The Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports that “work-related fires and explosions account for more than 5,000 burn injuries each year.” They have also estimated that anywhere from 10-45% of all burn injuries occur in the workplace. Every year, hundreds of McKinney workers essential to local industries are seriously burned or killed in workplace fires or explosions. These victims and their families are often left asking: what are my next steps?
If you have found yourself uncertain in the aftermath of a workplace burn injury, you are not alone. Many workplace burn victims suffer great physical and financial losses but are unsure if they are eligible to seek compensation. Many employers offer workman’s compensation, but if you are not offered workman’s compensation benefits or your workplace burn injury was caused by a party other than your employer, filing a personal lawsuit may be the right choice for you.
Before accepting a workman’s compensation payment, it is a good idea to consult with a McKinney burn injury attorney to make sure you are being fairly compensated for the full extent of your damages.
What to do After a Workplace Burn InjuryWhile it is important to consult with a personal injury lawyer serving McKinney regarding your specific burn injury lawsuit, the following is a general guide on what to do after a workplace burn injury in McKinney.
Seek medical attention
Many burn injuries will require emergency care or extensive stays in hospital burn injuries. It is important that your burns are examined by a doctor as soon as possible in order to avoid potentially catastrophic complications or even fatality.
Report the accident to your employer immediately.
It is important to officially record that your burn injury occured on company property and/or in the course of your employment. Whether you are eligible to seek workman’s compensation or not, it will become important to establish that your employer had knowledge of your injury.
Keep careful documentation of any losses after your accident.
Another reason it is so crucial to receive immediate medical attention is to record the immediate consequences of your workplace burn injury. In addition, keep any additional records relating to further complications, additional medical bills, offers of workman’s compensation, or correspondence with insurance companies in the aftermath of your workplace injury.
If eligible, apply for workman’s compensation benefits.
Many employers subscribe to workman’s compensation insurance (especially if their workers perform hazardous tasks or work with dangerous materials in the course of their employment). You may be eligible to file for workman’s compensation benefits directly with your employer.
It is important that you do not accept a workman’s compensation payment that does not fairly represent the extent of your damages; once you accept any payment, you are no longer able to file any lawsuits against your employer.
If you are ineligible to seek workman’s compensation, contact an experienced McKinney burn injury attorney.
Some workers are ineligible to seek workman’s compensation if their employer does not subscribe to workman’s compensation insurance or if an outside contractor, supplier, or co-worker is the cause of a workplace burn injury. If this describes you, it is important to contact a burn injury lawyer as soon as possible due to Texas law requiring that victims file a personal injury suit within two years of the date of injury.
If you’d like to evaluate your next steps after a workplace burn in McKinney Texas, schedule your no-cost, no-obligation initial consultation with the Carabin Shaw personal injury lawyers serving McKinney. When you work with a Carabin Shaw attorney, we can guarantee world-class representation and the individualized care your burn injury lawsuit deserves.
To schedule your free case review with the Texas accident attorneys at Carabin Shaw, call our office toll-free today at 800-862-1260 or fill out our online form.