Robert “Bobby” Jones is a Greenville burn injury lawyer ready to help when you’re injured at work. Contact us to talk to a lawyer and learn about how are workers’ compensation attorney in Greenville can assist you with your case.
Workers’ Compensation for a Burn Injury
Workers’ compensation covers burn injuries on the job. If you are hurt at work, workers’ compensation may provide medical care, replacement income, and disability compensation at no cost to you. It is not necessary to prove the fault of the employer to receive benefits.
Getting the benefits you deserve isn’t always easy. Having a Greenville burn injury lawyer represent you means having an experienced professional working on your case. Contact us today to see how we can help you.
Burn Injuries in the Workplace
Common causes of burn injury at work include:
- Flame, fire
- Explosion
- Electrocution, electrical contact
- Chemicals, liquids
- Radiation
- Hot grease
- Hot objects like a stove or equipment
- Steam
What happens if you get burned at work?
If you get burned at work, you may qualify for workers’ compensation. Report your injury to your employer. In addition, if a third party – besides your employer – is negligent, you may qualify for a tort claim.
Industries where burn injuries are especially common
A burn injury may occur in any job or profession. Here are some industries where they are especially common:
- Food service
- Construction, building trades
- Electrical services
- Transportation industry
- Manufacturing
- Skilled trades
Compensation for a Burn Injury
There are several types of compensation available for a burn injury at work. If you qualify, you may receive the following:
- Medical care without cost, from an authorized provider
- Income replacement, if you can’t work or your pay goes down
- Disability compensation for permanent injury or disfigurement
Medical care is paid if you seek it from a provider chosen by the employer. If you don’t like your doctor, you can ask the insurance company to make a change, or you can request a hearing before a commissioner to decide the matter.
In burn injury claims, disfigurement is an integral part of compensation. You receive your benefit amount for a number of weeks, depending on the nature and extent of the disfigurement. An important way a lawyer assists you is by making sure that your disfigurement compensation is correctly calculated.
It may be especially important when you have multiple types of injuries or when you have scars following your treatment. A lawyer can evaluate the disability calculation and request a hearing or negotiate your settlement, as needed.
Understanding Burn Injuries
A burn is damage to the skin because of exposure to heat. The tissues underneath the skin may also be damaged.
Burns vary in their severity. An injury may damage the outer layer of skin, or it may penetrate through all layers of skin to muscle and other tissue. The severity of the injury determines the prognosis and the risks for complications.
Is a burn a workplace injury in South Carolina?
South Carolina law defines workplace injuries as accidental and unexpected. An injury must arise out of and in the course of employment. A burn is a workplace injury. If it is serious enough to require medical attention, lost income because of time away from work, or disfigurement, you may receive financial compensation.
See Ellis v. Spartan Mills, 277 S.E. 2d 590, 276 S.C. 216 (1981).
How do burn injuries occur on the job?
Some common causes of burn injury on the job are:
- Malfunctioning equipment
- Lack of training
- Poor communication
- OSHA violations, safety procedure violations
- Failure of an employer to appropriately assess risk
- Complacency or carelessness in work
- Underestimating or downplaying dangers
- Inadequate maintenance
- Weather conditions and the elements
Remember that proof of fault is not required for an on the job burn injury claim. If you’re covered by workers’ compensation, the injury doesn’t have to be the employer’s fault. All that’s necessary is that you’re hurt because of your work duties. There are a few exceptions, like intentional harm and intoxication. However, proving employer negligence is not required to receive benefits.
Experienced Burn Injury Lawyer Serving Greenville
When you need an experienced burn injury lawyer, Bobby Jones Law is proud to represent you. At Bobby Jones Law We are proud to take complicated cases, and get you the compensation you deserve.
Our law firm assists clients with the following:
- Ensuring their injury is properly reported and filing the necessary forms to make the claim
- Requesting a hearing
- Building the evidence to present
- Representing you at your hearing
- Knowing what benefits you deserve and the right amounts
- Identifying issues that are especially important for burn cases, like disability compensation
- Negotiating with the insurance company
- Complying with deadlines and processing your claim in a timely manner
We give our all to each case. It’s our goal to understand your situation and explain your options. Then, we work on behalf of your best interests.
Free Consultations – Taking New Cases
We are taking new cases now. Contact us for a free consultation. Time limits apply, and we want you to get your benefits as soon as possible, so don’t wait any longer. Reach out by phone or email to talk to our legal team.
Call or message us for more information and a free consultation with a Greenville burn injury lawyer. Start your case for compensation today. Contact the team at Bobby Jones Law now.
