Workers’ Compensation Claims for Workplace Burns and Chemical Exposure
Despite it being a common and serious risk, getting workers’ comp for burns and chemical exposure can feel overwhelming and even impossible at times.
Whether you work in manufacturing, construction, healthcare, or labs, burns and chemical exposure are serious risks that can cause long-term pain, medical complications, and even permanent disability.
These kinds of injuries are too severe and life-altering to wait around for a complex and frustrating system to do the right thing. You need justice, and you need someone who’s willing to fight for it.
As a Memphis workers’ comp lawyer with over 40 years of experience, I’ve helped countless workers get the medical care and benefits they deserve. Here’s what you need to know about filing a workers’ compensation claim for these types of injuries and how to protect your rights.
Types of Burns and Chemical Injuries
Burns and chemical injuries can vary widely, and the type of injury affects the care you’ll need and the strength of your claim.
Common workplace scenarios include:
- Thermal burns, like contact with hot surfaces, fire, steam, or boiling liquids.
- Chemical burns, including exposure to acids, solvents, cleaning agents, or other hazardous chemicals.
- Electrical burns – injuries caused by electrical sparks, faulty wiring, or machinery.
- Respiratory or skin damage from chemical exposure, perhaps to harmful fumes, vapors, or toxins.
Each of these injuries can require extensive medical treatment, from hospital care and surgery to rehabilitation and ongoing therapy.
Reporting Your Injury Immediately
Time is critical in workplace burn or chemical exposure cases.
Always report the injury to your supervisor or employer immediately, even if it seems minor. Burns or chemical injuries can worsen over time, and delayed reporting may make it harder to prove that your injury was work-related.
In addition, keep a written record of the incident and any first aid or medical attention you received.
Get Prompt Medical Attention
Burns and chemical injuries often require immediate professional medical care to prevent further damage or infection.
Your medical records will serve as key evidence for your workers’ compensation claim, showing the severity of your injury and its connection to your workplace.
For chemical exposure, bring information about the substance involved to your doctor so they can provide appropriate treatment. Make sure they document what caused the injury, the severity of your exposure, and the impact on your whole body – both internal and external.
Document the Incident and Exposure
Detailed documentation strengthens your claim. Take notes about:
- The exact circumstances of the injury
- Safety measures in place (or missing)
- Any protective equipment you were using
- Names of coworkers or supervisors who witnessed the incident
If possible, collect photos of the worksite, machinery, or chemicals involved.
Understand Your Rights and Benefits
Workers’ compensation can cover medical expenses, wage replacement, and even disability benefits if your injury prevents you from returning to work.
Burns or chemical injuries can have long-term effects, so your claim may include compensation for ongoing care, rehabilitation, and loss of earning capacity if your condition limits your ability to perform your job in the future.
If you find you need long-term disability, our attorneys have extensive experience with both workers’ comp and SSDI. So we can help you at every stage of your recovery to get the support you need.
Why You Need an Experienced Workers’ Compensation Lawyer
Claims involving burns and chemical exposure can be extremely complicated. Insurance companies may question whether the injury was truly work-related, or whether the impacts were as severe as you might say they are.
If you’re facing that kind of response, it can feel extremely frustrating. You need to be able to focus on your recovery, not on being believed and treated justly.
That’s where a skilled workers’ compensation lawyer makes all the difference.
At our Memphis firm, we’ve successfully handled numerous cases like this. We’ve helped workers navigate insurance hurdles and made sure they receive full compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, and future care. We fight hard for our clients when others may back down, and we have the results (and reviews) to prove it.
Get Workers’ Comp for Burns and Chemical Exposure
Workplace burns and chemical exposures are serious injuries that require immediate attention and careful legal action.
If you’ve been hurt on the job, we can help. Having our experienced workers’ compensation lawyers by your side can make all the difference in getting the benefits you deserve.
If you’ve suffered burns or chemical exposure while working in Memphis, contact our team today. We’ll fight to protect your rights and help you get the medical care and compensation you need to recover.