Managing Partner
There are many types of job-related injuries, a common one being burns. From offices to construction sites, the number of ways in which an employee can get burned may be surprising. Knowing these workplace accidents can help you get the medical assistance you need.
It may also help with your claim for monetary compensation. If you were burned on the job in Long Island and would like to better understand your legal rights and options, talk to the personal injury attorneys of Dell & Dean PLLC. We can schedule your consultation today.
Thermal Burns
A thermal burn is damage to the skin caused by excessive heat, and the source of that heat varies. In the workplace, burns can occur due to contact with hot water, steam, open flames, hot surfaces, and more. Working in a kitchen risks being splashed with boiling water, while factory workers could get exposed to overheated machinery.
Depending on the workplace, the employee may need to wear equipment like gloves or masks to prevent hot substances from contacting their skin. They should also follow all established safety protocols to prevent an accident.
Chemical Burns
Acids and alkalis are two chemical substances that employees can encounter in certain jobs. For instance, an industrial worker, laboratory technician, or a janitor may handle chemicals and harsh cleansers as part of their work. Clear labeling of these substances, along with basic safety protocols and equipment, are critical to avoiding a burn.
Electrical Burns
Any sort of occupation in Long Island that regularly exposes the worker to live wiring and electrical currents – such as construction, manufacturing, and utilities work – will run the risk of electrical burns. Workers should avoid touching live wires (including with ladders), follow safety rules, and make sure equipment is not defective before they use it.
But an electrical burn can also happen if the grounding is improper and there is excessive voltage. This is a risk in any work environment, including offices.
Friction Burns
If you regularly use heavy machinery or equipment, then there is always the possibility of suffering a friction burn. It happens when an abrasive surface like a conveyor belt or grinding wheel comes into contact with the skin. Although many burns are superficial, they can go deeper.
As with other burns, most of these accidents are preventable. Regular inspection of machinery, the use of safety equipment, and following protocols are the top three ways to avoid friction burns.
Who Is Liable For Workplace Burns?
Employees in Long Island have the right to file a workers’ compensation claim if they sustain a burn injury on the job. However, depending on the circumstances, the victim may also be able to pursue a separate, third-party claim against others who were negligent. Some examples include:
- Subcontractors: If you work on a construction site or some other position with subcontractors, these parties may act negligently and cause a burn accident. A subcontracted electrician, for example, could leave exposed wiring that causes an electrical burn.
- Property owners and managers: You may perform work at a location that your employer does not own. The property owner or manager may have allowed inadequate electrical grounding or some other hazard that causes a burn.
- Defective product manufacturers and others: Perhaps your burn was the result of a defect with the equipment or machinery you use in your work. If so, you have the right to pursue a third-party claim against the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer of the product in question.
- Automobile and truck drivers: A workplace burn accident can happen anywhere, including while traveling in Long Island. A negligent motorist could crash into you and cause an array of injuries. You could then hold the automobile or truck driver responsible.
Fighting For the Compensation You Deserve
Nobody should go to work worrying about suffering a burn injury. But if this has happened, you will have medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, among other losses. How do you hold the at-fault parties liable for your injuries?
You work with a knowledgeable Long Island personal injury firm that is ready to fight for you. Connect today with Dell & Dean PLLC to begin your claim.
