Workplace Burn Injuries – What You Need to Know

Countless burn-related injuries occur each year, and a number of them are suffered by employees on the job. In fact, for those employed in the construction industry, burns are a constant threat due to the presence of heavy machinery, chemicals, fire, and other dangers. Luckily, workers’ compensation benefits are available to burn victims in most cases, and an experienced Arizona workers’ compensation attorney will often be able to accurately assess an injured employee’s odds of a successful financial recovery. Below is an overview of what you need to know about burns and workers’ compensation in Arizona.

What to do if you’ve suffered a burn at work

Burns are typically categorized as either minor or major burns. Minor burns often result in redness, swelling, and pain. And while all burns should be immediately examined by a licensed medical professional as soon as possible, the following steps are typically recommended for treating minor burns:

• Run cool water over the burn
• Clean the burn with mild soap and water
• Apply ointment to the burn if the skin isn’t broken
• Loosely wrap the burn in a sterile gauze

However, it must be emphasized that even minor burns should be examined by a medical professional as soon as possible, as such injuries sometimes appear less severe than they really are. And as noted above, all major burns require immediate medical care. In fact, some burns, such as second-degree and third-degree burns, often require hospitalization.

Is your burn covered by workers’ compensation in Arizona?

• Employees All employees, whether part or full-time, are entitled to workers’ compensation in Arizona if they suffer burns while performing job-related duties.

• Independent contractors – Arizona makes a distinction between employees and independent contractors. Independent contractors, as they are not considered employees, are usually not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for burns suffered while on the job. However, even if you believe you are an independent contractor, you should still contact an Arizona workers’ compensation attorney to assess your situation, as employees are often misclassified as independent contractors by their employers. An experienced workers’ compensation attorney will be able to accurately assess whether your employment situation entitles you to compensation for your injuries.

• State employees – State employees are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for their work-related injuries. In fact, state employees in Arizona are not permitted to reject such benefits.
• Volunteers – Volunteers are usually not entitled to workers’ compensation benefits in Arizona, but there are exceptions to this rule. For example, volunteer firefighters are covered by Arizona’s workers’ compensation insurance.

Arizona Workers’ Compensation Attorneys

Workplace injuries can be devastating, both physically and financially. Therefore, if you or a loved one have been injured on the job, it is highly recommended that you contact an experienced Arizona workers’ compensation attorney as soon as possible, as you may be entitled to compensation. For a free consultation, please contact Arizona Injury Law Group, Attorneys at Law, PLLC, at 602-346-9009.