Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are among the most painful and life-altering workplace accidents a worker can face. From construction sites and factories to kitchens and electrical work, employees across industries are at risk. What might begin as a momentary accident, like a splash of hot oil, an electrical arc, or a chemical spill, can quickly lead to severe, long-term damage that affects every aspect of daily life.

At Pond Lehocky, we know that a burn injury isn’t just “an injury.” It’s a traumatic event that may require extensive medical care, months of recovery, and permanent lifestyle adjustments. If you’ve suffered a burn injury on the job, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits to cover medical expenses, wage replacement, rehabilitation, and more.

How Burn Injuries Happen at Work

Workplace burns are unfortunately common, and they can occur in almost any job setting. Some of the most frequent causes include:

• Construction and manufacturing accidents. Sparks, open flames, welding torches, and contact with hot surfaces can all cause severe burns.
• Food service incidents. Hot oil, boiling water, and open grills pose daily risks for kitchen and restaurant workers.
• Electrical work. Electrical arcs, wiring mishaps, or contact with live equipment can result in devastating electrical burns.
• Chemical exposure. Industrial cleaning agents, solvents, and other caustic substances can cause chemical burns if they come into contact with the skin.
• Radiation burns. Workers in healthcare or scientific fields may face burns from radiation exposure in certain environments.

Every workplace carries its own hazards, and when employers fail to provide proper training or protective equipment, the chances of serious injury only increase.

Types of Workplace Burns

Not all burns are the same. Their severity and long-term impact often depend on the type of burn a worker suffers.

• Thermal burns. Thermal burns can be caused by contact with hot objects, liquids, steam, or flames.
• Chemical burns. Chemical burns result from exposure to corrosive substances that damage tissue on contact.
• Electrical burns. An electrical burn occurs when electricity passes through the body, often damaging both skin and internal organs.
• Radiation burns. This type of burn is usually caused by prolonged exposure to UV rays or radiation sources in medical or industrial settings.

Each type of burn can present unique challenges, requiring specialized medical care and documentation for a successful workers’ compensation claim.

Burn Severity and Recovery

Medical professionals classify burns into degrees of severity:

• First-degree burns. First-degree burns are superficial burns that affect only the outer layer of skin. These burns are painful, but often heal without long-term complications.
• Second-degree burns. Second-degree burns affect both the outer and underlying layers of skin, leading to blisters, swelling, and significant pain.
• Third-degree burns. Third-degree burns destroy deeper layers of skin and underlying tissues, often requiring surgery and skin grafts.
• Fourth-degree burns. These are the most severe burns and extend into muscle, tendon, or bone, leading to permanent disability or loss of function.

Severe burns almost always require hospitalization, surgical treatment, and long-term rehabilitation. Even less severe burns can result in scarring and nerve damage that limit mobility and interfere with job performance.

Complications of Burn Injuries

Burn injuries are rarely straightforward. In addition to the initial trauma, workers may experience:

• Infections. Damaged skin leaves the body vulnerable to dangerous infections. It is not uncommon for a burn victim to develop an infection within a burn wound site.
• Chronic pain. Persistent nerve damage or scarring can cause long-term discomfort.
• Restricted mobility. Scarring or skin grafts may limit movement in affected areas.
• Disfigurement. Visible scars or amputations can affect both physical ability and emotional well-being.
• Psychological trauma. The pain, appearance changes, and lifestyle impact of burns often lead to anxiety, depression, or PTSD.

These complications highlight why burn injuries should never be minimized. Their effects can follow a worker for years and sometimes for their entire lives.

Workers’ Compensation for Burn Injuries

If you’ve suffered a burn injury at work, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits are designed to help cover:

• Medical care. Hospitalization, surgery, skin grafts, medications, and ongoing treatment.
• Prosthetics and rehabilitation. For workers who need specialized medical devices or physical therapy.
• Lost wages. Temporary or permanent wage replacement for time missed from work.
• Long-term disability. If the injury prevents a worker from returning to their previous job or any job at all.

Unfortunately, many injured workers face resistance from insurance companies. Insurers may argue that the injury isn’t as severe as claimed, that it wasn’t caused at work, or that the worker is fit to return before they truly are. If you’ve experienced this type of rejection by the insurance company, an experienced burn injury lawyer can help.

Why Legal Help Matters

Burn injuries are complicated, and so are workers’ compensation claims. Success often depends on:

• Properly documenting the severity of the burn.
• Linking the injury directly to the workplace accident.
• Demonstrating the long-term impact on the worker’s ability to earn a living.

At Pond Lehocky, our team has extensive experience handling workplace burn injury cases. We work closely with medical experts to ensure your claim reflects the full extent of your injury. We fight back when insurers try to minimize payouts or deny coverage altogether.

Standing with Burn Injury Victims

We understand that a burn injury is a life-changing event. Whether you are facing months of painful recovery, permanent scarring, or the emotional toll of adapting to a new way of life, Pond Lehocky is here to stand with you.

Our attorneys treat every client with empathy and respect, while bringing the full weight of our legal knowledge to each case. You don’t have to face the insurance company alone. We’ll be your advocates every step of the way.

Contact a Burn Injury Lawyer Today

If you’ve suffered a burn injury at work, you don’t have to carry the burden on your own. Workers’ compensation benefits exist to help you, and we’ll fight to help you get them.

Contact Pond Lehocky today for a free consultation with an experienced burn injury lawyer. Let us help you secure the medical care, wage replacement, and peace of mind you deserve after a workplace burn injury.