Aggressive Representation for Victims of Workplace Burn Injuries

Depending on the type of workplace and the job duties or equipment involved, workers may suffer from five main types of burns:

Chemical: Chemical or caustic burns occur when the skin, eyes, ears or lungs come in contact with synthetic corrosive substances. Workers may suffer chemical burns when handling paint thinners, drain cleaners, gasoline, or other dangerous substances. Symptoms include pain, redness, blackened skin, headache, loss of vision, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Cryogenic: Those who work in low temperatures or handle low-temperature substances are at risk of getting cryogenic burns. Cold burns may be caused by liquefied gasses such as liquid nitrogen, as well as other coolants used in refrigerators and engines.

When low temperatures cause the skin and underlying tissues to freeze, it is called frostbite, a serious condition that may lead to hypothermia, or require amputation.

Electrical: Electrical currents traveling through the body may cause electrical burns. Often, this type of burn only causes internal injuries and can, therefore, be more difficult to treat. Certain workers, such as electricians and construction workers, are at a greater risk of sustaining this type of burn than those in other professions.

Radiological: This type of burn is caused by exposure to sources of radiation such as the sun, radio waves, x-rays, and radioactive materials. Unlike the other types of burns, radiological burns alter the body’s cell structure, which can cause cancer. The severity of the burn typically depends on the type of radiation and length of time the worker was exposed.

Thermal: Thermal burns are caused by hot liquids, fire, explosions, or other hot objects. This type of burn is most common among workers in industrial plants and the food service industry. These burns may be superficial or deep, depending on how many layers of skin were damaged.