Highland Burn Injury Lawyer Advocates for Injured Workers

Experienced Dutchess County attorney advises clients throughout the area

Getting burned isn’t just extremely painful but can cause bodily harm that never fully heals. If you’ve suffered a burn injury at work, it is important to retain an attorney who has a long record of successfully obtaining appropriate compensation for others in your situation. At Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. in Highland, I give clients throughout New York State the comprehensive legal support they need to support themselves and their families while recovering from a severe burn injury.

Firm takes on cases involving all types of burn injuries

There are several different causes of burns, including: 

• Thermal — Exposure to fire or something else that is extremely hot can cause a thermal burn, which might destroy skin cells and underlying tissue. Firefighters as well as construction workers and restaurant employees risk suffering a thermal burn as part of their routine duties. 
• Electrical — A shock from a faulty or broken electric line is capable of damaging the skin in the same way as a thermal burn. Careless handling of items using electricity, such as coming into contact with water, also leads to electrical burns. 
• Chemical — Some chemicals used in industrial settings can be extremely caustic. Someone who comes into contact with one of these substances could experience a severe burn and other symptoms. Even a worker whose job is to clean homes risks this type of injury. 

Whatever type of burn you suffered, I will thoroughly investigate what led up to the incident and work to maximize the compensation you receive for your injury and its lasting effects. 

Legal considerations if you suffer a serious burn on the job

Employees who are burned in the course of doing their job can collect workers’ compensation benefits, which are provided by their employer’s insurance company. These benefits pay the full amount of medical and rehabilitation stemming from their injury, along with replacement of up to two-thirds of the injured worker’s wages up to the state maximum of $1,171.46/week. In addition, a large number of burn injuries in the workplace might be due to the actions or negligence of third parties. Arson, vandalism, poor maintenance by outside contractors and accidents from defective products could give rise to a personal injury claim against the liable business or individual. 

Common causes of burn injuries

Vehicle collisions, construction accidents and chemical leaks are just three ways in which workers can suffer burn injuries. Annually, about 400,000 people throughout the United States require medical treatment for their burns. Whether your case stems from a kitchen accident, an electrical problem or a fire that broke out because flammable materials were not properly stored, my firm aggressively advocates for the full payment you deserve. 

Degrees of burns

Burn injuries are generally separated into the following three categories:

• First degree — Red skin that has not blistered is a sign of a first-degree burn. Though there might not be permanent damage, these burns can still be very painful and require medical treatment. 
• Second degree — When blistering occurs on a victim’s skin, that qualifies as a second-degree burn. Affected areas might also have thicker skin than parts of the body that weren’t burned. 
• Third degree — In very serious cases, skin can appear white and leathery. Tendons and subcutaneous tissue might also be damages in a third-degree burn. 

Other potential consequences of a severe burn include scarring, infections and permanent damage that might require a skin graft and long-term medical attention.

Preventative measures that can help stop harmful burns

When people are working in a setting where there is an increased likelihood of a burn injury, there are several measures that employers should take. Sprinklers, smoke detectors and flame-retardant material should be installed where possible. Individual workers should be given gloves, face shields and other protective equipment if they are working close to scalding hot surfaces or might be exposed to a blast of steam. Whatever the specific burn risk entails, everyone in the workplace should be trained on fire safety protocols and measures to use in case of a blaze or serious burn. When reviewing a burn injury case, my firm investigates the circumstances to determine if complacency or willful misconduct contributed to the incident.

Contact a New York burn injury lawyer to schedule a free consultation

Peter M. Cordovano, P.C. in Highland seeks compensation for New York workers who suffer burn injuries in job-related accidents. Please call 845-640-3846 or contact me online to discuss your legal options in a free consultation.