Orange County Workplace Burn Injury Lawyer
Orange County Workplace Burn Injury Attorney
Burns are some of the most painful and damaging kinds of injuries that someone can receive in the workplace. When these injuries happen in the course of doing your job, your employer’s workers’ compensation insurance is responsible for paying your medical bills and lost wages. Getting that compensation should be easy, but it is often so complex that it requires the help of an Orange County workplace burn injury lawyer.
At Diefer Law Group, P.C., we help burn injury victims get the compensation that they deserve. We understand how frustrating dealing with the complexities of the workers’ compensation process can be. That’s why we represent our clients through the full process, including any appeals that are necessary. We can pursue the compensation that our clients need through every legal avenue available to us.
Workplace Burns That You Could Receive
While some workplaces are more prone to causing a burn injury than others, there are potential risks anywhere. This is because, while our tendency is to think of burns as being caused by fire, that is just one of the many kinds of burns that could be received at work. Some of the more common kinds of workplace burns include:
- Thermal Burns – These are burns that are caused by heat. They could be a product of flames and fire, but they could also come from contact with hot liquids, steam, surfaces that have reached high temperatures, or anything else hot enough to cause injury.
- Cold Burns – These burns, more commonly called frostbite, are a result of extremely cold temperatures. They are more common in situations where there is freezer storage, outdoor work in cold temperatures, and other sources of prolonged exposure in frigid temperatures.
- Chemical Burns – Exposure to certain chemicals can cause burn-like injuries when they are inhaled or come into contact with skin and eyes. These kinds of injuries are more common in places where harsh chemicals are used in laboratories, cleaning, or manufacturing.
- Electrical Burns – These burns happen when someone comes in contact with an electrical current. The damage from these could cause significant harm to internal tissues. Generally, those working with and near exposed wires are at the most risk, such as workers at a construction site.
- Friction Burns – Like road rash, these burns come from rubbing quickly across a hard surface. Generally, they are caused by some kind of machinery or a manual labor accident.
- Radiation Burns – Exposure to radiation, particularly if acute or prolonged, could cause damage to the skin and the tissues beneath the skin. These burns are more likely in facilities that regularly use radiation, such as radiology or certain research laboratories.
Workplace Burn Injuries
Burns can be some of the most painful injuries that someone can suffer. The damage they cause can vary wildly, depending on the severity of the burn. Generally, medical professionals will describe burns as being in one of four degrees, based on their severity, with a first-degree burn being the least severe and the fourth-degree being the most. Some burns are also at risk of infection as well, along with other complications. The different degrees of burns are:
- First Degree – These usually heal in a few days and don’t leave a scar. Only affecting the outer layer of skin, they involve little more than slight pain, redness, and possible mild swelling.
- Second Degree – Marked by redness, swelling, blistering, and severe pain, these burns generally damage the first two layers of skin. They can take weeks to heal and could leave scars.
- Third Degree – These burns can leave a blackened, charred, or white look. They damage all layers of skin and into deeper tissues, like muscles and blood vessels. Scarring and long-term issues are possible, and treatment may often involve skin grafting.
- Fourth Degree – These are the most severe burns and can often result in significant injuries to the skin, muscles, tendons, and even bones. Treatment could require multiple surgeries and extensive rehabilitation.
What Could Be Compensated in a Workplace Burn Injury?
Treating burn injuries often leads to significant medical bills in Orange County, CA. The pain and recovery process can often mean needing to miss work time as well. A workers’ comp settlement in California will cover a variety of expenses based on the severity of the burn and the impact that it has on your life. Some of the costs that could potentially be covered include:
- Medical Expenses – Generally, all the medical expenses that you incur will be covered. This will usually have to be done through a provider that your employer’s workers’ compensation company has pre-approved. However, your doctor’s visits, medications, physical therapy and rehabilitation, surgeries, treatment, and other medical bills related to the injury are covered.
- Lost Wages – If you have to miss work, your wages will be covered within a range set by the state of California.
- Vocational Services – In some cases, a burn injury can be severe enough that it will require you to find a different career. If that is the case, then workers’ compensation will cover the cost of training and education for a new career.
The workers’ compensation payments may be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity of the injury. An Orange County workers’ compensation lawyer can give you a better idea of what you could expect to be covered in your situation.
What an Orange County Workplace Burn Injury Lawyer Can Do
An Orange County workplace burn injury lawyer may be crucial for getting the compensation that you deserve for the injuries you’ve sustained at work. Workers’ compensation is often a complex process. The insurance companies, usually from concerns of fraud, may be hesitant to pay what you’re owed. While there is a legal means of addressing this issue, it can often be complex and difficult to navigate. Any errors could cause a delay or lead to an outright rejection of your claim.
A lawyer can help you navigate the process. They can assist with the essential paperwork and documentation, making sure that it reaches the appropriate officials. If, as often happens, you are initially rejected, a lawyer can help you file an appeal. They can also represent you and advocate for you in any hearings and other legal proceedings that need to take place. They can ensure that every possible avenue for getting you the compensation that you need is taken.
FAQs
Q: How Long Will It Take to Receive My Workers’ Compensation?
A: The time that it takes before you receive your workers’ compensation benefits can vary wildly. If your initial claim is approved, you should begin receiving compensation within 14 days of the injury or within 14 days of the date when the employer knew of the injury. However, if there is any kind of delay in getting approved, that could also delay the payment.
If your claim is rejected and there is some kind of dispute regarding the payment, the legal process will need to be followed. This could cause delays that last for months, depending on the caseload and how quickly the legal process is working. One of the advantages of having a lawyer working for your claim is that they can encourage the process along.
Q: What Should I Do If I’ve Been Burned at Work?
A: As soon as you are aware of the injury, you should notify your employer and get medical attention. There’s a good chance that there is a medical professional who is associated with their workers’ compensation insurance provider. If so, they will send you to that individual. However, in the case of a burn, it will often be emergency services who are first involved.
Q: What If My Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?
A: If your workers’ compensation claim is denied, it does not mean that you are without options. Although it can be challenging to navigate, there is a whole legal process of hearings and appeals that is meant to address disputed claims. If your claim is denied, it’s critical that you contact a lawyer with a firm grasp of employment law.
Q: What Should I Look for in a Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?
A: If you are looking for a workers’ compensation lawyer, there are a few qualities that can help you find one who can most meet your needs. First, you want someone who has a strong understanding of the law related to workers’ compensation. These laws can often be unique and particularly complex, so familiarity in terms of both knowledge and experience can be critical. You also want to make sure that you trust them and feel comfortable with them representing you.
An Orange County Workplace Burn Injury Lawyer Could Help You Get the Compensation That You Deserve
The workers’ compensation process can often be complex and frustrating. That shouldn’t, though, prevent you from getting the full compensation that you deserve. Most people can benefit from the help that comes from working with an Orange County workplace burn injury lawyer, as you can find at Diefer Law Group, P.C.
We understand the complexities of the workers’ compensation process. Our firm helps clients navigate the paperwork and submissions, represents them through the process, and advocates for the compensation that they need. Contact us to discuss your workplace burn injury and get what you’re owed.
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