Help! I Burned Myself At Work! What Can I do?
Legal Options For Third Degree Burns
The Burn Mechanism – Determining the Severity of Burn Injuries
The burn mechanism is used to determine the severity and extent of burn injuries. The burn mechanism has established three different degrees of severity. They are:
- First degree burns (minor burns) – Burns that only affect the outer layer of skin are classified as first degree burns. These will typically heal on their own after a few days and leave no scarring.
- Second degree burns (moderate burns) – Second degree burns affect the outer skin layer and part of the inner layer. Blisters may form around the burn area. In some cases, skin grafts may be necessary. Keep the burn moisturized and apply antibiotic ointment to promote healing and prevent infection.
- Third degree burns (severe burns) – This type of burn completely penetrates the skin. With third degree burns, the nerves within the burn area have been completely destroyed, so you may not feel any pain whatsoever. This type of burn cannot heal without prompt and extensive medical treatment at a burn center, and scarring is inevitable.
So What Can I Do If I Get A Third Degree Burn?
That depends on the circumstances in which the injury took place. Your options may be limited if the burn happened by accident or is relatively minor. However, if it’s a major injury that happened as a result of defective equipment or a violation of safety protocol on the part of your employer, you may have cause to file a personal injury lawsuit against them.
1. Take Pictures of the Injury.
The first thing you should do is to take pictures of the injury. This will help document the extent of your injury. The law does not take negligence cases lightly, especially when it comes to workplace safety violations.
2. Seek Immediate Medical Care, and Bring All Medical Receipts.
Next, you should make sure to obtain a copy of any medical bills or any other expenses incurred as a direct result of the injury. This will help determine the amount of money to which you’re entitled. Judges love receipts.
3. Do Not Accept Insurance Settlements or Sign Anything.
Don’t even talk to the insurance company. Many insurance companies will try to settle for less than any judgement you might receive. Remember, the insurance companies are not there to help you in a lawsuit; they are there to protect your employer’s best interests.
4. Hire a Personal Injury Attorney
You should also hire a personal injury attorney to handle your case. The attorneys at the law office will specialize in personal injury cases and will work hard to help you obtain the largest judgement available for your particular case.
Call the Law Office for a Free Consultation
Contact a law office by searching and utilize their phone number for a free consultation. They can answer any questions you have about personal injury lawsuits and obtain any monetary damages to which you’re entitled. Most likely the law office will have been doing business in the city for years.
