Burn Injuries at Work

Skilled & Experienced Burn Injury Workers’ Compensation Lawyer in Chicago

Were you burned while on the job? Work-related injuries, including burns, can be extremely serious in nature, and sometimes result in severe harm, disfigurement, or even death. Employers are responsible for ensuring that their workplace is safe and that all safety measures are securely in place, as dictated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). However, not every employer takes the necessary steps to certify the safety of their workers. In fact, OSHA reports that more than 5,000 workers are hospitalized each year for burns they receive while at work. Of those injuries, roughly 200 prove to be fatal.

Why Choose Leonard Law Group?

Burn injuries are extremely serious, and if you or someone you love was burned at work, you may have a right to certain workers' compensation benefits. Our experienced burn injury workers' comp attorneys at Leonard Law Group understand what you are going through, and we want to help make the legal process as easy as possible so that you can focus on recovering from your injury. 

Since 1996, our firm has worked tirelessly to advocate for the rights of the injured, securing more than $1,000,000,000 in settlements and verdicts on behalf of our clients. Our Chicago burn injury lawyers are committed to providing each client with comprehensive legal help and guidance from the moment they file a workers’ comp claim to the day they collect their rightful benefits.

Ready to get started? Call (312) 487-2513 to discuss your burn injury with our Chicago workers' compensation attorneys.

Common Work-Related Burn Injuries

Unfortunately, burn injuries are rather common in the workplace, and they almost always require immediate medical attention. 

Burns might be caused by any number of problems, but often fall into one of three general categories:

• Chemical burns: Chemical burns might be caused by a dangerous, corrosive material, or a heavy-duty cleaner or solvent. These types of injuries can occur on nearly any jobsite, as cleaners exist everywhere.
• Electrical burns: Electrical burns are usually caused by uncontrolled electric currents or sparks, and are more common on construction sites or in warehouses where wiring might malfunction or become loose. burns: Electrical
• Thermal burns: Thermal burns are the more traditional burns caused by an open flame or some type of direct heat source, like a stove, steam, or industrial machinery. Or, someone might burn themselves after touching something hot, like a pipe, a heated motor, a hot tool, or some other material.

Burn Injury Categorizations

All burns are rated according to the severity of the damage. A burn can be either a first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, or fourth-degree burn, depending on the damage to the skin, nerves, or muscles.

The four degrees are as follows:

• First-degree burns: These are the mildest, affecting only the outermost layer of the skin. They are usually soothed by simple antiseptic ointments and bandages.
• Second-degree burns: Second-degree burns damage the second layer of the skin, the dermis, causing redness and pain to the injured area. The injury may blister and scar.
• Third-degree burns: These types of burns go deeper than the dermis, affecting the fatty layer of skin beneath, sometimes harming nearby nerves. They often scar, and usually require extensive medical care and pain management, usually in the form of narcotics.
• Fourth-degree burns: Fourth-degree burns are the most serious type of burn and are often fatal. They penetrate beneath the skin, damaging nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and even bones.

Beyond the immediate tissue damage, severe burns can cause complications such as infections, fluid loss, and respiratory issues that require intensive care. Some workers need multiple surgeries, prolonged physical therapy, and counseling to cope with the emotional impact of visible scarring. 

Benefits Available for Work-Related Burn Injuries

After a serious work-related burn, many people are unsure what benefits they may qualify for under Illinois workers’ compensation law. 

Injured workers may be able to receive benefits for:

• Medical treatment
• Temporary total disability
• Temporary partial disability
• Permanent partial disability
• Permanent total disability
• Vocational rehabilitation

Furthermore, if your burn injury was caused by a third party, such as a contractor, subcontractor, property owner, or equipment manufacturer, you may also have grounds for a third-party personal injury claim. 

In addition to pursuing workers' compensation benefits, our Chicago burn injury attorneys can evaluate whether you have a separate claim to seek compensation for damages not typically covered by workers' compensation, including pain and suffering and other losses.

Let Our Chicago Firm Help You Fight for Benefits After a Burn Injury

If you or someone you love was burned while on the job, make sure you take immediate action to fight for the benefits and compensation you are owed. Caring for burn injuries can be extremely costly, and may require long-term, ongoing care and treatments. Additionally, these burns can cause scarring, severe physical pain, emotional trauma, and may seriously affect the injured person’s ability to return to work. 

Our burn injury attorney in Chicago recognizes the pain and stress that injured workers and their families often face. We are committed to guiding our clients and their loved ones through every stage of the workers' compensation process, providing trusted legal support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon should I report a burn injury at work?

You should report a burn injury to your employer as soon as you are able. Early reporting helps make sure that an incident report is completed while details are still fresh and that you are directed to appropriate medical care. Prompt notice can also help avoid disputes later about when and where the injury occurred. If you are hospitalized, a family member can often assist with notifying your employer.

Can I choose my own doctor for a work-related burn in Illinois?

In Illinois, injured workers can seek treatment from two doctors without a referral. It is important to follow your doctor’s recommendations and keep all appointments so there is a clear record of your progress. If you have questions about changing doctors, you can discuss how that may affect your claim.

What if my workers’ compensation claim for a burn is denied?

If your claim is denied, you are not without options. A denial letter should explain the stated reason for the decision, such as a dispute about whether the injury is work-related or whether certain treatment is necessary. You have the right to pursue the matter before the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission, where an arbitrator can review evidence and hear arguments from both sides. Gathering medical records, witness information, and any safety documentation from the workplace can be important in challenging a denial.

How long can a work-related burn claim take to resolve?

The time it takes to resolve a burn claim can vary widely depending on the severity of the injury, how long treatment lasts, and whether there are disputes about benefits. Some claims resolve relatively quickly if liability is accepted and the worker makes a good recovery, while others may take longer when there are multiple surgeries or lasting impairments. 

Contact Leonard Law Group today to discuss your case with our workers’ comp firm and learn how our burn injury lawyer in Chicago, IL, can support you.