What Are the Long-Term Consequences of a Workplace Burn Injury?

 Posted on February 12, 2021 in Workers' Compensation

Certain occupations may involve more risk than others. For example, police officers and firefighters can face dangers on a daily basis due to the nature of their work, whether it be a combative criminal suspect or a three-alarm blaze in a high-rise building. However, employees in other jobs can also be exposed to hazardous substances or explosions that can directly impact their health and safety. Exposure to toxic chemicals or electrical currents can cause a worker to be burned. In some cases, a burn injury can be life-threatening depending on the severity of it. Besides the physical effects, these types of injuries can also cause emotional scars. The majority of Illinois employers are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance in the event employees are injured at work. It is important to understand your legal options for pursuing damages if you are hurt in a work accident.

Damage Can Go Beyond Skin Deep

Significant burns can affect a person’s quality of life if they are not properly treated. Any burn victim should seek medical assistance immediately to avoid the risk of infection. Burnt areas may be removed through surgery and replaced with skin grafts from other areas of the body to aid in the healing process until new skin can grow or regenerate. Burn victims typically face a long and difficult recovery period, particularly with third- and fourth-degree burns (partial and full thickness). They may have to spend weeks or months in the hospital depending on the degree of the burn, the percentage of the body that is burned, and whether the lungs were damaged from inhaling smoke or harmful chemicals.

A few of the long-term effects of a burn injury can include but are not limited to the following:

• Scarring/disfigurement
• Nerve damage/muscle weakness
• Thermoregulation problems
• Itching
• Pain
• Amputation
• Insomnia
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Experiencing a burn injury can be traumatizing, both physically and mentally. Victims may need assistance to perform daily activities, and may even be confined to a wheelchair. Medical expenses for surgeries, physical therapy, and more can quickly add up. In many cases, they are unable to work, which can cause undue financial hardship, especially if he or she is the head of the household. That is why it is important to pursue compensation through a workers’ compensation claim with the help of an attorney who is well-versed in this area of law.

Contact a DuPage County Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

As an Illinois employee, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation if you are injured on the job. If you were burned in a work-related accident, the long-term effects can be debilitating, leading to lost income, expensive medical bills, and emotional suffering. A diligent Wheaton workplace injury attorney can help you navigate the legal process of filing a claim. At The Law Offices of David W. Clark, P.C., we have over 20 years of experience in securing compensation for employees in all different kinds of fields. To arrange a free consultation, call us today at 630-665-5678.

Sources:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5336608/#:~:text=Major%20burns%20may%20have%20long,body%20image%20and%20psychosocial%20wellbeing.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2430

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=082003050K8