Did you suffer a serious burn at work or in an accident?
Find out how much compensation for burns you can get in Montana.
A burn injury can happen anywhere — most commonly at home or on the job. When it comes to work-related burn injuries, certain industries and professions are more prone to burn accidents and injuries than others. For instance, firefighters, electricians, construction workers, oil rig workers and food prep workers are most at risk.
What’s more, severe burns can be some of the most painful, excruciating and catastrophic personal injuries for victims because they often have to undergo multiple and extensive surgeries, skin grafts, a lifetime of therapy and treatment, as well as permanent disfigurement or loss of a limb.
There may also be a need for counseling or other psychological treatment to recover from the emotional trauma and effects of adjusting to a new way of life when burn damage is permanent.
These needs are costly, and many burn injury victims don’t realize they are entitled to compensation.
An experienced burn injury lawyer at Murphy Law Firm in Great Falls, MT can help you get the medical care and compensation benefits you need (and deserve) following a workplace accident. We regularly handle cases for people who are hurt on the job, and we promise to seek nothing less than full and fair compensation for every injury you’ve suffered.
Why hire Murphy Law Firm?
- We put our clients first
- We ONLY represent the injured
- Compassionate, aggressive and personal legal representation
- Licensed attorneys with extensive legal knowledge
- 75+ years of combined experience
- We’ve recovered millions of dollars in settlements for our clients
- Contingency fee (you don’t pay unless we win)
- Free consultation
Attorney Thomas J. Murphy
Founder of Murphy Law Firm
The workers’ compensation system is complex, and insurance companies have powerful resources designed to save them money at your expense. Seeking legal help can make a big difference in your financial outcome. Let our family help yours by fighting for the benefits you deserve.
Case results
Murphy Law Firm has successfully represented thousands of Montanans, including complex workers’ compensation claims.
Work-related burn injury statistics
If you or a loved one were burned at work, you’re not alone. Far from it. A number of studies have shown that workplace burn injuries account for a substantially high number of all reported burns (10 to 45%). Non-fatal and fatal burn injuries are clearly a serious danger to American workers, as these statistics prove:
- Work-related fires and explosions account for more than 5,000 burn injuries each year in the US.
- An estimated 42% of all work-related injuries are from burns.
- Industrial plants accounted for a majority of burn injury cases, followed by the food service industry (cooks, food handlers, kitchen workers, waiters), working in electrical companies and stores, and working in automotive servicing shops or due to motor-vehicle accidents.
- Men suffer the majority (90%) of reported work-related burn injuries.
- The average length of hospital stay for a workplace burn injury is 5.54 days.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3230153/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1449342/
https://ameriburn.org/resources/burn-incidence-fact-sheet/
Different types of burns in the workplace
Preventing the risk of fire danger by obeying safe practices when dealing with explosives and flammable materials is a great first step, but a burn injury can be the result of many different sources. Burns come in all shapes and sizes, especially in the workplace, and they aren’t all caused by fire or an open flame.
Other common types of burns include:
Thermal burns
Thermal burns occur when you touch something hot. While flames or fire can certainly produce these types of burns, so can hot or molten liquid, steam (scald), and hot objects (cooking pans, irons, appliances, etc). Food prep workers and firefighters are most at risk for thermal burns.
Chemical burns
If your skin or eyes come into contact with a harsh chemical irritant, such as acid, chlorine, ammonia, bleach, battery acid or strong cleaners, then you can get a painful chemical burn. Chemical burns are especially common in the manufacturing industry.
Electrical burns
An electrical burn is when you come into contact with an electric current and are jolted as it runs throughout your body. Electrical burns are most commonly caused by faulty extension cords and unprotected electrical wiring in the construction and trade industries.
Friction burns
The skin can also be burned by friction, which is when a surface repeatedly rubs against another surface or your skin is scraped against a hard surface (such as road rash). While most friction burns are relatively minor and heal on their own, some result in serious injuries.
Radiation burns
The term “burn” is technically incorrect when it comes to radiation burns, since the skin is not actually burned. Regardless, the pain and injury from radiation burns look and feel like a burn. They occur when high-energy radiation passes through your body and damages skin cells.
Thermal, chemical, and electrical burns are the most common types of burns in the workplace.
Regardless of which type of burn you’ve suffered, immediate medical attention may be required to minimize the damage and lasting effects. When an accident happens at work, you should report it immediately and seek medical treatment from a facility capable of providing specialized burn treatment.
Classifications (degrees) of burn injuries
Most burns fall into one of three categories or “degrees,” depending on the severity of the burn.
First degree
A first-degree burn means only the top layer of skin is affected. The skin becomes red, swells, and may peel. A first-degree burn heals within a few days and usually doesn’t require professional medical treatment.
Second degree
A second-degree burn reaches deeper into the epidermis than just the top layer of skin and may not heal for weeks. These burns are often associated with redness, blistering, and soreness.
Third degree
A third-degree burn can go as deep as the tissue underlying the layers of skin or even bone. It’s common for a victim to undergo surgery to recover from a third-degree burn, and in the most severe cases, amputation may be necessary. Permanent scarring is frequently seen with third-degree burns and the area may never fully heal.
While uncommon, 4th degree burns can also happen in the workplace. These are the most serious and debilitating types of burns, causing permanent damage to the muscles, ligaments, bones, tendons, body organs and more.
Schedule your FREE consultation with an experienced Montana burn injury attorney to discuss your right to compensation
The damage resulting from a serious burn can change the course of your life forever. When a burn victim is unable to fully recover or is faced with great expense during the long road to recovery, the party liable for the injury may be held responsible for payment of medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages and more. In the event of a burn injury at work, your employer must pay workers’ compensation benefits in most cases under Montana law.
At Murphy Law Firm, our burn injury lawyers are deeply familiar with this special type of personal injury and we understand the importance of establishing liability for your accident. Employers are required to provide a safe workplace, and when safety protocols are inadequate or breached, the employer can (and should) be held liable for any injury suffered.
We may be able to help you obtain reimbursement and compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Travel expenses
- Loss of consortium (income, companionship, child care, etc.)
- Emotional distress (pain and suffering)
- Punitive damages (money given as punishment)
Our dedicated team will prove liability by linking your injury to the accident, and offering evidence that proves the accident was the result of a breach of duty on the part of your employer. The damages we’ll seek can include out-of-pocket expenses for medical care as well as non-economic damages associated with your pain and suffering. If you’ve been burned while at work or in an accident, let us help you pursue full and fair compensation.
Contact Murphy Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation.
“Murphy Law Firm is reliable, trustworthy and incredibly driven to give the best service. I wouldn’t hire another attorney.”
