What Is The Value Of My Worker’s Comp Burn Injury
Suffering a workplace injury can be a significant concern for many. While most jobs do not place worker safety at risk regularly, there is the potential for accidents to happen that could result in a severe injury such as a burn. Fortunately, workers have the peace of mind of knowing that if they suffer an injury at work, worker’s compensation will help them cope with the cost of medical care and other benefits.
If you have suffered a burn while on the job, your priority should always be proper medical treatment. You can often contact your doctor or visit a local clinic, emergency room, or hospital to receive appropriate burn and wound care. However, if the burn is severe or very large, do not hesitate to call 911 for emergency medical services to come to you to provide the immediate treatment required. Only after getting the medical care you need should you begin to think about any other ramifications of a burn suffered while at work.
To learn more about the value of your worker’s comp burn injury or how to file a claim with worker’s comp, the staff at Kenmore Law Group is ready to help. Our team of exceptional legal professionals can be reached 24/7 to help you understand how the worker’s compensation insurance plan will assist you in handling medical expenses and other challenges created when you suffer a burn or other injury at work. In addition to answering your immediate questions, our staff is happy to book a free consultation for you to share the facts of your case with a seasoned Kenmore Law Group worker’s compensation burn injury lawyer.
Once our pro has all the vital information, they will provide you with answers to your critical questions like what is the value of my worker’s comp burn injury and how to I seek the compensation promised to me. All we ask is that you reach out to the Kenmore Law Group staff at your earliest opportunity to ensure you understand and meet all the time limits in place to file a claim and receive benefits from worker’s comp.
$465,000
Slip & Fall
$600,000
Assault and Battery
$525,000
Head Trauma
$900,000
Hand/Wrist and Back Injury
$599,000
Slip And Fall Accident
$600,000
Shoulder Injury
How Do I Know If My Burn Injury Is Covered Under Worker’s Comp?
Sadly, many workers in California know little about their worker’s comp benefits until they need to use them. Sometimes, even their employer is unaware of the process and help offered to injured workers or unwilling to allow their employee to file a claim. All workers need to know that employers are required to purchase worker’s comp insurance to cover their employees in the event of an injury accident. In addition, the employer cannot prevent an injured employee from seeking help from worker’s comp or filing a claim for an injury suffered while on the job.
The short answer to knowing if your injury is covered under worker’s comp is that any injury suffered while working at your job and performing tasks of your job is covered. You do not need your employer’s permission to file a claim and use the benefits offered under the plan. However, you are required to contact the employer and notify them that you were injured while at work.
Most Information About Workplace Burns
All employees gain a certain level of comfort in their jobs over time, and some potential hazards can appear insignificant or commonplace after a while. However, there is always a risk for injuries and burns, which can be very serious and lead to other health issues if not treated correctly. Commonplace burns occurring in work settings include:
- Electrical burns due to exposed electrical wiring damaged electrical cords, or contact with electricity because of a damaged machine or tool – often, these burns are only part of the possible hazard as the victim can suffer electrical shocks as well as typical surface burns, making these life-threatening incidents which require immediate emergency medical care
- Burns from hot liquids are common in many fields, from food preparation and food service jobs to plumbers working on a water heater or a mechanic who encounters hot oil or hydraulic fluid – one of the most concerning facts related to hot liquid burns is the flow of the liquid across the surface of the body can result in massive burns and devastating harm to the skin
- Contact burns often occur when an employee touches or comes into contact with an overheated piece of equipment – not only can the contact result in instant skin damage, but it can also ignite or begin to melt clothing and protective gear that will continue to cause burn damage
- Chemical burns can occur on the skin’s surface in the event of contact, or the chemical vapor can damage the respiratory system, eyes, nose, and internal organs
If you feel you have suffered a workplace burn injury of any kind, know that you have the right to seek medical care and treatment for any workplace burn injury under your worker’s compensation coverage. Please get in touch with the staff at Kenmore Law Group is you have questions regarding this coverage or have been told by your employer that you are not permitted to seek coverage from worker’s comp or file a claim with them.
Understanding The Potential Complications Related To Burn Injuries
If you are unsure you want to take the time or make an effort to seek medical care for a burn, you must understand some of the possible complications that can occur after a burn injury. The skin is the largest organ in the human body and is designed to provide a protective coating for the more delicate components like internal organs, muscles, and nerves. When the skin is damaged, foreign matter, including bacteria and other hazards, has easy access into your body.
Burns that are untreated or incorrectly treated are likely to become infected and can result in life-threatening harm. In addition, if a burn is not treated immediately, it can increase the potential for these life-altering complications:
- Skin loss that will require painful skin grafts to close the wound and allow it to heal
- Disfigurement of the damaged area
- Loss of mobility in the area harmed by the burn
- Permanent nerve damage or the complete loss of feeling and nerve sensation in the burn area
Knowing that worker’s compensation coverage will pay for any medical care you receive for a workplace burn injury, it is wise always to get a medical evaluation to ensure proper care.
How Long Do I Have To File A Worker’s Comp Claim?
It is critical for all employees to understand that in the event of a critical or life-threatening burn or other injury suffered while working, you can receive emergency medical care before contacting worker’s comp to open a claim. In fact, your medical care should always be your priority. The staff at worker’s comp will open your claim for you after you have received care for any workplace injury. In some cases, you can inform the medical care provider that you were hurt at work, and they will begin the documentation and record-keeping process to submit to worker’s comp after you have opened a claim.
If your employer or medical care provider has not contacted worker’s comp to open a claim for your injuries, you must reach out to the insurance provider within the first 30 days after your workplace injury. If worker’s comp is not notified and does not open a claim within that time, you will not be eligible for any worker’s comp benefits for the burn injury you suffered.
What Is The Value Of My Worker’s Comp Burn Injury?
The amount of your worker’s comp burn injury will be determined by your actual losses and expenses covered under the program. In general, all medical costs related to treatment of a workplace injury such as a burn will be covered up to $1M. That is the cap for medical care coverage for a single workplace injury incident. In addition, if you are unable to work until you are fully healed or recovered from your injuries, the program will provide up to 66% of your average weekly earnings to compensate you for your lost income due to a workplace injury.
Can I Sue My Employer For Additional Compensation?
In most cases, an employee who is injured at work is only permitted to file a worker’s comp claim to seek compensation. They are not permitted to file a civil case. The worker’s comp insurance program was created to ensure that injured workers get the care they need without suffering undue expenses. However, it is also meant to protect employers from civil cases for workplace injuries. Only in instances involving gross negligence on the part of the employer is there consideration for the injured employee to file a civil case. Don’t hesitate to contact Kenmore Law Group’s worker’s comp burn injury lawyers to learn more.
No Upfront Legal Fees At Kenmore Law Group
After suffering a workplace injury, it can be frustrating to understand the procedure and policies of worker’s comp that are meant to help you. The staff at Kenmore Law Group is ready to assist you in getting the worker’s comp coverage owed to you if your employer is not helping you or is trying to prevent you from opening a claim. And we never ask for any upfront compensation to begin working on your case. Instead, we only get paid after the case is resolved, and you have the compensation needed to cover your legal costs. Please contact our staff today to learn more.