I Was Burned While At Work, Can I Sue?

One of the most painful injuries you can suffer is a burn because the heat that damages the skin also damages the nerve endings. So the treatment for the skin damage, healing, and even a change in air temperature can cause a burn to begin throbbing. If you have suffered a burn injury while at work, you will wonder what action to take. It can be challenging to know how long the pain will last, when the burn will be fully healed, and when you can return to your regular job. And all of these concerns are made worse as you ponder your financial challenges due to your loss of income.

Fortunately, there is some good news for you about the care for your burns and your personal finances. The team at Kenmore Law Group is here to help you understand your rights as a workplace burn injury victim. And how you can get assistance with your lost wages to pay for living expenses and bills while you cannot work.

Our staff is here 24/7 to answer any immediate questions you might have related to your workplace injury. The most common is, can I count on worker’s comp to cover the medical care bills? Sadly, injured workers who cannot afford added medical expenses are shy about getting the care they need until they are sure that worker’s comp will pay what could be some substantial medical bills. And in most cases, the answer is yes. Of course, workers comp will pay the medical bills, but please call us at any time of the day or night to get more specific information to ensure you get the care you need as quickly as possible.

Understanding The Burns Covered Under Worker’s Compensation
When you think of suffering a burn at work, you might limit your thoughts to someone working in a restaurant or food service that is burned while cooking. However, it is essential to know that many other professionals include a high risk for burns of various types. The following types of workplace burns can cause severe damage and lasting impact and limitations if not treated immediately.

• Burns from excessively hot water – the culprit could be boiling water or a damaged or failing water heater that is delivering water that is too hot and can burn the skin
• Electrical burns can be caused by a damaged electrical cord, exposed wires, or damaged wiring in a machine that is shorting out on a metal surface
• Chemical burns can damage the skin or the tissue inside the body – thousands of chemicals used in various professions can cause burns including chlorine, ammonia, bleach, cleaning compounds, and many others
• Burns from an open flame in industrial applications
• Burns from overheating tools or equipment

Unfortunately, the treatment of burns varies based on the type of burn. So applying cold water or ice might not be the best way to stop the pain and damage to the skin and nerves. The only way to ensure the best recovery possible is to seek immediate emergency medical care for any severe burn, chemical burn, or electrical burn. In some cases, the caustic material or electrical current could cause other health concerns that require immediate treatment. If left untreated, even typical burns from hot water or another heat source could result in:

• Infections
• Skin breakdown that requires grafts to close the wound
• Disfigurement
• Loss of mobility or use

If you have suffered a burn while working in California, contact the Kenmore Law Group for any questions regarding your light to seek benefits from the worker’s comp program. Our lawyers are here 24/7 to ensure you have access to the information you need at any time of the day or night.
How To Get Worker’s Compensation Benefits
All employers in California are required to participate in the worker’s compensation insurance program. The funds are used to pay for the health care of workers who are injured on the job, and other benefits include partial lost wages and disability. In addition, there are no fees for employees who use the service, and there are no penalties for an employer whose employee files a claim. The program also benefits business owners as it prevents injured employees from suing them for damages related to workplace injuries.

When you get injured while at work, you need to notify your employer as soon as possible. In many cases, the notification to workers comp will be handled by your employer or a company staff member. All you need to do is give the medical service provider the name and contact information of your employer for them to process the bills through workers comp.
The Four Most Common Worker’s Comp Benefits
California worker’s comp does a great job of providing benefits to injured workers when they need help the most. The standard benefits include:

1. Payment for all medical care, medical devices, and prescriptions needed for the work-related injuries
2. Temporary disability pays you part of your wages if you are unable to work while healing from your injuries
3. If the injuries prevent you from ever working again, you could be eligible for partial permanent disability payments
4. If your injuries prevent you from returning to your current job but could allow you to work in another capacity, worker’s comp offers vocational training to prepare you for a new career

How Long Do I Have To File A Claim?
The time limit to file a workers comp claim is 30 days from the date of the injury. If you wait longer than 30 days, there is a good possibility that your claim and benefits will be denied. In addition, because you are not paying for filing a claim, there is never really a wise reason not to open the claim as soon as possible. Even if you think the injuries are not severe, the claim is open and really to pay your benefits should there be a change in your status or the severity of your injuries, such as an infection or other complications. The experts at Kenmore Law Group are happy to answer any questions you have about making a worker’s comp claim or your rights to the benefits.

What Is The Value Of A Worker’s Comp Burn Claim
The workers’ comp benefits will be based on two crucial factors. The first consideration is the total of all your medical bills for the care of your workplace burn injuries. The program typically pays these bills in full so that you are left with no additional medical debt from the burn you suffered at work. It is vital to understand that the benefits pay for all the initial care and any rehabilitation or therapy you will need to recover fully from your burn injuries.

The second benefit is the payment or part of your lost wages. This benefit is based solely on your income. Again, the legal team at Kenmore Law Group can discuss this benefit with you in more detail to help you understand the approximate amount you will receive.
What If My Employer Said I Can Not Use Worker’s Comp?
If your supervisor or employer told you not to file a claim with worker’s comp, it is essential that you contact Kenmore Law Group today. Our worker’s comp lawyers will evaluate your situation and determine if there is any reason worker’s comp would not cover your burn injuries. In addition, if you qualify, we will assist you in opening the claim and working with the worker’s comp staff to determine why your employer was unhelpful and unwilling to contact worker’s comp.

It is also essential to understand that it is against the law for an employer to fire an employee for making a worker’s comp claim or punishing them in any way. Contact Kenmore Law Group today if you believe that could happen because of a claim you have filed for a work-related burn injury. Our staff will fight diligently to protect your right to your worker’s comp benefits and ensure that your employers are not able to punish you for these uses of these essential services.
The Benefits Of Working With Kenmore Law Group
At Kenmore Law Group, we see each client as a person, not just a number. We understand that you have responsibilities, loved ones, and people who depend on you. And when you need help with a legal matter, like getting burned while at work, we want to help you. Our staff is dedicated to providing all the information and guidance possible to help you make the best choice for your immediate and future needs.

One of the ways we demonstrate our dedication to our clients is by providing our services with no upfront fees. We never want to add to your financial hardships or challenges after a workplace injury. Instead, we only get paid after we have gotten the settlement or verdict that you need to pay your bills and move beyond this challenging time. Contact Kenmore Law Group today to learn more about your right to worker’s comp benefits for your workplace burn injuries and lost wages.