Many workers are injured or die as a result of burns that occur on the job. According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), over 5,000 workers are burned at work and hospitalized every year. Not only do workers with burns endure serious pain, but they also suffer long-lasting effects such as scarring, organ dysfunction, respiratory problems, and disfigurement.
Burns in the workplace can be some of the most serious injuries and can occur in a variety of ways, including:
- Electrical burns. When workers suffer electrical burns, it is because high-voltage electricity entered the body. Workers who are vulnerable to this type of injury are typically electricians. Most of the time a visible burn occurs when the electricity exits the body; however, sometimes invisible injuries such as tissue damage beneath the skin may be the result of an electrical accident.
- Chemical burns. When workers suffer chemical burns it is because their skin and/or eyes have come in contact with acids, solvents, oxidizers, and other corrosive substances. However, chemical accidents at work can also be the result of inhalation. When workers suffer this type of injury, they often suffer skin and tissue damage. Typically, workers who suffer from chemical burns are often in manufacturing and maintenance.
- Heat burns. When workers suffer heat burns, they typically have been burned by hot liquids, steam, hot surfaces, or flames. Generally, employees who suffer these types of injuries are those in certain types of industries such as laundry workers, restaurant workers, road workers, and others who work around these conditions. However, explosions and fires can happen at any workplace, and any worker could suffer a heat burn.
The type of burn suffered, the part of the body injured, and the amount of tissue damaged will determine the severity of the burn. While all burns are serious injuries and produce skin damage, some burn injuries can result in serious infections, internal injuries, heart problems, and other long-term effects.
If you have suffered any type of burn injury at work, you need to get properly compensated. This is important because you may be out of work for some time and require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation. In order to find out if you are entitled to workers’ comp benefits in Florida, you should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. For more information, contact the Law Offices of David Benenfeld at 866-9 HELP NOW or(954) 677-0155(954) 677-0155 for a free consultation with a South Florida workers’ comp attorney today.
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