Workers’ Compensation and Burn Injuries

Are you having difficulty receiving your workers’ compensation benefit for a work-related burn injury?

Accidents cannot always be predicted and are part of the risk employees have to deal with every day. The safety directives implemented by the employer do not always guarantee that these work-related injuries will not happen. Burn injuries may occur in different types of jobs. However, restaurant and food service workers may face a bigger risk of burn injuries.

The severity of the Burn Injury

The severity of the burn injury determines whether an employee is entitled to receive workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits are normally given to employees whose burn injuries force them to miss work, incur huge medical expenses, require rehabilitation, or when they become permanently disfigured.

Classification of Burn Injuries

Burns are categorized according to the severity and seriousness of the injury. The classification of burn injuries are as follows:

First degree burns – First degree burns normally affect the outermost layer of the skin. These types of burn injuries may not result in any lasting injuries or permanent consequences.

Second-degree burns – Second-degree burns are more severe than first degree burns. Aside from affecting the outermost layer of the skin, the underlying layer is also affected by these types of burns. Second-degree burns may also cause blisters on the skin. It can also reduce the flow of blood to the damaged body part.

Third-degree burns – Third-degree burns are the most serious type of burn injury. Aside from affecting the outermost and underlying layer of the skin, third-degree burns can also affect the innermost skin layer. Third-degree burns are normally characterized by scorched or darkened skin. Permanent and conspicuous disfigurement may be obvious once the third-degree burn injury is healed.

Receiving Compensation for Your Injury

If you have suffered a severe burn injury due to a work-related accident and are facing difficulty in obtaining your workers’ compensation benefits, it may be necessary to consult an experienced Kansas City Missouri workers’ compensation attorney. Call The Law Office of James M. Hoffmann at (816) 399-3706 for a free consultation.