Claim for a burn or scald at work

Each year many thousands of people sustain injuries through an accident at work, despite the tightening of UK health and safety regulations. Recent research has revealed that 21% of workplace injuries were found to be burns or scalds.

Common causes

When you think of a burn injury, you probably think of those caused by hot water or hot oil. Heat is probably the most common cause of burns, affecting employees in a number of industries. Those most vulnerable to workplace burns caused by heat are chefs and other kitchen staff, who have to handle very hot liquids in the course of their day-to-day work, often with little protection. However, burns can also be caused in other ways, including:

• Chemical burns - this type of burn are often made by people who have worked with caustics, alkalis, acids, oils and corrosives as well as other substances outlined in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. Chemical burns are very common as the use of hazardous substances in certain workplaces is as widespread as it is necessary within many industries.
• Electrical burns - there is a potential risk of electrical burns in virtually every working environment. Those particularly at risk are workers in industrial, factory, construction, electrical and service supply occupations. Sometimes there are complicating factors in the detection of this type of burn injury. Electrical burns can damage the eye, heart, nervous system and internal organs.
• Thermal burns - this type of burn can be caused by such things as faulty electrical equipment, fires, sunburn, flames, hot surfaces, hot objects, hot water as well as other hot liquids.
• Tar burns
• Cement alkaline burns

If you have been burnt and it was down to not being provided the correct safety training or protective equipment, or inadequate safety procedures, you can make a claim against your employer.

Categories of burns

Superficial burns (first degree) are occasionally the source of small claims. However, as this type of burn goes no deeper than the epidermis (surface) of the skin they usually have a positive and speedy recovery.

A partial thickness burn (second degree) on the other hand, impacts on both the epidermis and dermis (the layer below the epidermis). This type of burn is often cited in work injury claims.

Finally, a full thickness burn (third degree) is the worst kind of burn. With this kind of burn the skin can have a black, charred appearance though sometimes will turn a very pale colour.

A full thickness burn is referred to as a fourth degree burn when it is so deep that it affects the bone, fat and muscle.

What can you claim for?

While most superficial burns will heal within a fortnight, more serious burns inevitably have more serious consequences. The amount on any payout will reflect issues such as whether surgery and/or skin grafts have been needed.

Other significant factors are things such as whether physiotherapy has been needed to restore movement to affected areas. With more severe burns having such traumatic elements, the question of whether psychological therapy is needed will also be taken into account

Make a claim with YouClaim

If you have suffered a burn injury at work that was not your fault, the specialist solicitors on YouClaim's panel are the best people to turn to. Governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, they offer an excellent level of service and are extremely skilled in bringing cases to a successful conclusion. What's more, our no win, no fee service makes the entire process of claiming compensation risk-free. 

To discuss your situation and so we can tell you if you have a case, please contact us today. You can do this by calling free on 0800 10 757 95, or clicking “start claim” to request a call back.