of the nature and extent of your injuries. Even if you have received other medical care prior to starting your chemical burn claim, a more thorough medical assessment may still be needed to produce detailed, accurate, and reliable medical reports.

If we think that your chemical burn claim would be likely to succeed, we will offer a no win, no fee basis; if your claim is unsuccessful, you will not be required to pay any legal fees.

What are the time limits for chemical burn claims?

Before starting your claim for compensation, it is important to note that there are strict time limits on personal injury claims. From the date of the accident that caused the burn injuries, the injured party will have 3 years to commence proceedings for claiming compensation. For criminal assault cases, there is a 2 year time limit.

It must be noted, however, that there are some exceptions to this rule:

For example, if the claimant was under the age of 18 at the time of the incident, they have until their 21^st birthday to make their chemical burn claim. In the meantime, provided that the claimant is still under the age of 18, a litigation friend such as a parent, guardian, or close family member could claim compensation on their behalf.

Another exception to the 3 year time limit occurs when the claimant who has suffered an injury does not have the mental capacity to begin their compensation claim. Rather than being limited to making a claim within 3 years from the date of the incident, the claimant is entitled to begin their compensation claim at any moment in time once they regain the mental capacity to do so.

What amount of compensation could I receive for a chemical burn injury?

The amount of compensation awarded will aim to put the claimant in the position they were in before the accident that resulted chemical burn injuries took place. The amount of compensation awarded will depend on the pain and suffering caused, as well as the severity of these injuries.

General damages that could be awarded will also depend on the impact that the burn injuries have had on the claimant’s daily life, whether any long term care is needed, and whether any structural adaptations need to be made to the claimant’s home in order to assist their new way of living.

Special damages will also be awarded to compensate for any further financial loss that the claimant has suffered as a result of their original injury. This could include compensation for a loss of earnings due to the time spent off work, loss of future earnings if the claimant has been left unable to work, the cost of medical treatment, travel costs, and the cost of ongoing care if this is needed.

We advise that you keep evidence of all financial losses suffered as a result of your injuries. This could include receipts and invoices from medical treatment and evidence of any loss of earnings.

Due to the complex nature of chemical burn injuries, it may be difficult for our personal injury solicitors to provide you with an exact estimation of the amount of compensation you could be awarded. Undergoing a medical assessment will provide a more accurate report on the injuries that have been sustained and will help when calculating the amount of compensation that you could be awarded alongside judicial college guidelines.

How can Beacon Law assist you?

Whilst pursuing a chemical burn claim, Beacon Law can be your source of support and will help you recover the amount of compensation that you deserve. We understand that the process of chemical burn cases can be difficult, so we will be there to guide you every step of the way.

After chemical injuries, we believe that you should have access to the best possible medical care and support available, and we endeavour to provide this to our clients. Due to our association with medical professionals, we are able to provide you with private treatment to assist you in your recovery.

We value each client that we have the pleasure of working with, listen carefully to our clients’ wishes, and will aim to complete your claim in a timely manner so that you can receive the compensation that you deserve as soon as possible. If you have developed a chemical burn injury due to an accident that was not your fault, please get in touch today.