Burn Injury Compensation

A burn injury is any injury to the skin or other organ tissue arising from contact with heat, electricity, radiation or chemicals.

When the skin is burned, fluid leaks into the blood vessels, causing swelling and intense pain. The damaged skin is easily infected because it is no longer able to act as a barrier against invading organisms.

Burn injuries often require extensive skin grafting, constructive surgery and long periods of rehabilitation. Severe burn injuries may result in skin disfigurement and scarring; amputated limbs; loss of sense of touch; changes in physical appearance resulting in loss of self-esteem; and in extreme cases death.

If you have suffered a burn injury in an accident at work, a car accident, an accident in a public place or at home, you may be entitled to claim personal injury compensation.

Common causes of burn injuries:

• Buildings on Fire- When buildings are on fire, the occupants become trapped between burning windows and stairways especially in high-rise buildings. People suffer serious burn injuries trying to escape from the building. 
• Chemicals- Chemical burns result from exposure to chemicals at work over a long period of time. Dangerous chemicals cause burning or irritation, pain or numbness, blisters or black dead skin. Most chemical injuries affect the face, eyes, arms and legs. 
• Defective Products- Hundreds of products are recalled each year due to injuries or risks of injuries to consumers. Defective products such as drain cleaners, rust removers, and industrial cleaning products cause severe burn injuries. 
• Electricals- At building or construction sites, defective wiring, ladders contacting power lines and power tools cause serious burn injuries. Landscaping, gardening and farming equipment are all causes of electrical burn injuries. 
• Flammable liquids- Flammable liquids such as solvents, thinners, cleaners, adhesives, paints, waxes and polishes are all combustible liquids and have the ability to burn at temperatures that are usually above working temperatures. Flammable liquids can cause large fires and severe burn injuries at work. 
• Gas Explosions- Serious burn injuries are often caused by accidental gas explosions at home and in accidents at work. 
• Hot Liquid- Children and the elderly are most at risk of hot liquid burn injuries because a child’s skin is much thinner while the skin of a senior citizen is less sensitive and has slower reaction time. Most hot liquid burn injuries occur in the kitchen at home or bathroom. 
• Accidents at work- Common work-related burn injuries are caused by poor electrical wiring in accidents at building or construction sites, explosion fires, radiation and chemicals. Burn injuries due to hot oil or grease tend to be prevalent among restaurant kitchen workers. Burn injuries resulting from tar are common among roofing workers in accidents at building or construction sites. Electrical burn injuries are common among farm workers and fire-fighters. 
• Car accidents- Toxic gases and other hazardous substances combine to cause serious risks of explosions in car accidents. 
• Radiation- Radiation burn injuries may result from radioactive material which remains on the skin. Radiation burns are caused by high-energy electromagnetic waves or particles.

Guide to Car Accident Fires:

If you find yourself in a burning car, for your safety and the safety of your passengers, follow the following simple steps:

• You should all get out of and away from the car immediately. Do not try to put out the fire yourselves. The car might explode any moment. 
• Once you are a safe distance away from the car, use your mobile phone to call the fire brigade by dialling 999. Tell them the location of your car. 
• Stay away from the car. Do not attempt to get back into the burning car to retrieve personal effects, however valuable. 
• Do not try to open the bonnet or boot of the car. Air could rush in and enlarge the fire and can lead to serious burn injuries or death.

If you have suffered a burn injury in an accident at work, in a car accident, in a public place or at home, you may be entitled to claim personal injury compensation.