There are hundreds of workers who become victims of burn injuries at work. The burn injury can be as minor as a burn from a coffee pot to severe burn injuries that can prevent you from returning to work for days or months. As per the Virginia workers’ compensation law, you are eligible for compensation for work-related injuries without proving anyone’s fault. The chances of sustaining burn injuries in any workplace are high. 

One of the common questions by workers is, are they eligible for workers’ compensation benefits after sustaining burn injury at your job? The straight answer is yes. You are eligible for getting monetary compensation for medical treatment, ongoing therapy, psychological counseling, and loss of wages after getting burn injuries at work. 

Filing for compensation can be complex, and you may get tangled up with the tactics of your employers or the insurance company. The insurance companies are trained to give as little compensation as possible. This is why you must seek help from an experienced workers’ comp lawyer in Virginia who can ease the process and fight for your compensation. 

Types of burns you can become a victim of

  • Thermal burns: Thermal burn injuries are caused when the worker comes in contact with a heat source such as hot objects, explosions, flames, sparks, and more. 
  • Electrical burns: Any worker working around the electrical wires can become a victim of electrical burns. Electric currents can cause severe burns in the internal tissue of the body. 
  • Chemical burns: Getting in contact or being exposed to strong chemicals can cause burn injuries in the deeper tissue of your body -similar to thermal burns. 

Usually, burn injuries can cause serious health complications to the workers where the doctor may recommend plastic surgery, skin grafts, and more. The worker may not be fit enough to return to work during the treatment. The workers’ compensation act will provide monetary compensation for your burn injuries, including the loss of income and medical assistance. 

What should you do after sustaining a burn injury?

If you get a burn injury at work, you should seek medical assistance immediately. The doctor will advise you on the appropriate treatment. Additionally, you must report the accident to your employer and keep a copy of the written report. These reports will serve as evidence to prove that your injury occurred at work. Next, you should talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to get advice on filing for workers’ compensation.