Can I Claim for a Burn Injury at Work?
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, all employers in the UK have a non-delegable duty to ensure the safety of their staff. When this duty is breached - for instance, through a failure to comply with the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 - the employer may be liable for the resulting injuries.
Whether you were provided with inadequate heat-resistant clothing leading to a thermal injury, exposed to faulty wiring causing an electrical shock, or if COSHH-compliant storage was ignored, leading to a chemical burn at work claim, you likely have strong grounds for legal action.
Serious Injury
How Do Burn Injuries Occur at Work?
Workplace burns typically occur due to contact with extreme heat, live electricity, or corrosive substances. These accidents often stem from a lack of safety training, faulty machinery, or the absence of correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Understanding the cause of your injury is essential for a successful burn injury at work claim. Most workplace burns fall into one of three categories.
Thermal Burns
These are the most common and occur when the skin hits hot surfaces, open flames, or scalding liquids (steam or hot oil). In industrial kitchens or manufacturing plants, a failure to provide heat-resistant clothing is a primary breach.
Chemical Burns
Caused by contact with strong acids, alkalis, or solvents. A chemical burn at work claim often arises when hazardous substances are not stored in COSHH-compliant areas or when workers are not provided with specialised gloves and eye protection.
Electrical Burns
These occur when a worker comes into contact with a live current. This often happens due to poorly maintained machinery, exposed wiring, or a failure to lock out power during maintenance properly.
What Can Burn Compensation Help To Cover?
Burn compensation is designed to ensure you are not left out of pocket due to your injury. It covers general damages for your physical pain and special damages for your financial losses, including lost wages and medical expenses to support your recovery.
How to Make a Burn Claim
The process of securing a burn injury at work compensation settlement relies on clear evidence and a professional assessment of your employer's negligence. Whether your injury was a result of faulty electrical wiring or a chemical burn at work, following these steps will help build a robust case for your solicitor:
- Seek Medical Care: Your health is the priority. Medical records serve as primary evidence for your burn injury claim, detailing the depth and surface area of the burn.
- Report the Incident: Ensure the accident is recorded in your employer's accident book. Serious injuries must also be reported to the HSE under RIDDOR regulations.
- Preserve Evidence: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, the faulty equipment, and your injuries. Collect contact details of any colleagues who witnessed the burn accident at work.
- Legal Consultation: Contact your legal consultant.
At Cordell & Co, we will review your evidence, assess liability under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, and handle all negotiations with the insurers.
How Long Does a Burn Claim Take?
Most straightforward burn injury claims are settled within 9 to 18 months. However, severe cases involving complex medical treatments or disputes over liability can take two years or longer to ensure all future needs are accurately costed.
If liability is admitted by your employer's insurer but the medical recovery is ongoing, we can often secure interim payments. These are early releases of compensation to cover your immediate rent, bills, and private medical costs while the final settlement is being negotiated.
How Long Do I Have to Make a Burn Claim?
In England and Wales, the standard time limit to start a burn injury at work claim is three years from the date of the accident. If you do not initiate legal proceedings within this window, your claim may be statute-barred, meaning you lose your right to compensation.
Take the First Step Toward Your Recovery Today
Suffering a burn accident at work is life-altering, but you do not have to navigate the legal aftermath alone. Whether you’re dealing with the physical pain of 2nd degree burns or the financial strain of being unable to work, the expert team at Cordell & Co is here to secure the justice and burn compensation you deserve. Contact us today.
How We Can Help
Our committed team of specialists will guide you through every step of the process providing you with honest advice and realistic outcomes to expect on your case. Our team are experts in personal injury and we have been helping people for 30 years. We have a proven track record in obtaining excellent results for our clients.
We also understand the mental, financial and physical difficulty you may be suffering with and will do our utmost to support you throughout the case.
