Burn injuries can be incredibly painful and may lead to scarring or disfigurement. In some cases, burns are so severe that complete healing isn’t possible.
For many workers, burn injuries are among the greatest hazards they face. This is clearly true for those in high-risk professions, such as firefighters or first responders. However, burn injuries can also occur in more common jobs, such as a kitchen worker being burned by boiling oil or a janitor suffering chemical burns from cleaning agents.
Burns are generally categorized into three different degrees, which help determine their severity and the type of treatment required.
First-degree burns
First-degree burns are the least severe and typically affect only the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin. The skin may turn red, similar to a sunburn, but these burns generally heal on their own.
Second-degree burns
Second-degree burns extend into the lower layers of the skin, known as the dermis. They often result in swelling, blistering, redness and pain that may be more intense than with a first-degree burn. These burns can heal, but they may take longer and could lead to scarring.
Third-degree burns
The most severe are third-degree burns, which can reach deep into tissues such as fat and muscle beneath the skin. These burns can damage nerves, sweat glands and hair follicles. They often result in permanent scarring, as the skin may not heal completely.
Seeking workers’ compensation benefits
Workers who have suffered serious burns on the job should understand their rights and options to seek proper workers’ compensation benefits. It can help to work with an experienced workers’ comp firm at this time.
