A burn injury at work could be minor – superficial – or it may be a catastrophic injury that permanently affects a victim. Either way, an injured worker in Boston may be entitled to financial compensation for the burn injury. Discuss your burn injury case with an attorney at no cost or obligation at Barry D. Lang, M.D. & Associates. We are a highly experienced personal injury and workers’ compensation law firm that can help you demand justice and maximum financial compensation.
Why Choose Us?
- We have over 20 years of experience in personal injury law.
- We have nurses and doctors on staff for fast and effective case reviews.
- Our lawyers have relationships with top medical providers for assistance with trial testimony when needed.
- You will have direct contact with an attorney, so that you’re never left in the dark about your case.
- Our Boston workplace burn injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will pay us $0 upfront.
Do You Need a Burn Injury Lawyer in Boston?
Burn injuries can cause physical, mental and emotional scars. They are painful and often debilitating injuries. They also may result in thousands of dollars in necessary medical care, in addition to lost wages from being unable to return to work. Serious injuries deserve legal attention. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury in a workplace accident, a lawyer can help you move forward with a claim.
You can relax and focus on healing from a burn injury while your lawyer deals with the legwork of your case. A lawyer will understand all of the state and local laws surrounding your workplace burn injury case. An attorney can take care of the legal process for you, handling accident investigation and other tasks to build the strongest case possible. This can ensure optimal results while also reducing your mental stress.
Four Types of Burn Injuries
Many different jobs expose workers in Boston, Massachusetts to the risk of burn injuries. This includes jobs that directly involve fire, such as firefighters and welders, as well as those who are subject to other burn injury risks, such as steam, harmful chemicals and electricity. Burn injuries are not caused only by exposure to heat or open flames. There are four different types of burn injuries that can impact workers in Boston:
- Thermal burns. Thermal burns are caused by heat, such as fires and explosions.
- Chemical burns. Chemical burns are caused by contact with or exposure to acidic or caustic substances in the workplace.
- Electrical burns. Electrical burns can stem from contact with electrical currents, such as live powerlines or exposed wiring.
- Radiation burns. Being exposed to too much radiation at work can cause this type of burn injury, such as exposure to x-rays, radiation therapy or the sun.
Workers in Boston who are at the highest risk of suffering burn injuries include construction workers, industrial and plant workers, electricians, chefs and foodservice workers, mechanics, and offshore drilling rig workers. At any career in Boston and with any type of burn injury diagnosis, however, you could be eligible for financial compensation.
Burn Injury Severity
Once a doctor has determined the type of burn injury, he or she will categorize it into one of three degrees based on its severity. A first-degree burn is the least severe, while a third-degree burn is the most severe:
- First degree. The symptoms of a first-degree burn can include a red mark and minor pain. First-degree burns generally do not require professional medical care unless they are in a sensitive area (such as the face) or are large.
- Second degree. A second-degree burn is more serious and often leads to blistering and an open wound. This puts the worker at risk of infection, and it makes it necessary to seek medical care right away. Second-degree burns often leave permanent marks, scarring or skin discoloration.
- Third degree. A third-degree burn is extremely serious and needs immediate emergency medical care. The victim may not notice any pain due to nerve damage, but the skin may appear brown or white and charred in appearance. A third-degree burn results in permanent disfigurement, such as severe scarring and potential amputations.
You could be entitled to financial compensation for your workplace burn injury at any severity level if it cost you money in medical care or resulted in time taken off work to heal.
The Long-Term Effects of Burn Injuries
More often than not, a worker with a burn injury experiences long-term effects and consequences from the damage to the skin and deeper tissues. These effects can be physical or emotional, and may include:
- Infections
- Amputations
- Organ damage
- Trouble with thermoregulation
- Chronic pain or itching
- Significant scarring and disfigurement
- Disability
- Permanent nerve damage
- Increased risk of cancer and other diseases
- Emotional distress
- Diminished enjoyment of life
- Psychological trauma
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
A severe burn injury can come with various complications and may require expensive surgeries, hospital stays and other forms of long-term medical care.
Workers’ Compensation Claim vs. Injury Lawsuit in Massachusetts
After suffering a burn injury in the workplace in Boston, report it to your employer in writing as soon as possible. Visit a doctor on your employer’s approved list of providers for care (unless it is an emergency, in which case you can visit any hospital in Boston). Then, ask your employer to submit a workers’ compensation claim on your behalf.
The workers’ compensation system reimburses injured workers for their medical bills, partial lost wages and disabilities even without proof of employer negligence. Before you accept a workers’ comp settlement, however, consult with an attorney about the possibility of a burn injury lawsuit. This would require you or your lawyer to prove that someone was negligent in causing or contributing to your injury, but it can result in greater compensation.
Contact a Workplace Burn Injury Lawyer in Boston Today
If you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with a burn injury from an incident at work in Boston, Massachusetts, consult with a Boston workers’ compensation attorney at Barry D. Lang, M.D. & Associates for advice and counsel that you can trust. We will carefully review your case and refer you to the ideal attorney for your workplace burn injury lawsuit. We care about our clients and will do what we can to help you during this difficult time. Call 1-877-LAW-DOCS today or contact us online to start with a free case consultation.