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Burn Injury at Work: Am I Entitled to a Compensation?

You work hard every day at your job. But accidents happen even when you’re careful, and you could end up with a burn injury at work. You could be facing time away from your job and long-term health challenges. The costs of an accident can add up fast, leaving you with bills and questions about the future.

If you sustain a burn injury at work in Texas, you may be able to receive paid medical care for your burn injuries through your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, then the workers’ compensation may cover your medical care and replace a portion of your lost wages while you cannot work. If the employer does not have workers’ compensation insurance, then you may have a right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the employer or whoever caused your injuries.

The experienced Brownsville burn injury attorneys at Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., advocate for the rights of injured workers. We have an in-depth knowledge of the laws related to work injuries. We can help you pursue the financial recovery you deserve. Contact us today to learn about your legal options.

What Damages Can I Recover?

Suffering a serious burn injury can take away your ability to work and earn the income you need. A serious burn injury may involve treatment in a specialized burn hospital, multiple surgeries to address scarring, and a lengthy recovery.

If your employer has workers’ compensation insurance, it should cover your burn injury treatment. Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of no-fault insurance. That means that you do not have to prove that anyone was at fault in order to receive the insurance benefits. Even if you caused a workplace accident, you may still be eligible for workers’ comp benefits.

Unfortunately, some businesses misclassify employees as independent contractors in order to avoid paying proper benefits to them. If your employer disputes your right to receive workers’ compensation benefits, let an experienced Brownsville work injury attorney review the situation and help you understand your legal rights during a free consultation.

If you have significant burn injuries and workers’ compensation is unavailable or you do not qualify for benefits, then you may need to consider filing a burn injury lawsuit if someone else caused the accident. The types of damages you may be able to recover from a burn injury lawsuit include:

  • Medical costs. A burn injury could mean extended stays in hospitals, surgeries, medications, therapy, and other costly medical services. By filing an injury claim, you may seek to recover the costs of the medical care after an accident and the future costs of taking care of your burn injury if ongoing treatment is needed.
  • Lost wages and lost income. Serious burn injuries can leave you unable to work and deprive you of the income needed to support your family. Through a burn injury claim, you can seek compensation for the wages you have lost due to an injury.
  • Diminished earning capacity. Some burn injuries can limit your ability to work in the future or restrict the types of work you can do. You may have reduced income. You may seek compensation for reduced earning capacity through a burn injury lawsuit.
  • Pain and suffering. Burn injuries can be very painful both physically and mentally. Through a burn injury claim, you can seek compensation for your pain and anguish after a burn injury at work.
  • Punitive damages. In special circumstances, accident victims may seek punitive damages to punish a wrongdoer such as when someone’s fraud, malice, or gross negligence led to a burn injury.

After a burn injury at work, many types of compensation may be available. Contact Herrman & Herrman, a Brownsville burn injury law firm. Our attorneys will help you understand your options for seeking compensation to rebuild your life after a serious injury.

Common Causes of Burn Injuries at Work

Burn injuries can happen at almost any type of job. Some of the most common causes of burn injuries at work include:

  • Equipment that generates high temperatures
  • Wiring and electrical problems
  • Steam and high-temperature liquids
  • Hot grease
  • Exposure to dangerous chemicals
  • Situations and equipment that can cause friction burns
  • Lights and medical equipment that can cause radiation burns

Average Compensation for a Burn Injury

When you’re injured, you may be wondering how much compensation you may be able to seek. The answer is that it depends upon the facts and circumstances of the accident and the severity of your injuries.

A burn accident lawyer can review your case, answer your questions, and help you understand what compensation you may be able to seek.

Workers’ Comp Claim

If workers’ compensation insurance is available, filing a workers’ comp claim may be your best option. You may not have a right to sue your employer if the employer offers workers compensation benefits.

Compensation for non-economic losses, such as pain and suffering, is not covered through workers’ compensation benefits. However, if workers’ comp applies in your case, you may be eligible for benefits no matter who was at fault for the accident that injured you, as mentioned earlier. There are clear steps in filing a workers’ comp claim. A workers’ compensation lawyer can help you file a claim.

Wrongful Death Claim

The sad truth is that people can die because of burn injuries at work. If your loved one died as a result of workplace burn injuries, you may be entitled to death benefits through workers’ compensation or in some cases, you may have a right to pursue a wrongful death claim against those responsible for the fatal accident.

A compassionate attorney at Herrman & Herrman can help you understand the proper steps to take after the accidental death of a loved one.

Contact a Brownsville Burn Injury Lawyer Today

 If you or someone you love has suffered a burn injury at work, get in touch with Herrman & Herrman, P.L.L.C., today. With more than 100 years of combined experience, our burn injury attorneys have the knowledge, resources, and experience to help you pursue full compensation.

Our burn injury lawyers serve Texas from office locations in Corpus Christi, McAllen, San Antonio, and Brownsville. Our talented Accident Investigative Team can even come to the scene immediately after an accident. With a staff that speaks Spanish and English, we’re ready to talk with you.

For a free consultation about your case and how we could help, call us at (361) 882-4357 or reach out to us online now.

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